Bowden: Renaissance Man?

by carp on May 13, 2008 10:06 AM PDT

The Chron's Jake Curtis published this article online today:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/05/13/SPOM10L4FO.DTL

In it describes Jack McGeary, who was drafted and signed by the Nats in the 6th rd when he had 1st rd talent. His contract, which is "way over slot," allows him to take classes at Stanford for 3 years. This, of course, disqualifies him from amateur competition, but allows him to play in the minors in June to whenever school starts. In his offseason, McGeary works out, conditions, and throws on his own (about 4 h/day).

" It's kind of a solitary thing," McGeary said.

Can this work?

Academically, he maintains a 3.5 GPA albeit with an "interesting" courseload while majoring in Classics (why he forgoes baseball to major in "Classics" is beyond me; isn't he going to school to have a backup job?):

Exploring the Death Penalty; American Literature and Culture to 1855; Management of Sustainable Building Projects; Epic Journeys, Modern Quests (humanities requirement); Sports Nutrition; History of Medicine; Anthropology of Medicine

How about baseball wise?

Legendary Stanford Coach Mike Marquess:

"I understand it," Stanford coach Mark Marquess said, "but I don't think it was a good decision for his baseball or for his schooling. But it was a family decision and he has a good, strong family."

Nats front office guy:

"He looked outstanding," Rizzo said. "His body is in terrific shape, his arm was live, the ball came out of his hand well."

"The industry is going to be surprised how quickly he develops," Rizzo said.

The agent:

"It's Jim Bowden's creativity; that's the best way to describe it," said Mc- Geary's agent (and former Stanford football player), Brodie Van Wagenen.

In conclusion, this is definitely interesting and kudos to Curtis for breaking an impressive story. It obviously takes the right person to be a self-starter and to not procrastinate. Also, I'm don't think this will work for position players. For A's fans, we think Justin Smoak; the well documented 16th rd firstbaseman with 1st rd talent who chose to be a Gamecock because the A's wouldn't pay him 7 figs. He probably wouldn't have developed without live pitching. In this instance, the A's just should have paid him, and I think the 2008 (100% baseball) A's would have got 'er done.

Poll

Will this work?

0 recs | Comment 14 comments

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Comments

SPRING BREAK! WHOOOO!!!

... Sorry.

My roommate my senior year was a classics major.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 13, 2008 10:24 AM PDT 0 recs

People still think Smoak didn't sign because Beane didn't give him $1M?

I mean, Beane was interviewed by this very blog and stated himself that Smoak had no intention of signing and wanted to go to college, and he was only drafted in case he changed his mind.

by mikev on May 13, 2008 10:51 AM PDT 0 recs

People still think Beane tells the truth in interviews?

by BlameChannel53 on May 13, 2008 11:01 AM PDT up 0 recs

Actually, yes

He’s very careful about what he says. He frequently will decline to talk about things, change subjects, or answer questions in a way that isn’t really an answer.

But I can’t recall seeing anything in one of his interviews here (or elsewhere) that has actually been proven to be a lie. Nor is there any reason to believe that the statement above was one. If someone thought he was signable, I venture to guess he’d have been picked before the 16th round.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 13, 2008 11:42 AM PDT up 0 recs

Different take

I think that meant “Smoak had no intention for signing under 7 figs, which would just be ludicrous to pay a 16th rd choice.” If Smoak wanted to go to college that badly he wouldn’t be leaving early, right? He was a 1st rd talent in HS, now he still is a 1st rd talent. Now, we could have Smoak and the #9 pick or whatever in this years draft. This guy is special (barring injury).

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on May 13, 2008 2:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Beane's wording

Was careful in that instance. And by saying “Smoak had no intention of signing and wanted to go to college”, that does not mean that we had no chance of signing him.

Beane didn’t say, “We offered him $2-3 million and he turned it down.” He said that the kid wanted to go to college.

McGeary had a price that convinced him. It’s possible that Smoak did too, and that Beane didn’t feel comfortable paying it.

by notsellingjeans on May 13, 2008 2:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

If Smoak wanted to go to college that badly he wouldn’t be leaving early, right?

What, you’ve never known anyone who at 18 was eager as all get-out to go to college, and then at 21 was ready to bail? I’ve known about fifty people who meet that description.

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on May 13, 2008 9:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

I assume you only know 50 people that went to college. ;)

by OldhamA on May 14, 2008 7:14 AM PDT up 0 recs

I feel like I'm

, but

Smoak didn’t go to college “because the A’s wouldn’t pay him 7 figs”. Smoak went to college because he wanted to go to college. Everyone knew he wanted to go to college, which is why no one picked him for 15 rounds.

Normally, a guy who is definite in his plans to go to college doesn’t get drafted at all, because it’s always better to draft someone who might actually sign. Smoak was good enough that some time around the 16th round you say, “Enh, I know he wants to go to college, but what the hell; maybe there’s a chance he’ll change his mind.” That’s why Billy drafted him in the 16th round, on the longshot chance that he’d surprise everyone and decide to sign after all. The A’s went to Smoak to discuss it, Smoak thought about it, and then he decided not to. He didn’t set some price the A’s were unwilling to pay; he just decided not to.

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on May 13, 2008 9:15 PM PDT 0 recs

Really?

I mean, you really believe that? To me, it sounds like there was a price…every athlete seems to have a price. Then, on what basis do you think he didn’t?

Two-thirds of the earth is covered by water, the other third is covered by Kotsay...in his prime...like 3 years ago.

by carp on May 14, 2008 6:02 AM PDT up 0 recs

the price

If it were me, I would say, “I want to go to college. I have no price. what kind of money are we talking?”

If they were talking slot money (where he would have gone), no i don;t want. If it were stoopid money. Well maybe.

Sounds like noone (including the A’s) was willing to give stoopid money, so Gamecock.

by Future Ed on May 14, 2008 9:18 AM PDT up 0 recs

I don't understand the appeal of McGeary's decision

Stanford’s baseball program is great and competitive in a tough division. Why not play with that team? Oh right, the moneyyyyyyyyyy.

“But it was a family decision and he has a good, strong family.”

One that will support him and his classics major when he “jeopardizes his development” with a stupid injury.

Roxbury Latin has only a 15-game baseball schedule, and McGeary had seven starts as a senior, striking out 80 in 40 innings.

And that is why he should have gone the college program route. He needs to develop stamina!

by cagrrrl on May 14, 2008 11:53 AM PDT 0 recs

You know what I want to know?

Why can’t he just get drafted and then go to college anyway?

What, exactly, is the big deal here?

This is why I like the hockey system infinitely better. Lots of hockey players are drafted, go to college and then come out for the pros none the worse for wear—and I have yet to see it suggested anywhere that college hockey, despite this violation of “amateurism,” is more corrupt/merciless/whatever the hell amateurism is supposed to avoid than college baseball, basketball or football.

The Olympics realized that amateurism was ridiculous bunkum in the 1990s and are better for it, now that it’s not necessary to live like a stylite monk for four years to win a gold medal.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 14, 2008 5:58 PM PDT up 0 recs