Sanchez Makes Statement, Fashion and Otherwise

By Paul Ladewski

POSTED: February 24, 2010

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BRADENTON, Fla. -- From the moment rookie catcher Tony Sanchez walked in the door at Pirate City, it was apparent the kid a lot to learn.

It seemed that Sanchez showed up in a vintage sweatshirt and his old Boston College sweatpants complete with uniform number, and even if he did so rather quietly, the combination set off sirens among the fashion police around him.

"We didn't look to cut off his sweatpants or anything like that Tony isn't that kind of kid," veteran pitcher Jack Taschner said a few lockers away. "We played around with him for awhile after all, he is a rookie then we set him straight. 'When you're in a big league clubhouse, be professional and look professional. When you leave, you don't have to be in a three-piece suit, but cut the cord with your college team. Wear jeans and a collared shirt once in awhile.'"

That Sanchez arrived in blue jeans and a V-neck shirt the next day was all one needed to know about his attitude, friends and acquaintances would tell you.

"He's 21 years old," Taschner reminded. "Obviously, he's a first-round draft pick with great talent, but he didn't come here with a big ego. So we try to teach him respectfully, because a kid like him will be around for a long time. You hope that he'll do it the right way and eventually pass it down to the next guy."

If that's the worst of the criticism, then Sanchez figures he's ahead of the game.

"'I'm a rookie, so the veterans wear me out a little bit, but it builds character," Sanchez said. "It's good stuff. I'll take it."

Other than his GQ rating, Sanchez hasn't disappointed anyone in his professional debut. Especially in infield drills, his quick release and strong, accurate arm have stood out in the crowd.

"It's everything that I thought it would be and more, easily more," Sanchez said of his first week of spring training. "I didn't think that I would catch for big league bullpens this soon, but it has been great experience. I'll just try to be a sponge. I'll just be myself and try to show people that I can play the game."

The early plan calls for Sanchez to open the season at Class A Bradenton, but if he continues to make an impression this spring, a ticket to Class AA Altoona isn't out of the question.

"I'm in no hurry," Sanchez said. "I just want to have fun and enjoy the process. If I start in Bradenton, then I'll work just as hard to get to Altoona. And if I start in Altoona, then I'll work just as hard to get to Indianapolis. The goal is to get here. The ultimate goal is to stay here. If you put too much pressure on yourself, you'll fail more times than you succeed."

Former Pirates catcher Manny Sanguillen believes his time will arrive sooner than later. Already Sanchez reminds him of a young Tony Pena, another ex-Pirates catcher and five-time All-Star selection.

"Tony looks very good. He really impresses me," said Sanguillen, a mentor for the catchers in preseason camp. "I like the way that he receives the ball. He's a good hitter, too. He will do the work to get to the big leagues. If he continues like that, he'll be there soon."

Until then, Sanchez won't lack motivation. At Boston College, hardly a baseball factory, he was one of the best-kept secrets in the country. When the Pirates selected him fourth overall in the most recent draft, the news was greeted mostly by blank stares and puzzled looks outside the organization.

"I've always been under the radar, an underdog kind of guy," Sanchez said. A lot of people saw me picked fourth overall and the said, 'Wow, the Pirates wasted their pick.' People were like 'Who's Tony Sanchez?'"

Such doubts fuel the fire, to borrow one of his pet phrases.

"Definitely, it fuels the fire," Sanchez said. "Everyone will have their critics and doubters. There's always a group that thinks they know the game even though they never played the game and don't know how difficult it is. I filter (the criticism) keep some of it out, let some of it in to motivate me. I don't let it get under my skin. It builds character.

"You'll always have critics no matter what you do. Make the best of it and be yourself that's what I try to do. I've always been blue collar and a hard worker. That's what will get me to the show and keep me there."

Blue collar? That will work just fine.

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