What a whirlwind!  We won it pretty convincingly and with a full team effort, which was the case all season.  Very fitting.  

Now that it’s over, the idea that we won the World Series is starting to set in a little more.  From a personal standpoint, my family and friends can’t help but mention it here and there out of the same type of disbelief that I walked around with … ESPECIALLY after that parade!  I look at one of our other bloggers, Heather Mitts, and wonder if she has the same type of “delayed set in” that I’m experiencing … though her trophy case is a bit more impressive than mine right now!  She’s familiar with Philadelphia and probably has a good idea of how insane that city can be in regards to its sports teams. 

The Parade:  The parade was hard to wrap my brain around.  It wasn’t just the massive amount of people, (2 million) but the heartfelt “Thank You” written on every person’s face.  It crossed generations and working classes.  The police and fire department men and women seemed to walk just a little bit taller and prouder, even in the midst of the 2 million fans.  We wouldn’t have been able to float down Broad Street had it not been for those officers directing traffic and crowds.  I have home video and hundreds of pictures … and it does it some justice, but the SOUND!  I was on the same float with both Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard.  Cole was the NLCS and World Series MVP.  Ryan Howard is in the running for the NL MVP.  So, I heard the chants M-V-P, M-V-P, M-V-P!!!  All day … four and half hours of fans letting those two players know how crazy they were about what they’d done in 2008.  Wow 

From a business standpoint, ShowcaseU.com has gotten more attention in the last couple weeks.  I don’t want it to be that way … really, I don’t, but using that little bit of PROLEBRITY afterglow is an advantage and I won’t say no to the business benefiting from it.  I don’t mind flying under the radar, but if my foot getting in a couple extra doors because I played on a World Championship team, it will ultimately help the student-athletes and their families in the long run.  That’s what the idea has been all along at ShowcaseU.com.  

So, I packed my locker a couple days after the parade, had the guts of my locker sent home and watched my 15-month-old little boy run circles around our clubhouse!  Season over.  What a year! 

If you have any comments, please fire away and I’ll try to get back to the comments. 

Chad Read More » | (4) Comments »

Joe Blanton, folks!!  What a performance!  He is a great guy, the type you really enjoy as a teammate. He’s also a very good pitcher who had a down year, by his standards, this season. This entire clubhouse in Philly knew he was capable of the pitching performance. The home run, though???  Wow, is all I can say!  He really got ahold of that one … Edwin Jackson ran a 93 mph heater right into his barrel and off it went. To tell the truth, after Hinske’s homerun, the momentum was in limbo and Joe’s homer put the momentum fully back in our favor. 

Ryan Howard showed everyone what all the fuss is about — that man can hit a baseball. When he’s staying on the baseball and working the opposite field, he’s pretty amazing. It puts so much pressure on opposing pitchers when he’s swinging it well. His production is enough to scare other teams, but (btw, Scott Eyre is sitting next to me and says “hi”) now the rest of an extremely talented lineup becomes even more dangerous.

You have to pitch to Chase Utley differently, which can be problematic. Meanwhile, Jimmy Rollins has been on base a lot the past two games … TROUBLE. I don’t want to forget Jayson Werth swinging it well and Pedro Feliz breaking the seal on base hits with runners in scoring position. Carlos Ruiz has called great games behind the plate and has also really swung the bat well. One last name. .. Shane Victorino. He has been amazing this postseason and he’s a big game player. I could go on and on and on.  Maybe I’m a little excited!!  

So, tonight … Cole Hamels vs. Scott Kazmir. It’s COLD in Philly tonight. I think gametime temp is 48 degrees. It felt that cold at 6:00 pm during batting practice. Needless to say, adrenaline will overmatch the cold, but I think it needs to be said. Where else would you want to be?  This is October and World Series baseball weather!  

If we win tonight, this town will make an attempt to turn itself inside-out!  It will be chaos, bedlam … and long-awaited. You can feel the excitement in fans both at the field and away from Citizens Bank Park. Fans thanking players for everything at grocery stores and restaurants.  I hope we can pull it off here at home, for Philadelphia and for this team and this organization. 

Tune in!  One more win.  

Chad Durbin

 
10/26/08

Wow! Game 3 was amazing. A walk-off win. A solid and gutsy outing by Jamie Moyer, and an amazing web gem of a play from the 45-year old (which was ultimately called safe and wrong).  Back-to-back homeruns. BJ Upton single-handedly tied the game in the 8th using his speed. Ben Zobrist played a 5th infield position in the bottom of the 9th in that do-or-die situation with no one out.

A very pretty and talented Taylor Swift sang a great national anthem. I even hear there’s a rumor that Tim McGraw secretly sprinkled his father’s ashes on the mound when he threw out the 1st pitch. It truly was an amazing night and great baseball game!

Back to business. Game 4 is now the most important game of the 2008 World Series.  If the Phillies win, it is obviously a huge advantage statistically and psychologically. If Tampa wins, the series is back to even and the rotations turn over. It would be huge to take Game 4.  Should be another good game. 

Home-field advantage may or may not have played a large role last night in Game 3. The Philadelphia fans are rowdy, loud, and fantastic!  They chanted the word “Ev-a!” to Evan Longoria in the 2nd inning … it was hauntingly loud. Garza, despite his ears being plugged, undoubtedly heard the roars and chants all game. I’m not saying it was the difference, but it’s definitely called an advantage for a reason.   

This would be a great one to win. 8:35EST on FOX.  

Game 3
Saturday’s are busy during October with College Football. LSU is playing Georgia right now and down 7 just after halftime. Any other year, I’d be a little disappointed that they’re not playing well in a big game (they’re not playing BAD, but they’re down. This particular Saturday though, I’m distracted … Game 3 of the World Series makes that big SEC game on TV right now seem so normal. 

Game 3 is huge for both teams. If Tampa steals one here, home-field advantage goes back into their favor. If we, the Phillies, then the “pitching mismatch” all the media outlets keep talking about has gone in Jamie Moyer’s favor. Jamie has been so consistent all year. We wouldn’t be here without his performance and presence. I think he’ll be up to the challenge … no one is more prepared. 

I hope you’re enjoying the series so far. Its great for baseball to have a good start to the series. 

Chad Durbin Read More » | (5) Comments »

So, World…You met Cole Hamels last night. He’s 24 years old, but walks, talks, and pitches like a veteran major leaguer. Some people are just geared that way. He’s special. 

Cole pitched 7 innings of 2 run baseball in Game 1 of the 2008 World Series. He put up zeros in innings in which momentum could have shifted. He had good defense played behind him and stayed in pitcher-favorable counts to put pressure on the young Rays’ hitters. It can’t be stressed enough how important winning Game 1 is in this type of series. 

So tonight, Game 2 of the World Series. Emotional Brett Myers makes the start for the Phillies and James Shields makes the start for the Rays. Two right-handed starters with tremendous stuff and the ability to shut down any lineup in baseball. I think the early innings will dictate the game. I know Brett and I know how much this means to him … for the players, for Philadelphia, for everyone. He handles pressure extremely well and feeds off it. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. 

On a personal note, I can’t wait to get into a game. I realize I can’t control that variable, but what an honor to run out on that field and pitch in a World Series. I warmed up in the 7th inning last night and other than my legs being numb, being close to vomiting, and loving every second of it (somehow) … everything was normal!  The nerves, though, are more from anticipation than actually being in action. Once I was up and throwing in the bullpen, my nerves settled to a manageable level. I also think it’s good to embrace and recognize that you ARE nervous. The only times I can remember being that nervous were at the birth of my child, my marriage and my Major League debut. In all cases, once the action started, I was more comfortable once we got going. 

So, I’m writing this while I’m in the clubhouse before batting practice of Game 2. This is all very exciting and there’s no way to downplay it. It IS exciting and everything you’ve ever played for … a World Series title. I’m grateful to be here and know how fortunate we all are. 

Cheer someone on in Game 2, but tune in!  FOX, 8:29 EST!

Chad Durbin Read More » | (4) Comments »

Let’s admit it, the Tampa Rays hosting the Philadelphia Phillies wasn’t a media dream scenario. Especially when compared to a “Manny meets BoSox in World Series” date.  I love it. I couldn’t be any happier about it! Okay, I’m as biased as humanly possible because I play for one of the teams. 

Regardless, I think the quality of baseball will be outstanding. I also believe its time for the rest of the world to find out about Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, Jimmy Rollins, Shane Victorino, Jayson Werth, Pat Burrell, Cole Hamels, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge for the Phillies. BJ Upton, Carlos Pena, Carl Crawford, Matt Garza, Scott Kazmir, Evan Longoria and the rest of the Rays. It is just time…so much talent on the field. 

If you’re still not interested New York Yankee fans?  Boston Red Sox fans? Chicago Cubs fans?  In a free agent heavy game, many of these players could be Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs or any other market in the next couple years. Here’s your opportunity to take a 7-game series look at it first hand. Enjoy!

Tell me what you think! 

Chad Read More » | (6) Comments »

This West Coast trip hasn’t treated me (personally) or the Phillies very well so far! I’ve blown two saves/leads in two nights and, in turn, have put us in a tie with the Mets for first place in the NL East.

Baseball will humble you and teach you.  It isn’t the failure that defines your character, it is the way you handle the failure.  Bouncing back is something we’re all seeing on a global level right now watching the Olympics.  The one thing I can guarantee is that I will put everything I have out there each time I pitch — sometimes it won’t be enough, but at least I can look myself in the mirror after competing.  This is a performance league and getting back to performing well is a process of much importance.

That said, the addition of Manny Ramirez and Casey Blake has certainly changed the level of pressure for some of the talented young players in the Dodgers lineup. 

The players hitting in the 7 and 8 holes were being asked to hit 3, 4 or 5 just a month or so ago.  Confidence is high in Dodgertown. We play 162 games for a reason, the season will play itself out and weathering these storms is part of it. 

On another subject altogether.  I want to wish one of our Prolebrity.com bloggers, Heather Mitts, and the U.S. women’s soccer team good luck Thursday, August 15th, against Canada.  The way their team has bounced back has been fantastic to watch and inspirational.  Good Luck!

–Chad Durbin Read More » | (10) Comments »

Four days off flew by like a regularly scheduled day off during the season. In the blink of an eye, it went from Sunday to Thursday. Now, I’m back on a plane headed for Florida.

During the season, I tend to be competitive both on and off the field. My wife, Crystal, is an angel for putting up with me. In the offseason, I can scale it back but the weeks leading up to spring training get the competitive juices flowing again.

The All-Star break is a way to recharge the mental and physical battery, so to speak. Although difficult, turning off that competitive nature for a couple days can be very beneficial. The All-Star break is the only time all season when we get more than one consecutive day off. Physically, getting off our feet for a couple days allows our legs, backs, throwing arms, and any other joints a much needed rest.

It’s funny, I see this four-day break as a microcosm for my offseason. On Monday (which would be November), I ate horribly and drank a Coke while watching Josh Hamilton hit baseballs seemingly further and higher than I can drive a golf ball. In the offseason, for two weeks in November, I let myself hang it out there and be a slob. I watch LSU football games and dive into my fantasy football leagues (I think I’m good but I never win… You do the math).

On Tuesday (it’s now December), I still didn’t eat well but wasn’t as bad as Monday. My wife, our son and I took a drive to the Jersey Shore to relax. I started to think about baseball a little bit, but was able to remind myself to enjoy my break. I came home Tuesday night expecting a fun, nine-inning All-Star Game and almost got a 2 for 1 special! In the offseason, December represents the hardest lifting and preparation for my body, but it is also when we go on a small vacation. Work hard, play hard…you know?

On Wednesday, it was like January, mentally I could feel myself getting antsy and ready to get going. I enjoyed the days off, but could feel the pull of the season. In January, I start to focus on getting my body ready for the spring training and the season. As the season creeps closer, as an athlete, you start to turn it up little by little. It’s fun to “get into character,” honestly.

Now it’s Thursday, and I’m on a team flight to Miami. We flew out at 6pm EST, so it was like another off day, and just like February in the offseason — the baseball season is watching our every move. It’s time to go and get into character, like a cowboy who feels pretty comfortable getting back in the saddle.

We open the second half of the season with three games against the Marlins and three against the Mets. The Mets are a half game out and the Marlins one-and-a-half games out in the National League East standings. I’m excited to kick off the second half against these teams. Stay tuned, right?

Break is over! Read More » | (7) Comments »

Jon Lester’s no hitter a couple weeks ago versus the Royals shows the pinnacle of overcoming off-field adversity and how it can become on-field success.

Jon Lester was diagnosed with anaplastic large cell lymphoma, a treatable form of cancer, on August 31, 2006. Beating cancer is a lifetime achievement for anyone, I can only imagine how differently a person must think after being told they have cancer, especially a young, talented major league pitcher. It truly puts baseball in perspective. Perspective, however we get it, is a good thing. Congratulations go to Jon Lester!

For athletes, being on the field presents an escape from reality. We don’t always need or want the escape from our personal lives, but inside the lines the variables we can control tend to stay more constant and consistent. The adversity on the field can be anticipated. I know when I’m choosing what pitch to throw that once I let go of the ball, it is almost certainly out of my control. Not a bad way to look at most scenarios…be prepared, work hard, and know that you are in control of only what you can control. Someone else might’ve done it differently and might have questions to ask about your decisions on the field (meet the press!). They have rights to their own thoughts, correct?

One guarantee, you cannot and never will be able to control what other people think.
Our lives off the field are different than our lives on the field. The variables aren’t as consistent.

Reality for Jon Lester on August 30, 2006 was that he was going to have to beat cancer. Bill Cosby has a quote, “Decide that you want it more than you are afraid of it.” I’m sure the fear of hearing you’re diagnosed with cancer is nearly unbearable. There is a point, though, in which you make a conscious decision that you want to beat cancer and live, more than you are afraid of it. Obviously, this is an extreme situation. Lester overcame extreme adversity. The approach, though, is inspiring and beyond admirable.

One more quote that I think relates directly and indirectly to the above:

Success is going from failure to failure without a loss of enthusiasm–Winston Churchill Read More » | (1) Comment »

That’s right, ESPN Sunday Night Baseball and away we go to Colorado! We are scheduled to get into Denver around 3am (four hour flight), followed by a fifty-five minute bus ride to our hotel downtown. If I had one superpower tonight, it would the ability to fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow!

That will not be the case, I can assure you. The reality is more like a 5am expected time of shut-eye. Oh yeah, that’s 7am Eastern Standard Time, in case anyone was wondering.

Enough complaining, I don’t enjoy hearing it and certainly don’t want a written account of my own. Let’s put it in perspective, two years ago I was in AAA-Toledo in the Detroit Tigers system and some of our bus trips put us into less comfortable hotels at less comfortable hours. I’m grateful to be here and understand what a New York Mets at Philadelphia Phillies Sunday night game means for promoting the game of baseball. These games are important and it is a small price to pay.

Okay, because I’m going through it right now, I’ll throw a couple more fun-loving complaints in (Keep in mind, I’m writing this all in jest). All that logic points toward the obvious, which is our next four days. We play the Rockies in Colorado Monday and Tuesday. After the game Tuesday we head to Milwaukee for two more. Is two games even considered a series? We’ll barely be in Milwaukee for 40 hours because we play a night game followed by a day game. Before we know it, we’ll be in Pittsburgh for a four game set, which will probably feel like a week-long series! Breaks up the monotony, right??

Last year, while I was with Detroit, we had an instance where the team left Detroit, Michigan to fly out to Oakland, California for a two game series. After the second game in Oakland, the team got back on the plane to fly back to Chicago. I can’t figure out how that made any sense in someone’s mind.
I guess what I’m getting at is that the people in charge of creating the Major League Baseball schedule couldn’t have played baseball. Plus, it’s entertaining to read about, maybe. No? Read More » | Write a Comment »

Athletic Recruiting is evolving. College coaches are limited in their resources. Parents are overwhelmed. Student-Athletes want more exposure.

ShowcaseU.com is a website with the resources, the community, and the connections. Read on as Chad Durbin shines the Prolebrity spotlight on his soon-to-be launched venture…

Athletic Recruiting is evolving. College coaches are limited in their resources. Parents are overwhelmed. Student-Athletes want more exposure.

ShowcaseU.com is a website with the resources, the community, and the connections. Read on as Chad Durbin shines the Prolebrity spotlight on his soon-to-be launched venture…

Almost three years have passed since one of my best friends, Jake Chapman, whom I played with in the Kansas City Royals minor league system from 1996-1999, told me about an amazing idea he had to bridge the gap in athletic recruiting. Jake started off by telling me about creating a database so that coaches can search by criteria to find the types of players they were most interested in recruiting. Height, speed, weight, velocity, GPA, SAT/ACT score, etc…if it is numeric, it can be searched for in a database, right?

Almost every conversation for the first several months was about how the website could leap into the current landscape, or current “webscape.” It was exciting, because the main purpose for all of these discussions was to help student-athletes, parents, and coaches interact and get in contact with each other. When minds are collaborating to find ways to better other people’s lives, good always comes from the action.

Now, let me tell you a quick story as to why Jake Chapman was so passionate about creating Showcase U (great name, by the way!). Jake told me the main reason for building a website like ours was because he and his family spent just shy of $1,000 on a recruiting specialist. He was going to get in touch with colleges, video Jake, all the great stuff parents and student-athletes want to see and hear from someone getting paid a significant amount of money to help with the process of gaining exposure to colleges. Here’s why Jake is so passionate. The man and his business of consulting families with the nuances of recruiting dissolved his company and kept the money Jake’s family paid for the service.

Jake’s mission? To create an affordable, legitimate company with ethics based from a deep sense of integrity. I couldn’t agree more with his mindset, that’s why I’m proud to say this site will make a difference because it is built through a deep passion for doing the right thing. I couldn’t help but think about Jake’s ability to turn such a bad experience into one that will make a long-term, positive, impact.

I’m going to try to give a quick overview of what the business is all about. Showcase U is an online resource and community designed for athletic recruiting. A website where student-athletes, parents, coaches, training facilities, trainers, instructors, admissions departments, equipment manufacturers, academic specialists, and other advocates can contact each other and interact. The resources there are meant to create a one-stop-shop for all people involved in the recruiting process. The student athletes will have profiles viewable by all members and searchable by coaches interested in finding the right fit for their programs. Each profile will have video capabilities, pictures, statistics, validation of statistics, and more.

The database of athletes will be searchable by criteria, meaning that coaches can search by vicinity, eligibility, velocity, and more. In addition, coaches will be able to set up email or text notifications, being contacted via text or email when a student athlete enters the database inside of the set limits created by each individual coach. Honestly, there’s so much more, but going on and on and on might be a little much because I’m so passionate and excited about it. I’ll leave the description where it is right there.

One of the first questions we are asked is, “Do you plan on any other sports?” Understandable question, believe me when I tell you we had the itch to try more than just baseball. We are starting with baseball because my current position in Major League Baseball and Jake’s seven years of professional experience gives us a bit of instant credibility. Combined, Jake and I have 20 years of professional baseball experience. Our contacts and expertise provide a tremendous platform for baseball. Once baseball has some of the major kinks ironed out, we plan to walk directly into building our softball database and content. Our logic being that baseball and softball have many similarities.

Scalability is a major focus of the company, because putting together the best possible service/product is our main focus. If we can build baseball and softball up to our high standards, introducing other sports is doable. Quality over quantity, right? Joel Welsh, Showcase U’s CEO, has provided wonderful guidance and direction during the period of time since being hired as a consultant in December and being named CEO on March 1st.

If there are any questions or interest, please contact me at chad@showcaseu.com or check out www.showcaseu.com for yourself! I’d appreciate any criticism or comments. Thanks! Read More » | Write a Comment »

In the last week, I’ve moved my family from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Clearwater, Florida, to attend Spring Training with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Detroit Tigers, the team I played for last year, hold their Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida, and I’d just gotten used to the layout there. So, it’s time to find the stadium (Bright House Networks Field), Babies ‘R Us, Super Target, Super Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office Depot, and more.

A new team, new teammates, new Spring Training, new league!?

In the last week, I’ve moved my family from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to Clearwater, Florida, to attend Spring Training with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Detroit Tigers, the team I played for last year, hold their Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida, and I’d just gotten used to the layout there. So, it’s time to find the stadium (Bright House Networks Field), Babies ‘R Us, Super Target, Super Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Office Depot, and more.

Babies are expensive, as we all know, but finding the specific monument to consumerism, in Babies ‘R Us, is apparently a big deal! I enjoy the process each year of finding the new places, the new faces, the whole deal…it is how I’ve lived since being drafted by the Royals back in 1996. I’ve done it alone most of my career, but there’s a new process now, with my family along for the ride.

I have a sixth month old son, and my wife and I were very apprehensive about how the 11-hour drive would go. He was a great passenger and did little to delay our stops, or cause any of his own. A couple blow outs, but diapers are made to be blown out, right? In fact, I can hear the little guy talking to himself as he wakes up this a.m., and it is adorable. He’s great and puts a new twist into the way I think about my family and my career. My dreams and goals have shifted and one of those dreams is to play baseball long enough so that Cade, my son, can remember Daddy playing.

The Phillies. I couldn’t be more excited for the change of venue, because the Phillies are loaded with talent and people of integrity. There’s nothing more valuable in any business or organization than integrity. The change of team is just another opportunity for me to meet great people and build long lasting relationships. The new Spring Training site moves me from Lakeland to beautiful Clearwater. The beach is 20 minutes away and knowing it is a short ride away is as good as being there, in some ways (minus the sand in your underwear, ears, and shoes!). One of the things I’m most excited about with the move to the Phillies is being in the National League. I grew up a Cubs fan and had Ryne Sandberg on a pedestal growing up. I watched those Cubs games and came to know the National League style of baseball. I’m excited about the double switches, pitcher’s hitting, and managers getting to utilize their expertise on a daily basis.

New team, new teammates, new Spring Training site, new league!? New excitement, new friends, new cities, new outlook! Still playing baseball for a living and loving it! Read More » | Write a Comment »