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July 07, 2007

Kraig Binick, One Of Us

I usually try not to "clip" an entire feature...but, this one was too good not to...from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph:

Being a Yankees fan and a Brooklyn native, Kraig Binick knows baseball history.

Binick senses that history every time he walks into Bowen Field, a facility that has been hosting professional baseball since 1939.

“You can just feel it when you’re out there on the field,” Binick said. “You can just feel the history. It’s just like when you walk into Yankee Stadium, it’s the same thing.

“I’m just so proud to wear this uniform, it’s a great feeling.”

That feeling has shown on the diamond for the Bluefield Orioles. Binick ranks among the top seven in nine different Appalachian League offensive categories.

“I’m feeling good, the bat’s feeling good, and I’ve been working hard in batting practice,” Binick said. “I’ve been working hard wherever I have to and getting my pitches. So far it feels good.”

A 27th round draft choice in June out of New York Tech, Binick batted .444 (12-27) with two home runs, two doubles, two triples, five runs batted and scored 10 runs in earning the first Appalachian League Offensive Player of the Week award of the season.

“That felt great, it was an honor,” Binick said. “Hopefully we can continue to go from there.”

Binick, who has hit safely in all 14 games he’s played for the 7-8 Orioles, was hitting .421 (24-56), which was third in the league heading into Friday’s contest with the Elizabethton Twins. He was also tied with a circuit-leading four home runs and was tied for seventh with 12 runs batted in.

Add to that 16 runs scored (2nd in league), 24 hits (2nd), three triples (t2nd), 45 total bases (1st), a .500 on-base percentage (4th) and a .789 slugging percentage (1st) and it’s no wonder Binick has turned heads, especially those of opposing pitchers watching baseballs fly past them for another hit.

Not a bad way for a lifelong dream to begin.

“To be a professional baseball player and to be able to come out and do this, especially for the Bluefield Orioles, it feels great,” Binick said.

The 22-year-old Binick has also shown a good eye at the plate, striking out just four times and walking four times. He’s also had five doubles, stolen two bases and has played solid defense in the outfield.

Those statistics sound like numbers his baseball idol would have accumulated. While Mickey Mantle retired long before Binick was born, history is history and Binick knows that Mantle was one of the best.

“I know my dad looked up to Mickey Mantle and I haven’t had the opportunity obviously to see him play, but that would be my idol,” Binick said. “I’ve heard he was just a five-tool player.

“He played his heart out, hit home runs, he was fun to watch, runs the bases and throws the ball. You have to look up to that because that is a baseball player.”

Binick is the same. As a senior at New York Institute of Technology, Binick led his Bears in all offensive categories, and was the NCAA Division I Independent Player of the Year. When the opportunity came to play professional baseball, he was ready for the chance.

“I knew there was interest, my coach kept telling me and I knew the scouts were there,” Binick said. “I kept a modest outlook on it and kept playing my heart out and the Baltimore Orioles gave me a chance and I’m so happy, I couldn’t be happier...

“I always wanted to play professional baseball, ever since I was a little kid and New York Tech gave me that opportunity and so did the Bluefield Orioles and — of course — the Baltimore Orioles.”

Binick, who has hit .425 with three home runs and nine RBIs in his last 10 games, started out with a bang, hitting a homer and scoring the winning run in the first game of what is the 50th season of Bluefield Orioles’ baseball.

It’s become a summer home that has been a good fit for Binick.

“It’s a little bit different, but it’s great, the fans are great, the people are friendly, and I have had a great time here,” Binick said. “To be honest with you, I wouldn’t want to play anywhere else.”

Binick and the Orioles started the season on a roll with a 6-1 mark, but have dropped seven of their last eight. Considering the team hasn’t been together for a month yet, Binick thinks better days are ahead.

“We started off and it was smooth sailing and then we hit a bump,” Binick said. “It’s great that we hit the bump when we did because now we know where to go from there and we know what to do.

“Now we’re getting a feel for what all of us can do and what our roles are so we’ll come together soon.”

A native of Brooklyn, the 22-year-old Binick grew up watching baseball in New York, but normally went to Shea Stadium to see the Mets. Still, there was never any doubt where his allegiances lay.

“I’m a Yankees fan, definitely not the Mets,” Binick said. “To be honest with you, I went to a lot of Mets games because they were cheaper and easier to get to.

“When the Yankees swept the Mets (in the 2000 World Series) there was nothing better than that. It’s fun to be a part of history and be able to watch it and to be a fan, there’s nothing better than that.”

Binick is a part of history in Bluefield. The 50th anniversary of an affiliation between the Orioles and Bluefield is being celebrated all season. Binick is glad to be a part of it, knowing that Cal Ripken, Jr., and Eddie Murray are just two of many Major League stars to get their start at Bowen Field.

“To wear the jersey and be a part of Orioles history, it’s a thrill to be able to go on the field and play with them,” Binick said. “You really have to stop and think what it means. It’s great here, I’m happy.”

That happiness will continue for Binick as long as baseball is involved.

“I’m going to keep running to first base as hard as I can, running out and catching fly balls and I’m just going to try my hardest wherever I am,” Binick said. “As long as I’m wearing a jersey I should do something.”

Reading this, I've become a Kraig Binick fan today. And, I hope he does well - unless he's playing the Yankees, of course.

Posted by Steve Lombardi at July 7, 2007 08:43 AM

Comments

I really need to go to more Appy league games. The league needs my $$.

Great story, was pretty amused by the line 'To be honest with you, I went to a lot of Mets games because they were cheaper and easier to get to.'

I can empathize with him. Depending on where you are in BK, it can be very difficult to get to a Yanks or Mets game.

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at July 7, 2007 08:56 AM