DaGreatOne Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 New chapter for Kotsay Published March 13, 2004 PHOENIX ? It was just the first at-bat in a meaningless exhibition game, but somehow the Oakland A's were still talking about it several days later. Here was Mark Kotsay, the A's new leadoff hitter, facing hard-throwing Bartolo Colon, part of Anaheim's $145 million winter shopping spree. Colon quickly got to two strikes but couldn't put Kotsay away. Seven two-strike fouls later, Kotsay drew a walk to finish off the 13-pitch plate appearance. A's fans, well-versed in the art of reaching base, responded in kind with a spirited ovation. Oh, yeah, Oakland won that game 26-3 as Kotsay, the former Marlin (1997-2000), reached base his first three times up. "That particular at-bat let everybody know that it doesn't matter what the name is or who the players are on the other team," says Oakland manager Ken Macha. "You go out there and grind it out, you can wind up on top. What a tone setter for the game." And who knows? Possibly for the next phase of Kotsay's career as well. He didn't really want to leave San Diego after spending the past three seasons there. But when the A's gave up catcher Ramon Hernandez and outfielder Terrence Long for him this offseason, it made Kotsay realize how much his new team wanted him. It doesn't hurt, either, playing a 3?-hour drive from his in-laws in Reno, Nev. Jamie Kotsay is due April 23 with the couple's first child, the future Grace Marie. "It's definitely exciting," Kotsay says. "I'm anxiously anticipating the day." Healthy again after a nagging back problem sabotaged his 2003 season, Kotsay is settling in nicely in a clubhouse he could have joined years ago. Back in 1996, when the Marlins took him out of Cal State-Fullerton, Kotsay ranked high on the A's draft board as well. Had the Marlins taken high school third baseman Eric Chavez with the ninth overall pick instead, Kotsay would have gone to the A's at No. 10. A year later, the Marlins held internal discussions regarding a bid for then A's first baseman Mark McGwire. Kotsay would have been the centerpiece of that offer, which the club ultimately opted against. Dave Dombrowski went out and got Darren Daulton instead, and the rest is history. Now that he's here, Kotsay is looking forward to leading off, where there will be less emphasis on his below-average power and more appreciation of his plate coverage. "I think it's a great opportunity," says Kotsay, batting .467 with nine runs scored through his first five spring games. "I've led off for bits and pieces in Florida, bits and pieces in San Diego. But now it's defined. I'll go about it the best I can." Throughout this four-year run of postseason appearances, the A's have had a traditional hitter just once: Johnny Damon in 2001. Kotsay, with his career .338 on-base percentage, doesn't fit the mold either, but he'll try. "I don't think I can be a prototypical leadoff guy," Kotsay says. "I'm a bit different. But they haven't had a prototypical leadoff hitter here the last couple of years and yet they've had success." Since peaking at 3.83 in 2001, Kotsay's pitches per plate appearance have dropped the last two years. What's more, his batting average when putting the first pitch into play, a longstanding strength, reached a career-high .410 last year. Can Kotsay, 28, keep jumping on get-ahead fastballs and still do his job as the leadoff man? "That might be a slight adjustment that I need to do, but I'm not going to give it up by any means," he says. "I think [A's officials]know that. They realize that. They're going to look at the numbers and realize I'm a first-ball hitter and I've had success in it. ... "Obviously they're looking for me to give them run production, get on base early in the game and see a lot of pitches." His defense in center field should be another plus for a team with a reputation, fair or not, of fielding beer-league bruisers. Kotsay's willingness to do early work with his fellow outfielders, for instance, has drawn instant attention. "Our defense in the outfield is going to be much improved," Macha says. "Kotsay has a great attitude. I'm looking forward to watching him." Kotsay found himself watching from afar last October as the Marlins made their miracle run to the World Series title. He made frequent calls down the stretch to Derrek Lee, Mike Redmond and Mike Lowell, old friends from the bad old days in South Florida. "I was rooting for them all the way," Kotsay says. "I was real happy to see a positive was reached when it was so negative in 98, 99, 2000. To see what took place last year, I was real happy for the guys. Maybe a little jealousy there, but I was 100 percent just rooting for them." Should Kotsay get his first crack at the playoffs this fall, he knows the same support will flow in his direction. Mike Berardino can be reached at [email protected]. Interesting that the Marlins had internal discussions about acquiring Mcgwire back in 1997. But nice to see Kotsay my favorite Marlins post 1997 era have a chance of making the playoffs this year. Article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest markotsay7 Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 Wo0t, another Kotsay fan. You know, I realized that all my favorite Marlins players have been right fielders. Sheffield, Kotsay, Owens, Encarnacion, Cabrera. And they all end up leaving. Kind of sad. Um...anyway...Kotsay's a great kid. (Look at me, I'm calling a man 12 years my senior a kid.) His heart and determination just always astound me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaGreatOne Posted March 14, 2004 Author Share Posted March 14, 2004 Yeah him and Conine are my favorite Marlins of all time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted March 14, 2004 Share Posted March 14, 2004 Mark Kotsay = Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catchoftheday Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 Kotsay is favorite marlins of all time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marlins24 Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 Wo0t, another Kotsay fan. You know, I realized that all my favorite Marlins players have been right fielders. Sheffield, Kotsay, Owens, Encarnacion, Cabrera. And they all end up leaving. Kind of sad. Um...anyway...Kotsay's a great kid. (Look at me, I'm calling a man 12 years my senior a kid.) His heart and determination just always astound me. Sheffield and Encarnacion :mischief2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG Z Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 Yuh i like kotsay to,i have a marlin's pin of him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinsMY Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 Yep... Mark Kotsay has always been one of my favorite players since he played for the Sea Dogs in 1997. It's nice to see that he's been doing well so far in Spring Training, and I think he'll do a good job this year. :thumbup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BIG Z Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 I wish kid kotsay the best,lol i remember in 5th grade he had highlight's in his hair and i wanted highlight's to lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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