Big Leaguer Leaves Even Bigger Impression With Cyclones, Eigsti Back, June Picture Montage

July 2, 2008   ·   Patrick Hickey, Jr.   ·   Jump to comments

Mets outfielder Ryan Church has spent the past five weeks at home watching movies and helping his wife take care of their newborn after suffering his second concussion of the season on May 20. Regardless of the 40 movies Church claimed he watched and the extra time he spent at home with family during that time, he felt somewhat incomplete.

Having a career season with the Amazin’s this year, Church was hungry to get back on the field.

In order for that to happen however, Church had to return to his old stomping grounds. A NY-Penn League MVP in 2000 with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Church would don the colors of the Mets baby brothers, the Brooklyn Cyclones, on June 26^th and 27^th before returning to the big leagues.

Despite being a proven big leaguer now, Church still remembers how important this point was in the development of his baseball career and said that he’d do whatever he could to help his young teammates.

“I’m willing to talk to all of them,” said Church, who was hitting .300 with ten homers and 35 RBI in 50 games with the Mets before getting sidelined. “I’ve met a few of the guys like [Ike] Davis and a few of the other first rounders and I’m here if they want to talk about hitting or anything else. I’m definitely approachable.”

Seen joking around with Cyclones veterans Matt Bouchard and Will Vogl before the game, it was obvious Church was an instant hit with the Mets Single-A affiliate. However, when the game started, he gave them a lesson much more powerful than words. Going 3 for 3 with an RBI and run scored, the 29-year-old showed no signs of fatigue after a month away from the sport and helped fuel a 4-2 Cyclones win.

“He’s such a class act,” said Cyclones skipper Edgar Alfonzo. “He spent a lot of time with these kids and did a great job with them. He played as hard here as he would have if he was playing with the big club. I was very impressed with how he played here.”

While the second game Church played didn’t go as well, with him going hitless in three at bats, he ran the bases and fielded the same way he would have if he was at Shea Stadium. By the end of the night, it was obvious. Church was ready to rejoin the Mets.

His teammates for the past two games would have been lying if they said they didn’t want to have him around for a few more days, but it was a lesson learned. Work as hard as Ryan Church and you’ll be in the big leagues one day too.

“It was awesome to watch him in batting practice,” said Vogl. “Anytime someone like that is here you have to pick their brain. I got a chance to talk to him and ask him about his approach to hitting. He told me to always stick to your game plan, whatever it is and you’ll be successful.”

For Church, the 48 hours he spent in Brooklyn served a purpose as well. Putting his surging career into perspective, you can bet he told his young teammates to make the most of the time they have in Brooklyn.

“This guys are really fortunate,” Church said. “I’m not sure if they know it yet, but they will once they move up and get a chance to travel around the country and see the rest of the yards. This organization really takes care of you at this level.”

Notes:

Jake Eigsti made his Brooklyn debut this season tonight. With Matt Bouchard and Josh Satin injured and Reese Havens still unable to play shortstop, the 2007 NYPL All-Star may be around for a while.

Links-

Box score to last night’s 2-1 Cyclones loss.

Video-
2008 Cyclones in pictures: June

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Photos by Ron Hatcher and Patrick Hickey Jr. Video by Patrick Hickey Jr.