SURPRISE, ARIZ. -- Walking in to the Texas Rangers' clubhouse felt good. It was very similar in feel as walking into the Maryvale clubhouse in the 2008 season. That season we knew we were good. The staff was a good group, the players liked each other and there was no ominous presence to contend with.
In 2003-07 with Tampa the clubhouse had an odd feel, a very unsure and uneasy feeling. Last year's Miami experience was ... well, it was an experience. It's a good feeling when you walk in to a clubhouse that knows its going to have a great year. I am excited, and I hope to be a part of it.
Unlike the last two times I have been a member of a new organization I have steered clear of reading up on my teammates this time around. I have not looked at any depth chart or any "who's who" list of the Rangers pitching staff. I have changed the mindset to one of just focusing on myself as a Ranger, rather than the Rangers versus myself.
Not knowing much about my teammates is a good thing. Baseball is a business, not to mention, a hard game to play. The less you have to worry about the better. The last thing I need to think about is when a guy got drafted and how much money they gave him.
Lucky number 49: I walked into camp today and saw my locker. In the locker hung a number 49 jersey. I was a bit surprised. I have always been 37 or 73 in honor of my family. (Brother Marcus McClung Virginia Tech football No. 37, Brother Sam McClung Tusculum College football No. 73). No. 37 is taken and number 73 is open but it is hard to be number 73 in spring. The average Joe who comes to the park knows guys with high numbers have a hard time making the team. I hate it when some guy, trying to look cool in front of his friend, comes over and yells "sweet No. 73!" This spring it's 49, this summer I hope to get back to 73!
Is 30 the new 20? People keep saying this to me. I just recently turned 30 years old and as a new husband and father I don't think I want to be 20 again. I made so many mistakes as a 20-27-year-old. Without those mistakes in baseball, relationships, life I wouldn't be as lucky as I am right now with my life. What I would like back is my 100 mph-plus fastball.
Elijah Dukes: Have you heard? Elijah Dukes, formerly of the Rays and Nationals, has put out a rap album and has thrown former teammates under the bus for smoking pot before the games. He has even gone to such lengths to explain how the players got the goods on the plane. Now, I have never smoked pot and I am not condemning or condoning said players actions. I just found this odd that Elijah would be speaking out on the matter. Doesn't rap music glorify smoking pot? I also think that I have heard a rap or two about snitches. It seems he may be peeing in the wind a little bit, or if he was in Wisconsin, eating yellow snow?
March Madness: I pick Duke to win. If Irving comes back, they will be unstoppable. Dark horses are St. John's; if they get to the tournament, look for them to win a game or two. George Mason, CAA is the Big East light in style. They play very rough and physical games. George Mason has done it before and with an RPI in the top 25 watch out. Wichita State, lost to UCONN By 4 early, may be able to win a game early in the tournament. Overrated, I am not willing to put my money on San Diego State or BYU winning more than two games.
I see them both as possible first round upsets. SDSU projects at a number 2-4 seed if they are anything other than a 2 seed I am most likely picking them to lose. Finial Four: Seeing that I have no real idea of who will be in whose bracket (I am not Andy Katz) here are teams I see making a good run at the title. Duke, Texas, Pittsburgh (Yes I know who went there, let's just say I will not be cheering for them) and Ohio State.
Farewell and thanks: This in all likelihood is my last blog for OnMilwaukee.com, but like Mr. Favre I will not commit to be done, but I most-almost-always-maybe-could-be done. Of course, we'll see what happens in the off season. Until then, I want to make sure I say thank you to Andy Tarnoff for giving me the opportunity to have a voice and also for donating to my girls basketball team. I have stressed over and over about how much fun I had in Milwaukee as a Brewers player.
Again, thank you all for supporting the team the way you do. Playing in Milwaukee has been the best baseball experience thus far. Sometimes in life things happen for a reason. Getting traded to Milwaukee and having the huge role I had in the run to the 2008 play offs tied up a lot of why's in my life. Again, thank you for the love. I will always love Milwaukee. Go Rangers.
Seth McClung pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2007-2009, but broke into the Major Leagues with Tampa Bay in 2003. The West Virginia native is now a pitcher in Taiwan.
McClung, a popular player during his time in Milwaukee, remains connected to Brewers fans through this blog on OnMilwaukee.com.
"Big Red" will cover baseball in a way only a player can, but he'll talk about other sports, too. The 6 foot, 6 inch flamethrower will write about life outside the game, too.
