Hammond helps others while dreaming big 

Joey Hammond is three months shy of 31 – middle-age for most pro athletes, the dawn of maturity for the rest of us males. With that advancing age comes wisdom, accompanied by knowledge.

Tolerance, realism, duty and a sense of contentment follow close behind in lockstep, like obedient soldiers.

This is not to suggest that Hammond is ready to turn in his spikes for a pair of warm slippers and his granny’s shawl. To the contrary. Hammond still burns with passion for the game he will have played professionally – and splendidly -- for 11 years. But, increasingly pragmatic, he also has come to terms with the capriciousness of his chosen profession.

His goal remains as it has always been, to play in the big leagues, but the journey – with its sights and sounds and smells, not to mention its denizens – has grown in appreciation, matching the destination.

“From a technical standpoint, the goal is still to get to the big leagues,” said Hammond, a guy we have labeled a Joey-of-all-Trades for his ability to play at least seven positions for the Phillies. “But I think if there has been a shift in any way it’s been to take advantage of all the situations and opportunities around that even present themselves here.

“For example, any player I might have crossed paths with, I’ve taken a little bit more responsibility and ownership to make myself available to these guys. That’s actually been more of a focus and more of a goal over the last year than even getting to the big leagues.

“Because I’m going to play, I’m going to perform, I’m going to do my thing, and I don’t even worry about that. Now I’m focusing even more on helping others – the Greg Golsons, the (Jason) Donalds, the (Brad) Harmans.”

Hammond can easily be generous. Over these many seasons it’s the old been there, done that for him. There is little he hasn’t seen, little he hasn’t experienced, some of it good, some of it not so good. To his credit, he deals with both with the same equanimity. Joey Hammond is not a guy you will find at an anger management class. He is one of life’s enthusiasts.

Oh, and did we mention he began this season with a solid .275 career batting average, that he celebrated a milestone last year when he went over the 1,000-hit barrier at 1,030?

So, yes, he can play a little bit, too. If he has any regrets, though, it is that he never has been given an opportunity to show his stuff at big league camp.

“That is a frustration for me, to be honest,” he said evenly. “It’s something I have fought for, I can’t tell you how many years. I’ve begged for it, verbally, contractually. I know that’s a major, major thing for me. For the last few years in negotiating a contract that has been a key point, more so than any finances or dollars. I’ve absolutely hands and knees begged for it. I don’t know what else to do.

“It’s not a matter of playing time, it’s a matter of being there for the drills, showing up early, being there for all the extra early work before the game even starts. That’s when you create the relationship with the manager or the staff and I know how important that is for me.”

It proved to be a springboard to manager P.J. Forbes’ promotion – at the age of 30, by the way -- to the big leagues with the Orioles, the team that drafted Hammond on the 25th round in 1998.

“It’s all about opportunity, right place, right time,” Forbes said, a mantra uttered by more than one frustrated minor league veteran. “And the right manager also. You’ve got to have people in your corner who appreciate how you go about your business, not that the Phillies don’t appreciate him, otherwise they wouldn’t be re-signing him year after year.

“I feel for him, but you can see the way he’s performing he’s still got a lot of baseball left in him. All he can do is put the uniform on, come out here every day and perform and put up numbers. Hopefully, eventually somebody will take notice and give him the opportunity he deserves.”

There are roughly 60 utility guys holding jobs in the big leagues. Can all of them surpass Hammond in ability, versatility and character?

“The utility position is unique,” Hammond offered. “I don’t think you necessarily have to be the best player. I think you have to fit the position according to the needs of a particular manager or an organizational style. It’s really hard to put a finger on whether one utility player is better than another because they’re not really showcased on a daily basis. You kinda have to have a sponsor, you have to have an in, some kind of working relationship with a manager where there’s some trust involved there. If you’re going to line up all 60 utilitymen and put me in the mix, would I fit right in? Absolutely, no doubt about it, but that’s one of those positions that’s tough to crack.”

Hammond’s faith remains true, but the rainbow begins to fade as your age turns that fateful corner. But then he turns his thoughts to Chris Coste, who discovered that pot of gold at age 33 and went on to write about his rambling journey to big league heaven.

“I loved his book; it’s him,” said Hammond, who was a teammate of Coste last year in Reading. “I can certainly identify with the grind it took for him to get there, and with the battles and the uphill struggle; and with trying to get a foot in and make an impression. There’s the year-in and year-out successes and not being rewarded, and being sent back to a lower level.

“But it couldn’t happen to a better person. Costey is just a genuine person. I talked to him a lot this spring. All the (big league) games I went over there he and I hung out a lot. He’s living it. If anything, he’s a blueprint, and you try to continue to do the things the way he does them.”

Rob Hackash, the Phillies PR director, has accompanied Hammond on numerous appearances in the community on behalf of the ballclub. So he has observed him in another arena, so to speak.

“Off the field, Joey is a lot like he is on the field – good at everything,” Hackash noted. “Whether the assignment is talking to the media, discussing his faith, teaching kids the game, speaking to schools or making a sick person’s day, he’s always there. He has a great perspective on life and impresses everyone he comes into contact with, no matter the role. He puts in so much hard work that he looks like a natural at everything he does.” 

As this was being written Hammond was batting .319 and sporting a nifty .462 on-base percentage. His walks (24) had far exceeded his strikeouts (14), and he was just Joey being Joey, and that’s a good thing.

Forbes sees much of himself in Hammond.

“He’s the same type of guy I was in being a grinder and just having to prove himself at every level," he said. "Everything he does on and off the field is professional. He’s the kind of guy you want your prospects to watch. With his versatility and how he approaches and plays the game – every day – the way he shows up and does his job, that’s what you’re looking for. He’s a guy I can put anywhere on any given day and you know he’s going to perform.”

Hammond has become resolute in his newfound approach to his baseball life.

“I’m not going to change,” he said. “I’m not going to become embittered about not going to the big leagues. It is my goal, but if that’s my focus and here I am in Double-A at 30 years old, then let’s face it, I would be a pretty bitter guy. If the main goal of a guy in my position is to get to the big leagues, then he’s going to be a pretty bitter fool, and I’m not bitter. That comes from the fact I’m playing this game, I’m trying to soak it all in, to take advantage of everything I’ve got and let the chips fall where they may.”

Wherever that may be, Joey Hammond will be just fine, thank you. As if you didn’t already know that.

This story was posted on June 6, 2008