Michael McKenry prepared for all challenges – MLB News
Faced with a demanding task, the preparedness is equally good.
The Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Michael McKenry is anything but fazed about the deepening competition he faces after his team signed free-agent Russell Martin. Coming with years of experience, Martin is likely to be the club’s catcher in the MLB `13.
But nothing has disrupted the composure of McKenry who was enthusiastically welcomed by the eager fans on Saturday at the weekend’s PiratesFest. Despite the uncertainty faced regarding the potential role in the future, his focus is on working assiduously
to boost the team.
The past year, McKenry was to play with Rod Bajaras – a veteran whose experience and quality play were known to all and sundry. With a solid resume, on the other hand, Russell Martin also commands same attention and respect.
More than anyone else, it is McKenry who is looking forward to this move. Like mentioned earlier, he has been dedicatedly working to improve irrespective of what the team decides about the future.
"Nothing has changed for me," McKenry said at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. "I'm still the same guy. I still want to be playing as much as possible. Whenever my number is called, I will be ready to go. Every single day, I show up at the ballpark
and try to get a little bit better -- for myself and for the team. At the end of the day, hopefully I did."
This past season, McKenry made 88 appearances out of which 81 were as the club’s catcher. The player, in his 240 at-bats, scored 25 runs and smashed 12 homers coupled with 29 RBIs, batted .233 with .442 slugging percentage.
His performance won the praise of the team management and the fans. Now that he will have another veteran playing side by side, McKenry is just bracing himself for the challenge, acknowledging the experience Martin has to his credit when it comes to this
game.
"He's a boost to our pitching staff. He can come in and help the team immediately. The guy comes in with experience, and you can't say too much about experience.”
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