Scott Podsednik spent Thursday afternoon with the UT Arlington baseball team at Clay Gould Ballpark.
FROM CBB NEWS SOURCE
Eight-year major league veteran Scott Podsednik made a visit to the UT Arlington baseball practice on Thursday afternoon at Clay Gould Ballpark to visit with Maverick players and coaches. Podsednik, who currently resides in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, Texas spent the 2008 season with the Colorado Rockies, and is among the major league’s best base stealers.
The UT Arlington baseball team is in the midst of its fall season, which consists of practices and intra-squads. The Mavericks had a pleasant surprise with Podsednik making a visit to their Thursday practice to discuss the game of baseball.
Podsednik, who was drafted out of West (Texas) High School in 1994, enjoyed his day with the UT Arlington baseball team.
“It was a lot of fun for me today,” Podsednik said. “I like talking baseball, I like being around the game. It was fun for me to come out here and to meet the guys and the coaches and to see how they are going about their business here.”
Podsednik has had a successful eight-year career, which has been highlighted by a 2005 World Series championship with the Chicago White Sox, and by being one of the game’s top stolen base threats. He was also a 2005 American League All-Star, and his 70 stolen bases in 2004 with the Milwaukee Brewers led the majors and set a Brewers’ franchise record.
During practice, Podsednik was able to give helpful advice to the players, including information that also pertains to both collegiate players and major leaguers.
“I think most importantly is stressing fundamentals,” Podsednik said. “I think at any level the team that plays the most fundamentally sound baseball is the team that is going to win. That is the case even on the major league level.”
Podsednik broke into the big leagues with an impressive rookie season where he batted .314 with 43 stolen bases while finishing second behind Dontrelle Willis in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2003. He led the N.L. in stolen bases in 2004 (70), and was second in the league in stolen bases in both 2003 (43) and 2005 (59). His impressive 2005 season not only placed him in the All-Star Game, it also had him finishing 12th in the A.L. Most Valuable Player voting.
A .271 career hitter, who currently ranks 24th among active players in stolen bases with 236, enjoys talking to young players about what he has been so successful at during his entire career – stealing bases and getting on-base.
“Being a singles hitter and not being a power-guy, I love talking base running,” Podsednik said. “That is one of the things I have had to improve throughout my career, was my ability to run the bases and steal a base. That is what has helped keep me in the big leagues. I love talking base running and how to steal bases.”
SCOTT PODSEDNIK:
– Hit walk-off home run of Brad Lidge in Game 2 of 2005 World Series… walk-off home run was the 14th in World Series history.
– In 2005, stole 51 bases ranking second in Chicago White Sox history.
– In 2005, led the American League with 39 infield base hits and 16 bunt base hits.
– In 2005, marked a World Series record eight at-bats in Game 3 against the Houston Astros.
– Drafted in the third round of the 1994 MLB Amateur Draft by the Teas Rangers.
– Made major league debut on July 6, 2001, at the age of 25.
– A .286 career postseason hitter, with 14 hits, three triples, two home runs and six RBI.
