Texas Tech University Athletics
Alums Take a Break from the Big Leagues
February 07, 2005 | Baseball
Feb. 7, 2005
By Jenna Sampson, Texas Tech Media Relations
Saturday's Baseball Alumni Game was more than a friendly match-up between this year's squad and former players. All 15 of the alums who made the trip back to Lubbock are on current minor or major league rosters, giving the youngsters a chance to play with some of the game's best. Former Tech catcher Trey Lunsford missed the game because of a pitching camp, giving freshman Matt Smith the opportunity to catch alums Travis Driskill, Steve Watkins, Steve Rowe, Blake McGinley, Steven Thomas, and Saul Bustos. Both bullpens were gunning for the win, and the varsity squad held the alumni scoreless for a 4-0 win.
Tech junior transfer Adam Lawford came out gunning from the mound in the first inning, striking out the side. The last K belonged to Oakland A's infielder Keith Ginter.
"It was an offspeed pitch. It was a good pitch. I didn't know what to expect because I hadn't hit live pitching in four months. I was just coming out to have a good time and see some of the guys I played with," said Ginter.
"I saw the new clubhouse and these kids around here are getting a little spoiled. It's great to see that they're doing well, and coach is making the program bigger and bigger and he's doing a good job with it," he added.
Ginter was recently traded from the Milwaukee Brewers to Oakland and is projected to bring a much needed pop to the A's batting lineup. The second baseman garnered National League Player of the Week honors in October, a big deal in light of the fact that he was up against fellow nominees Jeff Kent and the Big Unit. He hit .407 during the season's final week, going 11-for-27 with three homers and 11 RBI's.
"The biggest thing was just to go out and finish the season. The award I got was great, but I was trying to help my team win it and do the best I could," Ginter said.
Fellow alum Joe Dillon is headed to Big League spring training camp on Feb. 20 and hopes to land a spot on the Florida Marlin roster. Dillon spent last season tearing up Triple-A ball for the Albuquerque Isotopes and led the minor leagues in homeruns. He recently completed a solid Winter League season in Mexico.
"It's a fun time to come back here and see everyone. There's not too many of us old guys left, so it's fun to come back and play. It was a little cold, but we'll take it," said Dillon.
While Dillon has played in a few alumni games, former Tech All-American Josh Brady was on the alumni roster for the first time. Brady entered the 2004 draft after his junior season and spent last summer playing in the Milwaukee Brewers rookie league.
"It was definitely weird to step on the field again. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was here," he said.
Brady heads to Helena, Montana this spring for his first full season of minor league baseball with the Helena Brewers. The shortened summer season still gave him plenty of time to acknowledge the jump from the college ranks to pro ball.
"I think the depth. It's a lot more independent too. You're on your own a lot. You have to fight for yourself. There is a lot more pitching and everyone's a good pitcher. I'm looking forward to getting that first full season out of the way and seeing what it is like," he added.
Right-hander Steve Rowe took the mound for the Red Raiders from 1999-2002 and is now throwing for the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders in Frisco, Texas. Rowe pitched during the third inning of the Alumni Game, giving up a single before finishing off the side with a double play.
"Being in Frisco is nice because I'm back in Texas. There's a lot of family there to see me play and we had a lot of guys called up from AA so it's a good place to be. It all depends on the guys ahead of you, how they do. There are only so many spots in the Big Leagues. All you can do is keep doing what you're doing every day and make sure you're prepared and ready for the call when it comes," said Rowe.
While Rowe and his fellow alums are going their separate ways to spring training camps scattered across the country, one player leaves behind good advice for the current Red Raiders.
"Enjoy it while you're here because after this it's a job. Have a good time and finish up school because you never know how long you're going to play the game. Once the game is over, you have to go out and work and punch the clock. So enjoy it while you're here," Ginter summed up.
The Red Raiders will be doing just that when they kick off the 2005 season Feb. 8. Tech hosts the New Mexico Lobos at 3 p.m. at Dan Law Field.
