The Sporkball Journals

Putting It Out There

June 22nd, 2008

June 22, 2008 — I’m facing a bit a quandary over one of my fave players this season, relief pitcher for the Portland Beavers, #33, Dirk [Von] Hayhurst, RHP. [Don't ask me why he usually chooses to omit the social-class identifier.Maybe because Misadventures of the Minor-League Nobility wouldn't get as much press. Personally, I think it's got a nice ring to it.] Anyway, he’s becoming quite the celebrity in the player blogosphere. And he certainly deserves the attention—The Canton Kid could and should make a living as a writer when he hangs up cleats. I’ve got his blog under my “Favorite Links” and I strongly recommend you check out his work.

At the same time though, I can’t help but think that all this focus on Dirk the Writer seems to be at the cost of Dirk the Athlete. Despite the fact that Hayhurst’s official job title is in fact, professional ballplayer, it seems as though many people (including professional sportswriters) find so much novelty in this young man’s not being a “typical jock” they have overlooked his credibility as a pitcher, and a noteworthy one at that.

Hayhurst’s writing style is self-effacing, introspective and occasionally, brutally honest. He addresses his topics with heartfelt passion; clearly he cares about many things before, during and long after “Play Ball!” It makes me wonder. In the macho world of sports, you are not supposed to show cracks in the armor. You are supposed to maintain your focus on the job at hand. By exposing himself thusly, might Hayhurst be setting the table for the label of “head case?” Or worse, the dreaded write-off of “not serious about baseball?”

BTW, I’m not saying Hayhurst should stop writing or quit following whatever muse his heart desires. And heaven knows we need more thoughtful, compassionate people in the world, whether they throw 90-mph fastballs or not. Nor am I saying Hayhurst should stop with this sensitive-guy self-reflection stuff and focus on the manly sport of baseball.

What I am in fact proposing is the rest of us should be able to appreciate his exceptional achievements in both categories—his compassion and intelligence as a human being, as well as his athleticism and professionalism as a ballplayer. This seems to be the point longtime Portland broadcaster Rich Burk has been making throughout the season. In an interesting June 1st interview (hour:minute marker 0:40) with Strength and Conditioning Coach Mark Brennan, Burk asked, “Who is the hardest working pitcher on the team?” Without a second’s hesitation, Brennan named Hayhurst.

Of course Burk mentions the blogs as well; however, he’s not offering the information as some nice-guy consolation prize to make up for a lack of athletic ability. Burk regularly makes note of Hayhurst’s pitching tools (marker 1:57-2:02)—fastball, curve, slider, changeup—which he is comfortable throwing for strikes under any number of situations.

Hayhurst does a very good job of managing his pitch count, going after hitters with quiet confidence, as in a rare spot start on May 29. [Warning: this links to an internet TV broadcast and requires a $6.95 one-month subscription to view. The good news is you have unlimited access for the month.] To illustrate, below are pitch locations for Hayhurst’s 14-pitch, 3-strikeout, bottom-of-the-4th inning of that start. You also can view a complete, pitch-by-pitch replay on MiLB.com Gameday. [requires registration, Gameday viewing is free.]

I’ve made snarky remarks about statisticians in previous posts. Well guys and dolls, I’m about to eat crow. As of June 9th, there were 249 PCL pitchers (starters and relievers) who had appeared in at least 9 innings. With 43.2 IP, Hayhurst ranks 65th or within the top 26% percentile of this group. Compared to all PCL pitchers with at at least 27 IP (130, starters and relievers) through June 9th, Hayhurst’s performance metrics are as follows:

[I should point out that as soon as I put together this analysis, Hayhurst had a truly horrendous outing—7 runs in one-third of an inning—in the Las Vegas “House of Horrors.” Jeez #33, are you trying to make me look like a raving loony? It's not like I need the help. Sigh! Since then, he has bounced back nicely and pitched like his usual self. ]

Now these are some pretty good numbers, and yet, all we seem to hear about is praise for this young man’s future as a writer. Aren’t we getting a bit ahead of ourselves?

You know, I have to agree with Burk. No one becomes a ballplayer as a diversion from writing. Here’s what I think, FWIW. . . .behind that “golly gee” online persona beats the heart of a fiercely competitive, hard-working and dead-serious professional athlete. There’s nothing bush-league about Hayhurst’s desire to succeed as a ballplayer. He just happens to be more honest than most about there being other things going on in his life.

By now you realize that I’ve managed to sneak in an unscheduled Lady’s Choice. Seems appropriate for the ballplayer most likely to be named “Free Spirit of the Month.” Except this Player Pick is not about the intangibles, but for a gifted ballplayer who certainly seems to deserve some serious looks for his pitching. Bye for now!

Entry Filed under: Minor Leagues