Anthony Claggett
Is he the Anti-Pavano?
From The Desert Sun -
In the last few weeks, Palm Springs High School alumnus Anthony Claggett has had a lot of exciting phone calls.
The latest came earlier this week, when Banana Republic hired him.
It was exciting for Claggett since this is his first retail sales job, and just second “real” job.
Not to put down Banana Republic, but Claggett admits the call paled in comparison to the other calls he’s received the last few weeks.
“I’m really happy to get the job,” Claggett said. “It still puts a smile on my face.”
Last month, Claggett was involved in one of the biggest trades in this offseason in baseball. Claggett is one of three pitchers in the Detroit Tigers organization that was traded to the New York Yankees for All-Star Gary Sheffield.
Claggett was 7-2 with an 0.91 ERA and 14 saves for Class A West Michigan this season.
“I got a call from the Tigers, from (general manager Dave Dombrowski). It was quick,” said Claggett, 22. “I answered the phone, and he thanked me for everything, and that I had been traded in a deal with Sheffield. It came as a shock.
“Then 10 minutes after that, (Yankees GM) Brian Cashman gave me a call. It was overwhelming. It was neat to hear from him. He just welcomed me and he was ‘looking forward to having you here.’”
The Yankees were the favorite team of Claggett’s father Herb, who idolized Mickey Mantle.
It is also the team of Claggett’s favorite player, Alex Rodriguez.
“He was consistent all year long. He pitched a majority of the year with an ERA under one. He was baffling single A hitters,” said Matt Walbeck, Claggett’s manager for the West Michigan Whitecaps, which won the Midwest League championship this season. “He’s a great guy to have on a team and was instrumental in helping us win the championship.”
Claggett said he will spend his time this offseason lifting weights and will throw more as he gets closer to spring training. But Claggett was still going to have a lot of free time, so he decided he would get a job.
That doesn’t surprise Walbeck.
“He wants to keep busy,” Walbeck said from his home in Sacramento. “He’s as down-to-earth as it gets, and at the same point, has a really strong future in baseball.”
Working in retail, the difficult customers will prepare Claggett for dealing with the New York fans, he joked.
“I’m just trying to get a little extra spending cash and some experience,” Claggett said. “I want to keep busy instead of lying around the house.”
Reading this, I find myself liking this guy. He’s now on my “to root for” list.
Curious… How much does someone in Single A make? He will prob be in Double A come spring…
I like him too… Humbleness is always a great feature.
I think everyone needs to submit their favorite nickname for Carl Pavano. Mine is:
Poo Poo Pavano