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By VAN ROSE vrose@leader.net
Monday, March 17, 2003 Page: 1B
CLEARWATER, Fla. – Who says you can never go back home? Certainly not Kevin
Sefcik. The former Phillies’ shortstop has returned to the organization after
a two-year absence as a member of the Red Barons.
Sefcik, whose resume includes a career .275 batting average in the major
leagues, has been one of Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s hottest hitters in spring
training. He appears to have the inside track to be the Red Barons’ starting
left-fielder on Opening Day.
“I’m very happy to be back with the Phillies,” Sefcik said. “This is
where my heart is.”
Sefcik, 32, is well aware that he faces an uphill battle in his quest to
return to the major leagues. The Phillies are loaded with talent, including
their bench players.
However, Sefcik sees a silver lining in that scenario.
“Terry Francona once told me that if you sign (a minor league) contract,
you shouldn’t go with a team that’s rebuilding,” Sefcik said. “He felt
there’s a better chance of a veteran getting called up if the major league
club is in a pennant race.”
The reason being that a team not in contention would turn to its
youngsters, in order to give them big league experience, Sefcik added.
“When I was here before, the Phillies were struggling,” Sefcik said.
“That has certainly changed. Now, everyone seems excited about the direction
they’re headed.”
Sefcik is a native of suburban Chicago. He spent eight years in the
Phillies’ organization after being selected in the 33rd round of the 1993
draft. He had three brief stints at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and spent six
seasons with Philadelphia.
“I enjoyed playing in Scranton,” said Sefcik, who hit .333 for the Red
Barons in 1996 and ’97. “I really like to hit in Lackawanna County Stadium.”
Sefcik’s best season with the Phillies was in 1998, when he batted .314 in
104 games. However, after batting .235 in 2000, he was released at the end of
the season.
He spent the 2001 season at Triple-A Colorado Springs, where he posted a
.312 batting average. Last season, Sefcik’s career took an unexpected turn. He
signed with Tampa Bay, but was released by the Devil Rays on the final day of
spring training.
“That really caught me off guard,” he said. “The reason I signed with
the Devil Rays was because of (manager) Hal McCrae, who was my hitting coach
in Philadelphia.”
Sefcik found himself in an unenviable position, as it was too late to join
another team. He spent the next two weeks at home in Orland Park, Ill.,
waiting for the phone to ring.
When the Pirates called and offered him a chance to play at Altoona, Sefcik
accepted. “I wanted to play baseball. I didn’t want to take the chance that
no one else would call.”
Sefcik had a superb year at Altoona. He batted .308 and had 50 RBI, but he
was disappointed at not getting promoted to Triple-A Nashville.
Now that he’s back with the Phillies, Sefcik feels his career has been
rejuvenated. He’s having fun again.
“I never wanted to leave the Phillies, but I didn’t have a good year in
2000,” Sefcik said. “Terry Francona was a big supporter, but he lost his
job.”
Sefcik credits Phillies’ minor league hitting instructor Don Long for his
current success at the plate. “The second day in camp, he re-adjusted my
stance so that I’m better able to pull and drive the ball. I’ve hit two home
runs in spring training, and I’m not a home-run hitter.”
Philadelphia General Manager Ed Wade said he’s happy that Sefcik has
rejoined the organization. One of his roles is to provide veteran leadership,
now that Gene Schall and P.J. Forbes have departed.
“His big league experience will be valuable at Triple-A,” Wade said.
“Our prospects should benefit from his leadership.”
Even if Sefcik wins a starting job, there’s a chance he won’t be at
Lackawanna County Stadium when the Red Barons open the season April 3 against
Ottawa. His wife, Margie, is expecting their second child on April 11.
“If the baby arrives early, I’ll be in Chicago,” Sefcik said.