San Diego Padres’ Chase Headley has a vote of confidence from his club - MLB News
Chase Headley was not only a star for the San Diego Padres but for all of the National League in 2012, which proved to be the best year of his career so far. With two consecutive NL Player of the Week Awards, he ended up bagging the Silver Slugger Award
as well as the Rawlings Gold Glove.
The switch hitter smashed a total of 173 hits and 115 RBI’s along with 31 home-runs. The fact that he did so with Padres having Petco Park as their home field is no joke as the ballpark has been traditionally known to be pitcher friendly.
The 28-year-old knows that it was a special year and something that he had been looking forward to for a long time. He knew all along that he had done similar feats in the Minors and had what it takes to repeat the show in the Majors.
"It was a special year, no doubt about it," Headley said. "It was nice to have it happen because I always thought it could happen because I had done it in the Minor Leagues. I knew that it was in there. I knew that I could do more than I had done. But until
you actually do it, it doesn't feel the same."
He has gained praise from many in the San Diego Padres for his skills. Josh Byrnes, the current general manager said he was impressed by what was on show from Chase in 2012.
Former Padres’ general manager Kevin Towers, who is now associated with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the same capacity, says they knew the value of Chase in 2005 when they signed him. Kevin and his team knew that Chase had what it takes to deliver.
"He had great pitch recognition, a sweet spot for contact on his bat and he was a switch-hitter. We might have overdrafted him just a little ... but then again, he possessed all of the skills we wanted," Towers said.
His current manager Bud Black believes that he had to take time to understand his potential and capabilities to the fullest of extent. Bud knows that not everyone can realise their full potential right away as it was seen in the case of players like Mike
Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.
The hitting coach for the San Diego ballclub Phil Plantier was also pleased with the performance by Chase. He says that until 2012, despite having all the capabilities, Headley was unable to get his act together at the big stage. He had goals in 2012 and
was able to achieve them.
It is not often that someone surprises everyone like Chase has in 2012. He has all the talent anyone can ask for and it is for him now to continue making a good use of it and help his team in achieving greater success.
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