azdad1978
Championship!!!!
By Jack Magruder, Tribune
TUCSON - Identified in the offseason as an outfielder who could give the Diamondbacks depth and versatility, Quinton McCracken is in camp on a minor league contract but in the organization’s major league plans.
While manager Bob Melvin reiterated Wednesday that he wants to add McCracken to the opening day roster when the time arrives, McCracken is taking nothing for granted.
In his 11th spring training, why change now?
"I think it is all about your approach. I’ve always had to work hard for things in the game and in life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way," said McCracken, who signed a minor league contract Dec. 7 with nothing more than the guarantee of an honest shot.
"If I was on the 40-man roster or not on the 40-man roster, I have an approach that has worked for me throughout my career — just come in, put in an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay and see how things play out.
"We still have another week and a half left. We continue to go out and work hard and have fun and see how this thing plays out."
McCracken was a valuable component in the D-Backs’ run to the NL West title in 2002, hitting .309 with 27 doubles and a team- and careerhigh eight triples in 123 games, and is being viewed as a situational outfield starter and pinch hitter, his stock high because he is a switch-hitter.
He is hitting .281 this spring while playing left and center but is most pleased with the way his right knee has responded to offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which he suffered Sept. 1.
"Things are progressing nicely," said McCracken, 34. "The leg feels good. I’m healthy. That’s first and foremost, you have to have your health. That old saying, you can’t make the club in the tub. Bat’s starting to come around."
McCracken is reunited with Melvin this season after they were together in Seattle the first half of 2004, and Melvin seems almost apologetic about their previous time together.
Traded to the Mariners for Greg Colbrunn after the 2003 season, McCracken got just 20 at-bats in 20 games before being designated for assignment on May 28, when injuries and inefficiency on the pitching staff led the Mariners to recall right-hander Clint Nageotte.
"With the club I had over there, there were very few guys to pinch-hit for, maybe one. With Ichiro playing every day and Randy Winn playing every day, it was just difficult to get him in there," Melvin said.
"And when you start out poorly like we did, you want to keep running that everyday lineup out there to try to get things doing. I’ll admit I did not get ‘Q’ enough at-bats over there.’’
McCracken, who spent time in both leagues with Colorado, Tampa Bay — he was the team MVP in 1998 while hitting .292 with 38 doubles and 19 stolen bases — and Minnesota before coming to the D-Backs in 2002, said he understood the situation.
"I respect ‘Bo Mel’ as a person and as a manager. It was fun playing for him. Different league. Different situation," he said.
"I’ve been around the game long enough. I’ve been No. 1 on the roster. I’ve been No. 25 on the roster and everything in between. Being a backup player in the AL is totally different than being a backup player in the NL. Unfortunately things didn’t work out for me over there, but this is a new year, new circumstances.
"I think my skills and my abilities are better suited to the NL."
McCracken hit .313 as a pinch hitter last season, including his first career home run, and hit .288 overall after joining the D-Backs on June 30.
"He can do different things for you. He can pinch-hit, lead off an inning, and you are going to get your matchup with him being a switchhitter,’’ Melvin said.
"He’s very solid in the outfield and can play all three positions. Pinch-run. There are a lot of things he can do in a National League game.’’
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=38468
TUCSON - Identified in the offseason as an outfielder who could give the Diamondbacks depth and versatility, Quinton McCracken is in camp on a minor league contract but in the organization’s major league plans.
While manager Bob Melvin reiterated Wednesday that he wants to add McCracken to the opening day roster when the time arrives, McCracken is taking nothing for granted.
In his 11th spring training, why change now?
"I think it is all about your approach. I’ve always had to work hard for things in the game and in life, and I wouldn’t have it any other way," said McCracken, who signed a minor league contract Dec. 7 with nothing more than the guarantee of an honest shot.
"If I was on the 40-man roster or not on the 40-man roster, I have an approach that has worked for me throughout my career — just come in, put in an honest day’s work for an honest day’s pay and see how things play out.
"We still have another week and a half left. We continue to go out and work hard and have fun and see how this thing plays out."
McCracken was a valuable component in the D-Backs’ run to the NL West title in 2002, hitting .309 with 27 doubles and a team- and careerhigh eight triples in 123 games, and is being viewed as a situational outfield starter and pinch hitter, his stock high because he is a switch-hitter.
He is hitting .281 this spring while playing left and center but is most pleased with the way his right knee has responded to offseason surgery to repair a torn meniscus, which he suffered Sept. 1.
"Things are progressing nicely," said McCracken, 34. "The leg feels good. I’m healthy. That’s first and foremost, you have to have your health. That old saying, you can’t make the club in the tub. Bat’s starting to come around."
McCracken is reunited with Melvin this season after they were together in Seattle the first half of 2004, and Melvin seems almost apologetic about their previous time together.
Traded to the Mariners for Greg Colbrunn after the 2003 season, McCracken got just 20 at-bats in 20 games before being designated for assignment on May 28, when injuries and inefficiency on the pitching staff led the Mariners to recall right-hander Clint Nageotte.
"With the club I had over there, there were very few guys to pinch-hit for, maybe one. With Ichiro playing every day and Randy Winn playing every day, it was just difficult to get him in there," Melvin said.
"And when you start out poorly like we did, you want to keep running that everyday lineup out there to try to get things doing. I’ll admit I did not get ‘Q’ enough at-bats over there.’’
McCracken, who spent time in both leagues with Colorado, Tampa Bay — he was the team MVP in 1998 while hitting .292 with 38 doubles and 19 stolen bases — and Minnesota before coming to the D-Backs in 2002, said he understood the situation.
"I respect ‘Bo Mel’ as a person and as a manager. It was fun playing for him. Different league. Different situation," he said.
"I’ve been around the game long enough. I’ve been No. 1 on the roster. I’ve been No. 25 on the roster and everything in between. Being a backup player in the AL is totally different than being a backup player in the NL. Unfortunately things didn’t work out for me over there, but this is a new year, new circumstances.
"I think my skills and my abilities are better suited to the NL."
McCracken hit .313 as a pinch hitter last season, including his first career home run, and hit .288 overall after joining the D-Backs on June 30.
"He can do different things for you. He can pinch-hit, lead off an inning, and you are going to get your matchup with him being a switchhitter,’’ Melvin said.
"He’s very solid in the outfield and can play all three positions. Pinch-run. There are a lot of things he can do in a National League game.’’
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/index.php?sty=38468
