Mutka: Morandini pursues dream with Phillies
February 19, 2012 11:14PM
Updated: March 21, 2012 8:14AM
Crosscutters to Blueclaws ... Doesn’t ring a bell for most baseball fans, does it?
It peals loud and clear for Mickey Morandini, who considers the promotion a step towards his dream of managing in the big leagues.
“I’d love to,” said the former Cub before departing Northwest Indiana for Clearwater, Fla., spring training headquarters for the Phillies. “If not that, just the opportunity to coach at that level.”
Morandini advanced from the Williamsport Crosscutters, a rookie league team which played a short season, to Lakewood, N.J., where the Blueclaws start a 144-game schedule in the South Atlantic League on April 4.
His relationship with general manager Ruben Amaro expedited Morandini’s return to professional ball in 2011 after an 11-year hiatus. Both grew up in Pennsylvania and were teammates for five years with the Phillies.
“Full season, better quality, but a lot more travel (than the New York-Penn League),” is how the ambitious 44-year-old skipper sums up his next assignment.
The 14-team league is split into two divisions and spans eight states, including Kentucky and Georgia. Phillies who have passed through its portals include first baseman Ryan Howard and outfielder Hunter Pence.
Morandini’s team is based at First Energy Field, a 10-year-old facility which seats 7,000 fans. It’s considered the premier park in the Class A league.
Though he spent two seasons with the Cubs, the former second baseman’s heart belongs to the Phillies where he spent eight of his 11 big league seasons Highlights in the city of Brotherly Love include turning an unassisted triple play in 1992, leading off in the 1993 World Series and appearing in the 1995 All-Star game.
Morandini switched gears in 2011 after coaching at Valparaiso High School for four years. Staying in Porter County enabled him to spend quality time with his three sons before making a life-altering career change. They’ll remain in Chesterton at least until his eldest, Jordan, graduates from high school next year.
“He’s 5-9, about the same size I was at his age,” said Morandini of the budding second baseman.
Managing the Crosscutters gave the former Indiana University star a chance to employ the aggressive style he once brought to the diamond.
“I like to hit and run, steal bases, manufacture runs,” he said. “That’s how I played the game.”
What Morandini worked on in Williamsport was developing relationships with the players and in the organization. He also honed his coaching skill at third base, where most minor league managers roost during games. In Lakewood he’ll be dealing with talent ranging from 19 to 23 years old.
“You have to be patient, especially at the lower levels,” he said. “It was the first year for a lot of them, You’re trying to turn young boys into young men.”
Learning how to deal with situational baseball was another priority.
“When to remove a pitcher or when to pinch hit,” he said. “Things like that.”
Morandini wouldn’t be surprised if some of his rookie proteges join him at Lakewood.
“We led the league in ERA at Williamsport,” he said. “Hopefully a lot of those guys will make the jump.”
Pitching coach Les Lancaster, another former Cub, will join Morandini. Lancaster spent five of his seven big league seasons pitching at Wrigley Field.
“We weren’t teammates on the Cubs, but played against each other,” said Morandini, who helped the Cubs make the 1998 playoffs with career-bests of a .296 average and 53 RBI.
Lancaster spent most of his career in the bullpen, compiling a 41-28 record.
Lakewood has been more than competitive in the far-flung league, having won three South Atlantic titles in the last six years.
Crowning glory: What a weekend for Northwest Indiana wrestling, which dominated with five state champions. Four who finished unbeaten were Crown Point’s Jason Tsirtsis, a four-time winner; three-time champ Kyle Ayersman of Lake Central; and Hanover Central’s Paul Petrov and Steve Micic. Crown Point’s Tyler Kral, who took the fifth title, bowed out with a 41-2 record, and Merrillville runner-up Kourtney Berry was 32-1.
Frosting on the cake: Calumet coach Jim Wadkins received the coveted Billy Thom Award Sunday at the Indiana High School Wrestling Coach’s Association banquet. Thom coached at IU from 1927-45, leading the ‘32 squad to a national championship. His proteges included All-American Chris Traicoff, who pioneered Calumet’s wrestling program in 1939 and served as a legendary basketball coach at the same school in the old Calumet Conference.
Wadkins has guided the Warriors to more than 300 dual victories since he began coaching at his high school alma mater in 1990. His Wabash College resume includes 69 victories and three Little State titles. He was an MVP and co-captain for the Little Giants.
BracketBusters: Other than TV exposure and providing fillers for ESPN what’s the point? Having to travel two time zones away to Los Angeles for a meaningless late game Friday was a needless distraction for Valparaiso, especially coming into the home stretch of the Horizon League race.
Schedule it during the Christmas break or forget about it. Preferably the latter since I seriously doubt anybody on the NCAA committee is going to be swayed on Selection Sunday. It’s just another case of ESPN being the tail that wags the dog.
Comments Click here to view or make a comment