PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM
It came as somewhat of a surprise recently when all 16 competing countries in the World Baseball Classic simultaneously released their eligible rosters and Victoria, B.C.’s Michael Saunders was excluded from Team Canada’s 28-man list.
Saunders admits it was the first time since he was 14 years old that he could recall having turned down any invitation from Baseball Canada’s executive director, Greg Hamilton. In January he was still a free agent, but felt if he signed by spring training that he would likely be available. The 30-year-old outfielder then inked a one-year, $9-million contract with the Phillies, but opted not to play in the WBC.
“The way I describe it is, it was really tough, but easy nonetheless, if that makes any sense,” Saunders admitted on Thursday at Spectrum Field. “For me, in this part of my career and the situation I’m in, I have a responsibility to get to know my teammates, the coaching staff, my fellow outfielders. I’m the new guy here, so it’s my responsibility to get to know everyone, not the other way around. If I had been in Philly for a couple of years, it’s a different story. In this particular situation it was an easy decision for me, but nonetheless a really tough one.”
Four years earlier, catcher Russell Martin had faced the same dilemma with the Pirates and Team Canada. Martin just signed with Pittsburgh and felt it was more important to learn his new pitching staff than to break away from spring training to play in the Classic. He was roundly criticized for the decision.
“Everyone’s got an individual situation,” Saunders said when reminded of Martin’s choice. “Going back four years ago with Russ, he was a catcher at the same time, learning a whole new pitching staff. I think you could probably ask the same question. If he had been there for a couple of years, it’s a completely different story.”
It’s interesting how circumstances and perceptions change. With Martin now comfortable in his third season as the Jays’ starting catcher, he knows his pitchers’ tendencies and felt freed up to join Team Canada and play shortstop — before insurance issues intervened involving a minor off-season knee procedure.
Canada’s field manager, Ernie Whitt, talked Thursday about Martin’s imaginative request after he learned he couldn’t play. He now wants to help out in the bullpen, counselling pitchers for his country in Miami. Whitt, the former Jays catcher and now Phillies minorleague coach, spoke of the presence that Martin could bring to Canada’s pitching staff and catchers just in terms of advice and his knowledge of opposing hitters. Redemption may come in four years for Saunders, who will be 34 at the time of the next WBC and may have another chance to play.
As for his two-year stint with the Blue Jays in 2015-16, it was a roller coaster of emotions — fulfilling one dream by landing with his favourite team growing up in Toronto, but injured for most of 2015. He played in his only all-star game in 2016, then was platooned and suffered a slump-ridden second half before becoming a free agent. He has known success and failure.
“I saw both sides of the spectrum there,” Saunders said.
In hindsight, was there ever any anger about spring training in 2015, when he hit an exposed sprinkler head, then lost part of his meniscus and most of the season? An injury like that has a ripple effect on a career.
“It was a situation where everyone knows what happened,” Saunders said. “During the moment and at the time, I never really thought of it like that. My sole concern was getting back on the field as soon as I could. My knee feels great. It honestly feels like I never had surgery. I haven’t really crossed that point.”
As much as the two years as a Jay were important personally, they were also important to his family across the country — from Newfoundland to Victoria, brought together every night by the Jays. That part makes him smile.
“When I told my family and friends I was signing in Philadelphia, one of the first things they said was that they’re not going to see me play every day on TV now,” Saunders laughed. “Instead, they’ll have to get the MLB package, or whatever. I told them to get off their wallets and spend the 20 bucks per month.”
Saunders will play right field for the Phillies and hit in the middle of the order against all pitching. He is one of the veterans on this team that is flying under the radar, giving them a chance to surprise critics. Saunders likes it.
“The fact that no one’s putting expectations on this team, aside from ourselves, will allow us to just do our thing, which typically makes teams dangerous,” Saunders said with bravado. “I see a lot of similarities with my days in Seattle. . . . Experience is invaluable, and I think I’m coming in at just the right time.”
Saunders will get together with his ex-teammates on Sunday, when the Jays host the Phillies in the spring home opener in Dunedin.