|
By Mark Wright
Christensen Gets New Start with Dodgers' AAA Affiliate
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- McKay Christensen's baseball career has taken a
number of interesting turns over the years, both up and down. While
not always under his control, Christensen knows that at least some of
the rough spots have been the direct result of his own decisions.
Take his two year hiatus to serve an LDS mission to Japan for
example. Christensen knew that he would have a difficult time coming
back but choose to go anyway, fulfilling a commitment that he felt
most strongly. "I think there's no doubt that going on a mission for
two years and then coming back was definitely something that has been
a difficult obstacle in terms of baseball," he said.
Christensen, now 25, turned pro after graduating from Clovis West
High School in Fresno, CA. and was the first pick of the Anaheim
Angels in the MLB draft held in 1994 (sixth pick overall). Prior to
the draft, Christensen decided to write letters to all of the
professional baseball teams that were considering drafting him and
told them that he wouldn't play pro ball until after he finished
serving a mission. While he was serving in Tokyo, the Angels traded
him to the White Sox organization and when he finished his mission he
starting working his way through the White Sox farm system,
eventually making his big league debut in 1998. Christensen ended up
playing 28 games for the White Sox where he hit .226 with 10 runs
scored, six RBIs and one home run. Last year Christensen was called
up for 32 games, but had a disappointing stint when he had only 19 at
bats with a .105 average.
Recently traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Chicago White
Sox, Christensen hopes to finally make a lasting impact in MLB and
become an everyday player in the big leagues. Even though he's
currently playing in the minor leagues, Christensen was recognized as
the defensive outfielder of the year in both 1999 and 2000 by
Baseball America. He just feels that he never had a legitimate
opportunity to prove himself because the White Sox had plenty of
talent playing ahead of him already. "My situation was difficult."
Christensen said. "Ray Durham has been their (the White Sox) leadoff
guy forever. I think that whoever played center field, they just
needed someone who hit deeper in the lineup. There wasn't a spot for
me because of that."
While his talent and potential have been widely recognized,
Christensen will definitely have to pick his game up a notch if he
hopes to start playing for the Dodgers any time soon. Since being
traded, Christensen has been playing for the Dodger's AAA affiliate,
the 51s and hasn't performed the way he'd like. In his two most
recent games against Sacramento and Oklahoma, Christensen was a
combined 0-for-8.
While these numbers are not the stuff of major leaguers, Christensen
believes it's only a matter of time. "Really, I don't have a whole
lot of baseball experience," he said, "Right now, I would be
considered 22 or 23 in terms of baseball." No matter what happens,
you can be certain that Christensen will continue to play and hope
for the best, knowing that he's got yet another opportunity to reach
for his dream.
Source:
Christensen enjoys new start with 51s
Las Vegas NV Sun 17Jul01 S2
By Victoria Sun: Las Vegas Sun
Highly touted CF welcomes chance to prove skills
|
