5 minute read
Sports
DIAMOND DREAMS: HP GRAD STILL HAS PASSION FOR PITCHING
Advertisement
Now in Triple-A, Milburn moves closer to major-league target
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
When the COVID-19 pandemic canceled their 2020 baseball season, Matt Milburn and other journeyman minor-leaguers had a decision to make. Was it worthwhile to continue chasing big-league goals, or was it time to hang up the cleats and move on?
Milburn, a former Highland Park standout who has pitched in the Oakland Athletics system since 2016, decided to return to his roots. Left to work out on his own, Milburn spent much of last summer throwing into a net at HP.
In March, when he was at spring training and details of the 2021 minor-league season were confirmed, he knew he made the right choice.
“You realize how much you miss it when it’s taken away from you,” Milburn said. “When we found
Matt Milburn has appeared as a starter and a relief pitcher this season for the Las Vegas Aviators, including a game where the team wore an
alternative Reyes de Plata jersey. (PHOTO: STEVE SPATAFORE)
out there was going to be a season, you get excited again and get those butterflies. I still want to pursue the dream of playing in the major leagues.”
Milburn, 27, is pitching this season for the Las Vegas Aviators in Class AAA, just one step away from taking the mound for the A’s.
Not only is he pitching in a new, amenity-filled ballpark in Las Vegas, but he’s also able to fly to road trips rather than having to endure long bus rides between small towns for the first time in five professional seasons.
“This was definitely a step up for me. You’re so close, and you’re looking for that one thing that would put you in that MLB category,” he said. “You’re around guys who have been in the major leagues before, and you watch how they go about their work. It’s a completely different atmosphere than at the lower levels. I’m next to them every day and try to learn from them.”
After graduating from HP in 2012, Milburn pitched four seasons at Wofford College in South Carolina. He was selected by the A’s in the 29th round of the MLB Draft in 2016.
Since then, he’s logged almost 500 innings while gradually working his way up the ladder, having spent seasons in Burlington, Vermont; Beloit, Wisconsin; Stockton, California; and most recently, Midland in 2019.
“I love the A’s. There’s something to staying with the same organization your whole career,” he said. “That means they believe in you, to keep giving you the opportunity every day.”
Milburn didn’t pitch in any MLB games in spring training this year, but he worked out with the big-league club every day. A few days before the season, he was assigned to Las Vegas, where he’s focused on improving his velocity and versatility.
“It’s all about getting outs and performing. If you can do that, then you’ll have a job,” Milburn said. “It motivates me every day.”
MAKING HIS PITCH
Matt Milburn is in his fifth season pitching in the Oakland Athletics organization. As he moves through the minor leagues, he has been based in a different city each season. Year City Class 2016 Burlington, Vt. Rookie 2017 Beloit, Wis. A 2018 Stockton, Calif. A+ 2019 Midland, Texas AA 2021 Las Vegas AAA
Young Guns Stay on Course for PGA Tour Success
By Todd Jorgenson
People Newspapers
For both, the Byron Nelson is special, and so is TPC Craig Ranch, the tournament home for the next five years.
The golf paths of Will Zalatoris and “I’ve got a lot of great memories here,” Scottie Scheffler had crossed many times Zalatoris said. “I guess I’ve been competing before at the junior level, so a professional here basically half my life.” pairing in their backyard made perfect sense. That includes competing in a foursome
The two rising stars on the PGA Tour alongside Scheffler in a Northern Texplayed alongside one another, plus fellow as PGA junior championship event at the area product Jordan Spieth, during the first same course when they were 12. two rounds of the AT&T Byron Nelson at “It was in the middle of August, and it TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney. was so hot that I think we both took tow-
The parallels extend beyond geograph- els and dumped them in coolers and literical proximity. Both had sensational am- ally wrapped them around our necks and ateur careers and are in the top 40 in the played with them on the entire day,” ZalaWorld Golf Ranking, yet still searching for toris said. “I could probably name seven or their first PGA Tour victories despite sever- eight times that we’ve played together, probal close calls. ably between, like, 9 and 15, where we were
Scheffler, 24, a Highland Park High duking it out.” School graduate, highlighted a terrific rook- Large galleries followed the trio in both ie season in 2020 with a fourth-place finish of their rounds together, even with fan caat the PGA Championship. pacity restricted as a precautionary measure.
Zalatoris, 24, graduated from Trinity “It was a lot of fun,” Scheffler said. “Nice Christian Academy and lives in Highland to hear some noise. Last few holes got a litPCP_July2021-1x10Banner-draft3.1.pdf 1 6/10/2021 12:35:41 PMPark. He was in the top five at last year’s tle rowdy, which was enjoyable.” U.S. Open, then posted a runner-up finish Spieth, of course, is a Tour veteran by at the Masters in April. comparison at age 27. The Preston Hollow
Park Cities residents Scottie Scheffler and Will Zalatoris are seeking their first PGA Tour victories
after reaching the top 40 in the World Golf Ranking. (PHOTOS: CHRIS MCGATHEY AND COURTESY PGA TOUR)
resident and former Jesuit standout is a three-time major winner who beat both of his contemporaries over the weekend, tying for ninth place.
“They’re both obviously incredibly talented,” Spieth said. “I remembered being on the green in the group with these guys when I was 13, and they were 11. So what a kind of cool experience to see that now and obviously the success they’ve had.”
Scheffler was one shot ahead of Zalatoris after their two rounds together. However, Zalatoris wound up tied for 17th at 16-under par over four days, while Scheffler finished tied for 47th at 11-under.
“This tournament means a lot to me,” Zalatoris said. “I still have the autographed hats that I had. I was one of the kids asking for autographs from guys walking off 18. So it’s kind of fun seeing it all come full circle.”
