Some sports experts would argue that Florida’s warm year-round climate is partly responsible for many of the nation’s best baseball players coming from Sarasota High School while others give credit to the high school team’s coach. The Sarasota High School baseball team, which is called the Sailors, has brought home eight state championship trophies with coach Clyde Metcalf guiding the team during six of the championship games. Furthermore, just this year, three players out of five in the area who received the call to join a Major League Baseball team once played for the Sarasota Sailors.
Is it the Climate?
Sarasota’s climate does benefit baseball players. For instance, Florida players begin each season earlier than many of the players who train in other states. A 12 year old who plays ball in Florida will likely compete in the first game of the spring season around January 15. Kids who play ball in Georgia won’t begin until middle or late February. Ball players in the northern states generally start their spring season around April 1. Therefore, Florida players get more time on the field.
Is it the Coach?
Perhaps mentorship of youth plays a role? In 1971, Clyde Metcalf graduated from Sarasota High School. His dream was to coach high school baseball and create his own program. In 1982, he was offered the position of coaching the Sarasota Sailors. Upon receiving his dream job, he said, “This is a super opportunity, and it’s one I’m really glad to have and accept.” Coach Metcalf has been directing the team for more than 30 years, and he recently reached the amazing achievement of 800 wins. After arriving at the milestone, he said, “I think it is something that I will look back on in a few years, and it will mean more. I think the thing I enjoy most about it is that I have done it at one school.” Coach Metcalf helps each of his players look to the future by planning for college or a longtime career in baseball. This focus on the future may have a role in so many of the school’s players making it to the major league.
Clyde Metcalf is highly respected and admired by his players. In fact, back in April, Ian Desmond, who plays for the Washington Nationals, congratulated his old coach on the 800-win milestone by tweeting, “Congrats to Sarasota High School head baseball coach Clyde Metcalf on his 800th win. He’s a legend and should be recognized as such.”
Major League Players from Sarasota
When reviewing the Wikipedia page about Sarasota High School, scroll down to the section marked notable alumni. Out of the 23 people listed, 13 of them are notable for becoming major league baseball players.
The Herald Tribune created a list of the greatest high school baseball players from southwestern Florida. Derek Lilliquist is at the top of the list. His major league career lasted for eight years. Lilliquist made it to the pitcher's mound in 1984, and he finished with a 0.80 Earned Run Average or ERA. Lilliquist batted .432 and hit eight home runs.
Doug Million came in second on the list. The Colorado Rockies selected him during the first round pick in 1994. After being selected for a major league team, he used a portion of his sizable signing bonus to buy new baseball uniforms for the Sailors. Million was still working through the minors when he had the asthma attack that caused his death.
The newspaper’s voters selected Ron Scott as the third best baseball player to come from the area. The Chicago White Sox originally drafted him in 1990, but he turned down the offer and decided to play for the University of Florida. In 1993, the St. Louis Cardinals drafted him, and he played for three seasons.
Some Final Thoughts
Whether the credit for best baseball players goes to the climate or coach Metcalf, the fact remains that the Sarasota High School baseball team continuously gives students, faculty and the area’s residents a reason to cheer.
No comments:
Post a Comment