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11-18-2003, 02:09 PM
I love Big. He's so excited. :D
11/17/2003 5:26 PM ET
Bigbie moving on up with O's
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/09/01/lYXLmGom.jpg
Larry Bigbie batted .303 and drove in 31 runs in 83 games. (Steve Matteo/AP)
BALTIMORE -- After making a splash in the second half of the 2003 season, Larry Bigbie has decided to alter his offseason conditioning program.
His first major step was moving from his Indiana home to Baltimore last week so he can work with Orioles strength and conditioning coach Tim Bishop. Bigbie worked out at Camden Yards last week in preparation for his biggest season as a professional baseball player.
"My family was disappointed," he said. "[But] it was a mutual agreement that this was the best thing for myself and my career. The workout that I wanted to do, I don't think I could have done at home. So it was something I had to do."
When Lee Mazzilli was named manager on Nov. 7, Bigbie was one of the players he mentioned as a possible franchise cornerstone. And Bigbie showed that type of potential in 2003, hitting .303 in 83 games with nine homers and 31 RBIs.
Because the Orioles sustained a rash of injuries in midseason, Bigbie took over in left field and was the team's steadiest player in the second half, hitting .323. Bigbie, a first-round pick in 1999, had been tabbed for years as the Orioles' outfielder of the future, but injuries derailed his opportunity.
Bigbie sustained more ailments in early 2003. He strained his right shoulder making a catch in Anaheim in May and then strained both hamstrings during his rehabilitation assignment and missed two months before returning in July.
Bigbie, 26, played two healthy months, finally showing Orioles fans what they had only heard about in the past. He ran the bases with fluidity, was a solid outfielder and hit with power. He said he now wants to sustain that momentum and produce for a full Major League season, something he has never done.
"I think by doing what I did last year -- put me in the position to have a good year this year," he said. "This is the biggest year of my career. If I would played crappy last year, I wouldn't have put myself in the position. So I have to take advantage of what I accomplished."
Conditioning has never been a concern for Bigbie, who is considered one of the team's top conditioned players. He arrived at camp last spring with 15 extra pounds of muscle but said his new focus is staying healthy.
"I am not going to try not to emphasize the weight as I did in last offseason," he said. "I am doing a lot of sprinting type of work, and hopefully that will prevent some of my injuries. I just want to be in shape and completely healthy for next season."
Always approachable for an interview, Bigbie won the Mr. Nice Guy Award presented by the local media on Nov. 7, the day Mazzilli was presented as manager. Vice president Mike Flanagan presented Bigbie with the Mr. Nice Guy award and brought a special guest, Mazzilli, who met his gifted left fielder for the first time.
"He said some really nice things about me," Bigbie said. "You wonder about what kind of guy he is. He has me excited about coming into Spring Training. I think we have a lot to look forward to."
[i]Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
11/17/2003 5:26 PM ET
Bigbie moving on up with O's
By Gary Washburn / MLB.com
http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/images/2003/09/01/lYXLmGom.jpg
Larry Bigbie batted .303 and drove in 31 runs in 83 games. (Steve Matteo/AP)
BALTIMORE -- After making a splash in the second half of the 2003 season, Larry Bigbie has decided to alter his offseason conditioning program.
His first major step was moving from his Indiana home to Baltimore last week so he can work with Orioles strength and conditioning coach Tim Bishop. Bigbie worked out at Camden Yards last week in preparation for his biggest season as a professional baseball player.
"My family was disappointed," he said. "[But] it was a mutual agreement that this was the best thing for myself and my career. The workout that I wanted to do, I don't think I could have done at home. So it was something I had to do."
When Lee Mazzilli was named manager on Nov. 7, Bigbie was one of the players he mentioned as a possible franchise cornerstone. And Bigbie showed that type of potential in 2003, hitting .303 in 83 games with nine homers and 31 RBIs.
Because the Orioles sustained a rash of injuries in midseason, Bigbie took over in left field and was the team's steadiest player in the second half, hitting .323. Bigbie, a first-round pick in 1999, had been tabbed for years as the Orioles' outfielder of the future, but injuries derailed his opportunity.
Bigbie sustained more ailments in early 2003. He strained his right shoulder making a catch in Anaheim in May and then strained both hamstrings during his rehabilitation assignment and missed two months before returning in July.
Bigbie, 26, played two healthy months, finally showing Orioles fans what they had only heard about in the past. He ran the bases with fluidity, was a solid outfielder and hit with power. He said he now wants to sustain that momentum and produce for a full Major League season, something he has never done.
"I think by doing what I did last year -- put me in the position to have a good year this year," he said. "This is the biggest year of my career. If I would played crappy last year, I wouldn't have put myself in the position. So I have to take advantage of what I accomplished."
Conditioning has never been a concern for Bigbie, who is considered one of the team's top conditioned players. He arrived at camp last spring with 15 extra pounds of muscle but said his new focus is staying healthy.
"I am not going to try not to emphasize the weight as I did in last offseason," he said. "I am doing a lot of sprinting type of work, and hopefully that will prevent some of my injuries. I just want to be in shape and completely healthy for next season."
Always approachable for an interview, Bigbie won the Mr. Nice Guy Award presented by the local media on Nov. 7, the day Mazzilli was presented as manager. Vice president Mike Flanagan presented Bigbie with the Mr. Nice Guy award and brought a special guest, Mazzilli, who met his gifted left fielder for the first time.
"He said some really nice things about me," Bigbie said. "You wonder about what kind of guy he is. He has me excited about coming into Spring Training. I think we have a lot to look forward to."
[i]Gary Washburn is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.