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No matter where you are in the Owen Sound area, you won't be able to avoid the talk about the Crusaders in 2008. It's in the papers, on the radio, the TV and the street. "2008 is the teams last chance to win the beer", "Crusaders stars up for grabs", "Crusaders choke when the going gets tough", "Crusaders, the perennial bridesmaids of the Fishermen West", and so on it goes.
Expectations rose in early 2007 after the sale of the team resulted in an immediate improvement out on the field with wins starting to climb steadily. Unfortunately the Athletics of the past returned near the end of the season when a 6 game lead was whittled away to a 2nd place finish, ending 1 game behind Windsor. Things didn't improve in the playoffs either. A familiar story emerges, the same early promise by way of a 3 - 0 sweep of Port Hope and a 2 - 1 series lead over Windsor, eventuating in a 3 - 4 series loss.
Hidden away in their spring training base of Whistler, BC, have the players heard the talk? I spoke with outfielder Florentino Carol to find out.
OSST: What's been the focus for the team in spring training?
CAROL: "One word … speed. Speed in the outfield and around the bases. Playing in the outfield alongside Macca (Olin McKenzie) is going to make most players look ordinary, but even allowing for that we were terrible last season. We let our fare share of hits through as well as missing some crucial outs. Add to that the fact that we got on base well enough but not into a scoring position, well everyone except for Macca of course, so it's an obvious area to work on."
OSST: Have the players been listening to any of the 'talk' about the Crusaders upcoming season?
CAROL: "Well it's pretty hard to get away from coverage of the CBL these days so we've heard it all. We don't let that bother us you know, we're professionals and this is our job."
OSST: Would you say the 'talk' hasn't given any extra impetus to training then?
CAROL: "Well speaking for myself I'd have to say no. I mean that doesn't mean that I might not being putting the extra effort in at training for the same reasons, but that would be only because I've got similar thoughts. You know, I think I had a one of my best ever seasons with the bat last year so I want to emulate that form with both the bat and my fielding. I'm working my guts out."
OSST: So which 'talk' are you having 'similar thoughts' about?
CAROL: "Set myself up there didn't I? What I mean is that any of those things could happen, they're all very plausable. I mean this could be my last season here so I really want to have a good final shot at the beer, but then again if I'm playing well enough I might just be part of any 'new' plans the front office might have."
OSST: And what about other players, are they concerned about the 'talk'?
CAROL: "Yeah naturally we all talk about what could happen, I mean 6 years in a row finishing 2nd in the Fishermen West as well as 5 wildcards in a row with nothing to show for it. We're not getting any younger. Sebo (Jamil Sebren) has hinted at retiring after this season and wants to make this year a good one. And there are always a few more guys than normal listening to discussion of who might be traded where. It's funny, everyone's having Shaggy (Isak Markway) on about going to the Storm so that we can have a piece of him in the 9th, even the young guys are getting in on it saying they hope he's still playing when they're in the bigs. He laughs it all off. He even wore a Guelph cap yesterday morning when he arrived just to get everyone going."
OSST: Spring training, who do you think has stood out?
CAROL: "Jarren (Letendre), he's great, like clockwork. He's another reason why I've been working so hard during spring training, you can't help but be inspired the guy. I think he's going to play even better this year. Everyone could see he enjoys the break but give him a week of training and he's right back into the groove. And he's always got time for the younger guys, I'm just hoping I can stay in the game that well, that long. He might not be the fastest man around but he put in as much, if not more effort than others did. Bull (Ole Ducotey) and Breks (Auburn Brekke) have picked up a yard of pace too. And I tell you what, some of these young OF guys have got wheels, once they get a bit more spark into their bats I might have to eye up the DH role ... damn Jarren plays there and he'll be around forever. "
OSST: Finally Tino, how do you think the team will go this year?
CAROL: "I think we'll win the Fishermen West this year. When we do that we'll finally have that monkey off our back and we'll be after the beer"
OSST: I'm sure that'll please the fans. Thanks Tino, good luck to you and the team.
CAROL: "My pleasure Dorian."
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