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Seanez offers relief to Padres
By John Philip Wyllie
September 26, 2006
San Diego--Without even trying, Rudy Seanez has become the answer to a baseball trivia question: What player has been acquired on four separate occasions by the San Diego Padres?
Seanez, the stocky, right-handed middle reliever would prefer to be the answer for the Padres in their quest to edge out the Dodgers in what has become a closely contested battle for the NL West championship.
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Seanez, happy to be home (Photo: San Diego Padres |
A year ago, the Brawley native enjoyed a one of his most successful seasons in a Major League career that began in 1989 in Cleveland. He pitched 57 innings for the 2005 Padres, compiled a 7-1 record and notched 84 strikeouts along with an impressive 2.69 ERA. It surprised many that the Padres didn’t make more of an effort to retain his services, but that is now water under the bridge. Since his August 31 acquisition from Boston, Seanez has appeared in seven games, pitched five and 1/3 innings, recorded five strikeouts, gone 1-2 and given up four earned runs. He is delighted to be back in San Diego on this, his fourth tour of duty. |
“I was pretty pumped up about returning here. It was a surprise,” Seanez said. “It was getting late and time was running out. I didn’t know if I was going to be with a team or not. I kept my fingers crossed that I would be picked up somewhere and thank God it was here.”
“I know a lot of players everywhere, but coming back here was special after last year and going through all that we went through to make it to the playoffs. Here, there are a lot of old faces. It makes things a lot easier when you have a lot of cool people to hang out with and work with every day.”
Known primarily for his breaking ball, splitter and fast ball, Seanez is one veteran that has never stopped learning. He enjoyed his recent stint in Boston and managed to pick up a few useful tips from their pitching staff. Seanez, now 37, could no doubt tell them a thing or two about how to prolong a career.
“I am still into everything. I do weight training and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) training. I just try to keep a good outlook on things as far as my age is concerned. Sometimes you can be too careful. My thing is to go out and play as hard as I can all the time, every time.”
Naturally, it makes a big difference playing for a contender rather than an also-ran.
“This is the best job in the world. Heck, you get to play Major League baseball and live close to home. It is exciting (to be on a contender) especially in the latter part of your career. I have had a nice career and if I can make it end on a great note like that, what more could there be? To finish it up with a championship is the way to do it.”
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John Philip Wyllie is a freelance writer. This is his first contribution to Vyuz.
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