My favorite time of year is upon us! The chill in the air and the leaves on the ground mean one thing to me - Playoff Baseball! Growing up a St. Louis Cardinal fan, it's been fun to see the Cardinals in the playoffs almost every year this decade. Still this year, my eyes will also be fixed to the Colorado Rockies playoff run, as former player of mine, Clint Barmes will be starting at second base. Clint was a player at Indiana State University while I coached at ISU. Although he was not the most talented player I've coached, I can't think of any that every worked harder every single day! It's not a coincidance that he is now finishing his 7th year in the big leagues. Barmes set a personal best this year with 22 home runs. The Rockies starting second baseman, Barmes has also started at shortstop and center field.
I use Clint as a reference a lot when I teach. Not on what he did when I coached him, but HOW he did it. By far the hardest working practice player I've ever seen, I recall many times how Clint would have to wrap is forearms in gauze before indoor winter practice because he had so many sores from floor burns received through constant diving. At a 6am indoor January practice, he played just as hard as he will this October on a national stage. Barmes also shows how versatility can make you so valuable. Barmes has the ability to play any position in the infield or outfield. I point out to all of my middle infielders, that you need to learn both positions because at some point the game may force you to switch positions. The more positions you can play, the longer you hang around the game. This is why Clint, who has marginal big league talent, will end up being a 10 year big league veteren. He plays harder than almost all players in the league, and he's worked hard at learning many positions. A good lesson for all those dreaming to play in October!
