Andrew Means’ Call-Up (Almost)

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Posted on 21. May, 2010 by Corey in All, Dayton Dragons Baseball, General Baseball.

Andrew Means had just completed another workout in Goodyear, Arizona at the Cincinnati Reds new Spring Training Complex and was starting his walk across the backfields towards the clubhouse. When he reached the fence area he was called over to the side by Field Coordinator Freddie Benavides and Hitting Coordinator Ronnie Ortegon. A few thoughts raced through Means head wondering what they wanted him for at this point of the day. Maybe to talk about his performance in the day’s drills or maybe they wanted him to get a little extra work in the batting cage.

None of Mean’s thoughts were correct, as the two Reds coaches told Means that he was needed the next day to play in the big league game with the Reds. He was told to be ready to go at 10 AM and to board the bus with the big club to head to the Oakland complex for the day.

It is common practice in Spring Training that the major league team will ask players in minor league camp to fill in or back up at their games, but nevertheless, it is quite an honor to do so. For a player like Means, who has never appeared above Low-A ball, it was an opportunity to showcase his skills in front of the big league coaches and hopefully leave a good impression for years to come.

After sitting in the dugout and watching all afternoon, Means was told that he would be leading off the seventh inning for the Reds. Little did he know, he would be facing 2009 American League Rookie of the Year Andrew Bailey. “I didn’t know who it was until later that night when I was back home and reading the game story and box score on the computer,” Means said.

The first pitch that Means saw was a high fastball that he swung on and missed. The second pitch was another fastball that he fouled off, and was quickly in an 0-2 hole. The third pitched missed inside for ball one. Bailey’s next offering was what Means described as “a nasty off speed pitch that I just stuck my bat out at hit to left.” The ball dropped for a hit as Means raced to first base.

“I had to do a double take to make sure it was a hit,” Means said. Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer Eric Davis was coaching first base that afternoon and congratulated Means on his hit. He then joked with Means that he was going to call time out and ask the umpires for the baseball so Means could take it home with him. That would be Means only at bat of the afternoon.

“It was a gratifying experience,” he said. “Looking back at the end of the afternoon it was pretty cool. It is a dream of mine to get to play in the big leagues and this is the first step.” He added that it made him think that he still has work to do to get there, and that he has to work that much harder to reach his goal.

The Reds coaches must have liked what they saw in Means, as he was asked two more times to appear in games with the big league team. Although he would not collect another hit that spring with the big club, he did have a thrill playing in a home game in Goodyear against his childhood favorite team the Cleveland Indians.

“I grew up an Indians fan and always dreamed of playing for them,” Means said. He met Indians relief pitcher Jensen Lewis in the offseason working out in Cleveland, and the two joked how it would be fun to face each other in the spring. Lewis told Means that if that happened, he would throw him a first pitch fastball, so he better “be ready to hit it.”

The two did hook up that night during the big league game, and Lewis kept his end of the bargain, throwing Means a first pitch fastball. Means fouled the pitch straight back, and both exchanged a smile with one another. Means would later ground out in the at bat.

Means is starting this 2010 season in Dayton with the Dragons but will never forget his experiences in Spring Training as he works hard and tries to climb the ladder towards the big leagues.