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| Bryan Sabatella Returns to LI to Continue his Pro Career |
“After 11 years, it took a toll on me,” said Bryan Sabatella as he reflected on his minor league career, which has spanned the country.
Now he’s heading back home to Long Island to play for the Ducks, close to where he played his high school ball, dominating for Shoreham-Wading River.
“It will be different in a good way–my friends and family will be able to come to every game.”
Sabatella played his collegiate ball at Quinnipiac University. He was drafted in the ninth round of the 2005 Rule IV draft by the Seattle Mariners.
He has put together quite a resume–hitting .307 with a .378 OBP, 45 RBI, 59 R and a league-leading 40 SBs for the Kansas City T-Bones.
Those numbers caught the eye of the Ducks GM Michael Pfaff, who lauded him for his on-base percentage and use of his speed.
After all these years in the minors, it would be understandable for a player to start losing his determination and will to succeed–but not Sabatella.
“To get picked up–no matter how big or small of a chance you have,” he said in regards to what his motivation is.
“The game is always fun…winning makes it funner,” he said. Sabatella has had the fortune of being on two championship winning clubs during his pro career.
“A lot of people have been drafted,” he said. “But what really sets you apart is winning a ring. Getting drafted was a huge day, but once you win a ring you physically have something. Not a big group of guys win rings,” he added.
Sabatella noted that he played with Hector Carrasco, a baseball lifer and former MLB pitcher for parts of 12 seasons with Cincinnati, Kansas City, Minnestoa, Baltimore, Washington and Los Angeles. He had never won a ring, until they played together.
It proves you never know when that day will come.
Sabatella will be looking to lead the Ducks to an Atlantic League title this year. This time, those closest to him can basically watch from their back yard.
