Major League memories

BUCK: Stephen, I have a couple of 2010 World Cup Jerseys Opening Days that stick out in my mind. In 1971 I was the Opening Day catcher for the Kansas City Royals in Anaheim against the Angels. I drove in a run, called a good game and we beat LA. Unfortunately I was sent back to Omaha and AAA following that game because they had made a trade for a catcher in the off-season that was going to be no. 1 and I needed to play at that stage of my career.

My second Opening Day memory was my first as a manager for the Jays in 2001. We opened up in San Juan, Puerto Rico against the Texas Rangers. I had played winter ball in Hiram Bithorn Stadium so it was a homecoming of sorts for me. Esteban Loaiza pitched a gem striking out nine while Shannon Stewart and Tony Batista hit homers that helped us win my debut 8-1. Great memories!

MARCUS ASKS: Hi Buck, in your experience, how tough is it for catcher to play a day game after a night game? Is it simply a matter of getting a good night's sleep and plenty of ice packs?

BUCK: The biggest challenge for a catcher is the mental aspect of playing everyday. I was never an everyday player but I know it takes a strong will to play everyday. A catcher takes a beating during the long six month season, but you have to come into spring training in great physical shape to stand up to the demands of the position. Jim Sundberg played a 10 year stretch in Texas where he averaged 140 games in the Arlington heat. He was a Gold Glover and an All Star so it can be done. You are right in saying you must get your rest, but the facilities at the parks and the convenience of travel in this day and age should allow a catcher to play everyday, even day game after a night game.
With over 40 years as a major league player, manager and broadcaster, Buck Martinez has experienced baseball from all angles. Now in his new role as the Toronto Blue Jays play-by-play announcer, Buck is taking your questions in a weekly blog for sportsnet.ca, Behind the plate with Buck.

STEPHEN ASKS: Hi Buck, with the Blue Jays set to open at home against the White Sox, I was wondering if you had a favourite home opener (or Opening Day) memory either as a player or manager?

DAVE ASKS: Morning Buck, what have you heard about in regards to the situation of landing Cuban SS Adeinis Hechavarria? He seems to have all the tools to succeed at the Major League level. It has been a long time since the Jays last had a very good all-around shortstop.

BUCK: Hechavarria sounds like a real interesting "prospect". According to the Jays front office he can play both sides of the ball, good defensive skills and the offensive upside to be a run producer. You are on the money when you say the team hasn't had a star shortstop for a long time. Tony Fernandez is probably the last all-star caliber player at that position. Hechavarria is like a college junior, so when he does begin his professional career in the organization it will probably be at high A ball or AA.

PAUL WILSON ASKS: What do you say to the baseball fans of the 20 or so teams who start the season knowing they don't have a chance of making the playoffs? Doesn't baseball owe it to the fans to try and create a more even playing field in the Major Leagues? The NFL has it right, couldn't the MLB copy what the NFL has done somewhat?

BUCK: Paul, I believe baseball is in pretty good shape with competitive balance right now. I know the big money teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers and Angels have more money to overcome injuries and bad signings, but if you run your organization within your financial means you can compete. Look at the Rays, Twins, Rockies and Tigers the last few years. They all made it to the post-season with middle of the road salaries. It is a fact that teams that draft, develop and promote from within create a sense of pride in the organization that carries them to great heights. A consistent philosophy of sound fundamentals, good pitching and defence still produces winning seasons and a chance to play in the World Series.

AL ASKS: Who do you think will be the "break out" player this year for the Jays? (If you consider that Adam Lind and Aaron Hill were break out players last year).

BUCK: Al, I really think Travis Snider is poised to have a breakout season in 2010. All spring long I have sensed a level of confidence in Travis that wasn't there before. He worked hard in the off-season to reshape his body, as a result, he is stronger but even quicker in the field. Young players put so much pressure on themselves to produce with the bat before they have the experience to be a good major league hitter. I think it takes about 1200 to 1500 major league at-bats before a player knows what kind of hitter he is and how the pitchers are going to attack him at the plate. Remember most of the athletes that make it to the majors have not dealt with a lot of failure throughout their career. How they handle the o-fers, will determine how they adjust to the challenges of facing tough pitching everyday. Travis also now understands there are ways to stay in the lineup when you aren't swinging a hot bat, good D, better base running and productive team at-bats. This will be a good year for Travis Snider.

ALLEN BAES ASKS: Buck, I have been a loyal Blue Jay fan since things began on that snowy field in 1977, and I have always admired your play both on and off the field. What is the single most important factor that Cito Gaston brings to the table as a manager?


BUCK: Kevin, there are many factors that come into play here. First I believe most talented athletes lean toward the more "glamorous" positions of shortstop, pitcher and center field. That's where all the kids want to play. And the coaches nudge them to those positions as they help the team in those critical spots. Catching isn't the easiest position to learn. When I started catching I was eight years old and pudgy, I looked like a catcher, so the Little League coach gave me a cup. I had no idea what that was for but I learned quickly. Young players may shy away from the position because of the fear of getting hit with foul tips and balls in the dirt. I don't blame them.

I don't think it is just the Jays that have a tough time developing catchers, it is a problem in the game. I talk to amateur scouts all the time that tell me "they just aren't out there" when they scout high schools and colleges. This is why you see so many converted players behind the dish. Jorge Posada, Benji and Yadie Molina were both infielders when they were young, while Jose was the only catcher in the family. Mike Piazza was a convert as was Pat Borders.

There are so many qualities teams look for from their catcher and the last may be offence. All of the post-season teams have "leaders" behind the plate who call good games, play good defence and have gained the confidence of the pitching staff. It takes a while for all of these things to come together and a lot of hard work so if a player can play another position and get to the big leagues he will take the easier path.

One final aspect of the challenges of developing top notch major league catchers is the coaching side of it. It is a very difficult position to coach. The nuances of throwing, blocking, positioning behind the plate and finally calling the game all take time, effort and training to perfect. There are a few good catching instructors in my mind but three stand out for me. Glenn Ezell who is now the Farm Director for the Detroit Tigers, Tony Pena of the Yankees and Gary Tuck of the Red Sox. You know who Pena is of course, but Tuck and Ezell are long time coaches who perfected the art of coaching catchers. Tuck helped develop Joe Girardi and Jorge Posada when he was in New York with the Yankees, and most recently continued his fine work with Jason Varitek and Victor Martinez in Boston. Keep your eye on Martinez to see how much he improves under Tuck.
Catchers are always a highly valued commodity in baseball.
BUCK: Cito has had the greatest run of any Jays manager of course with the back-to-back World Series titles and I think he is perfect for this 2010 club. He is at ease with the fact this will be his final season in the dugout which has created a very relaxed atmosphere among the players. I was not with the club last year when there was supposed to be some tension between the players and Cito, but I haven't seen any of that this year at all. Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay and many others have mentioned how at ease they are with the skipper all spring long. As for his biggest asset, I know it is his ability to instill confidence in the hitters, giving them ideas on how to get ready at the plate and in the on deck circle. He wants them to have a plan. Cito Gaston knows hitting. Robbie Alomar, who is a Hall of Famer in my mind, always said it was Cito that give him the mental game plan to become a great hitter.

KEVIN WILLHELM ASKS: Hi Buck, being an ex-catcher can you explain to me why the Blue Jays have had a terrible track record developing any young catching talent over the past 10 to 15 years?