WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22, 2005
SPORTS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
21
BASEBALL
Van Slyke begins major league career
Former Jayhawk reports for work with the Cardinals follows in his father's footsteps with his hometown team
BY B.J. RAINS
brains@kansan.com
KANSAN STAFF WRITER
It took two days for A.J. Van Slyke to realize what he was doing.
The former Kansas outfielder, who was drafted in the 23rd round by his hometown team, the St. Louis Cardinals, in last week's Major League Baseball Draft, was involved in a fielding drill on his second day as a Cardinal when a coach stopped him.
Even though he had signed a contract and was playing on the same field that months earlier was occupied during spring training by the St. Louis Cardinals, Van Slyke had yet to let it sink in.
"You're a professional baseball player," said the coach. "You guys should be making these plays."
"That's when it hit me," said Van Slyke. "I was a professional baseball player."
The situation was unique for Van Slyke. Not only are the Cardinals his home town and favorite team, his father, Andy Van Slyke, played for the Cardinals for three seasons.
In his 13-year Major League career, his dad was a three-time all-star and won five gold gloves. It was his dad who screamed the loudest in the Van Slyke household on draft day.
"On the second day of the draft, I was glued to the computer. I was watching and listening to the picks," Van Slyke said. "Somehow, my dad had gotten a hold of my draft number, and they always call out the number before the name, so as soon as they read the number, my dad started screaming. Once I heard them say my name, I didn't know what to say. I was almost dumbfounded."
Van Slyke signed on June 10, for a salary of $1,100 a month, and reported to extended spring training, held at the spring training complex of the St. Louis Cardinals, in Jupiter, Fla. After a week and a half of getting to know all of the fellow draft picks, they broke camp on June 18. Van Slyke was sent to Johnson City, Tenn., the Cardinals Rookie League affiliate.
The transition from college baseball to professional baseball is not the only transition that Van Slyke had to make.
"The Cardinals called the day before the draft, and asked me if I could play first base," Van Slyke said. "I told them I had never played it, but I was sure it was a transition I could make."
The switch was not easy for Van Slyke at first, who used the help of his new coaches to quickly learn his new position.
"At first it was tough. I took a lot of balls off of my chest," said Van Slyke. "The coaches have been helping me a lot. The difference in one week is like night and day.Today, I only missed one."
After a week of playing professional baseball, Van Slyke was happy with how things were going.
"The first week has been great," Van Slyke said. "It's been really hot. We get to the park about 7 or 7:30 and are on the field by 8:30. We have been practicing fundamentals, infield plays, bunts, learning how the organization wants things done. Then we take batting practice and scrimmage."
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
Left fielder A.J. Van Slyke falls reaches for a fly ball during the series finale against Texas, May 8. Van Slyke was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals last week.
Monday 14" CHEESE PIZZA $3.99
Tuesday BUY ONE POKEY STIX,GET ONE FOR $0.99
Wednesday $0.50 PEPPERONI ROLLS
Thursday 16" CHEESE PIZZA $5.99
Fast, Delivery or Carry-out. We Deliver the Latest!
841-5000
1445 W 23RD ST.
Next to Jock's Nitch "Hawk Zone"