Nice piece on Jason Wood...

Isotopes: Solid as Wood

At 36 and starting his 16th season in pro baseball, Jason Wood isn't ready to put down his bat. He's a top slugger for the 'Topes, and he's still getting looks from the Marlins

By Jeremy Fowler

Tribune Reporter

April 6, 2006

Albuquerque Isotopes third baseman Jason Wood isn't ready to change his career or give up on his baseball dream, even though opportunities to do so keep cropping up - and time might be running short.

"If I hit a point where I'm not enjoying what I'm doing, then I'll consider something else," Wood said.

"But I've busted my (butt) for this game, and I have to believe there's something more for me."

Wood, a journeyman minor leaguer, will begin his 16th season in professional baseball today in the Isotopes' season opener at Iowa.

Jason Wood has toiled in the minors for most of his 15 seasons in professional baseball, but the Albuquerque Isotopes third baseman isn't ready to accept a role change from player to coach anytime soon. "If I hit a point where I'm not enjoying what I'm doing, then I'll consider something else," Wood said. (Craig Fritz/Tribune)

The 'Topes, in their fourth season in Albuquerque, return to Isotopes Park on April 14 for the home opener against New Orleans.

Wood, the 2003 and 2005 Isotopes MVP, will be among the familiar faces in the lineup.

The 36-year-old has reached a stage in his career when most ballplayers have either moved on to the big leagues or to other professions.

For now, Wood is content to keep dreaming, keep playing, keep clinging to that "something more."

In 15 years, Wood has had 68 major league at-bats with the Oakland A's and the Detroit Tigers, a brief tease easily surpassed by his 5,993 trips to the plate in the minors, mostly in Triple-A.

Wood admits he's considered doing something else to earn a living, even working in the family crop insurance business back in his hometown of Fresno, Calif. He says he might enjoy coaching baseball someday, too, just not yet.

During the offseason, Wood entertained a coaching offer from Fresno State University. Wood's close friend is Fresno State pitching coach Bobby Jones, and the two have discussed whether he might want to join the Bulldogs when his playing career is over.

He also has options to coach infielders with the parent Florida Marlins or other big-league teams.

Jason Wood has been one of the most successful Isotopes, hitting .301 with 21 homers in 2005 in his continuing effort to prove he belongs in the big leagues. (Craig Fritz/Tribune)

"I take pride in what I do," Wood said. "I'm not a rah-rah guy, but if people want to follow what I do, they can."

When asked if Wood will make a good coach someday, Albuquerque Isotopes manager Dean Treanor said: "No question."

Treanor, however, plans to postpone Wood's coaching days for as long as possible.

"His playing days aren't over," Treanor said. "He'll be a great coach in the sense that you can have somebody on the team that has a steady influence on somebody, but he can still do that as a player."

He can still hit, too. Wood finished 2005 with a .301 batting average, 21 homers and 77 RBIs.

His enthusiasm for the game and desire to compete remain as strong as rookies half his age.

Still, Wood realizes the rigorous lifestyle of a minor leaguer has caused him to miss out on a typical family life.

He and his wife, Sissy, have a 3-year-old, a 2-year-old and a new-born daughter. Wood's job requires him to be away from his family more than he would like, and he isn't compensated financially as generously as his big-league counterparts.

"The (children) are starting to realize Daddy's not there all the time," Wood said. "That's a factor for me."

Despite the constant travel, baseball still holds promise for Wood, even at the highest level.

Wood's performance in spring training merited serious looks from the Marlins, Treanor said.

The versatile infielder can play third, second or first base. The Marlins have All-Star Miguel Cabrera at third and Isotope Jason Stokes, a touted prospect, backing up Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs. But if relatively unknown Dan Uggla doesn't produce, Wood could be a viable option at second.

"He's still in that picture," Treanor said. "At the level he's still playing, he should be."

Wood hasn't appeared in the majors since 1999 with Detroit. He hit .159 in 44 at-bats.

That was a long time ago, of course. Besides, years don't matter when you're still playing with the vibrant effort of a Little Leaguer.

"I'm still successful at what I do," Wood said. "I wish I was at the top of the chain of my profession, but I want to get back there."