GoGamecocks.com
DeAngelo Mack diary: March 7
E-Mail
Print
Once my career was over at South Carolina and I was drafted by the New York Yankees, my season started in Staten Island, N.Y. I had a pretty good season to start my pro career, making the All-Star team in the New York-Penn League. I learned a lot of things about the game and how to approach it on a daily basis.
After my first season was over, I was fortunate enough to have the Yankees allow me to finish school, and I graduated from USC in December. During the fall I was able to do a lot of baseball-specific training with Josh Ortegon at Athletes Arena. My agency, Palmetto Sports Management Group, provides for many of their clients to train together at Athletes Arena. When done with my workouts, I would go to Carolina baseball stadium or Welcome to the Big Leagues to take batting practice almost every weekday.
Spring training started early for me (Feb. 1) because in order for me to graduate in the fall I had to agree to arrive early to spring training. Knowing that I had to arrive to spring training early, Sam Dyson's parents, Gwenn and Sid, were kind enough to let me stay with them for a month before actual spring training started. They have been a big help so far.
The past month has been pretty laid back. It has given me a chance to adjust back to baseball every day and to meet other guys in the organization. The most exciting thing is you get to interact with a lot of the big league guys. The player that stands out obviously has to be Derek Jeter. Everything seems totally different when he is around compared to other players. It seems as if he has his own aura around him at all times. The most impressive thing I remember was watching him for three rounds of batting practice waiting to see if he would miss a ball or fail to hit a ball square. He didn't miss a ball and every ball was a line drive in either the right field gap or left field gap. His talent is obvious even in batting practice.
I look forward to bringing you a glimpse of my life this summer as I continue my journey through the Yankees system. Thanks for checking in, and hopefully I'll see many of you since there is a good chance I will start this season with the Riverdogs in Charleston.
Most Viewed Stories
- A.J. Green to miss 4 games
- Transcript: USC Q&A (Georgia game)
- King, Culliver still in limbo
- Double duty suits Lanning, Gamecocks
- Maddox welcomes expanded role
- Clowney will be in Columbia Saturday
- Top infield prospect commits to USC
- Byers will see USC Saturday
- Roland is rolling in offers
- Two legs better than one for Georgia
@Nyx.CommentBody@