Preston Clark: Finding His Place
Catcher, first base, third base, designated hitter, left field, right field. Preston Clark has moved all over the field in his five years at the University of Texas. But no matter what position he played, the place he wanted to be never changed: Omaha.
For Preston Clark and the rest of the Texas seniors, the culmination of a college career's worth of work starts this weekend. Sunday at 6 p.m. the Longhorns take on Southern Mississippi in their first game at the 2009 College World Series. While Southern Miss is making its first CWS appearance, Texas players will be suiting up for a school where making it to the College World Series is expected. Yet over the previous three seasons the Longhorns had been unable to make it out of the regional round of the NCAA Championships. It was a struggle that Clark wasn't expecting when he signed his letter of intent to play for Augie Garrido and the Horns. “All I knew was in high school this team was the real deal,” said Clark. “You came here because this is the team that went to Omaha.” And for the first year of his Texas career, that was the case. Clark redshirted as a true freshman in 2005 and even though he didn't travel with the team to Omaha, Neb., he's still got a national championship ring. But as a redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior, Clark and the Horns fell short (well short) of making it back to the College World Series. Those three years produced a mighty big chip on his shoulder. “We've got to prove to everybody what we're all about,” said Clark. Clark is very clear about how he wants his team to define Texas baseball, but it's been difficult for many to define Clark, given the constant changes he's undergone. Plagued by injuries and moved all over the Disch, the Texas senior has played catcher, first base, third base, designated hitter, left field and right field over the course of his career. In fact, Clark has no idea where he'll be playing when the Horns take on Southern Miss on Sunday. “I couldn't tell you,” said Clark. “I've got about 12 gloves. I'll probably take all of them and my catcher's gear. You should see my locker.” The position changes certainly haven't been due to poor performance. It seems nearly impossible that a player who has undergone three surgeries and played six different positions would actually rank second on the Longhorns' career starts list, yet that's where Clark sits. He's started 207 career games for Texas, only behind Jeff Ontiveros' seemingly untouchable 253 starts. Clark is not defined by where he plays, but rather how he plays. He's a hugely important leader to the team (fellow players refer to him as 'Papa') and is constantly willing to do whatever is needed of him (such as moving all over the place). And a week ago Clark was also able to give Texas one of its biggest hits in school history. Still hampered with injuries heading into the season, Clark's numbers dropped a bit, averaging .264 at the plate, and heading into the Austin Regional he had only one homerun on the season. But he made his mark with his second. Capping off an eight-run ninth inning, Clark crushed a walk-off grand slam out of UFCU Disch-Falk Field to win the Horns' final game of the regional and send Texas to the Super Regional for the first time since 2005. Now that Texas has made it past TCU in the Supers and is headed for Omaha, Clark's been hearing from his old friends who were on Texas' last national championship team, many of whom are now playing pro baseball. But there hasn't been advice on his swing, attempts at inspirational speeches or the like. Clark said the message from the Longhorns' last national champs has been straight forward. “Play ball, have fun,” said Clark. For a man who's been itching to get back to Omaha his entire Texas career, it should be no problem at all.
For Preston Clark and the rest of the Texas seniors, the culmination of a college career's worth of work starts this weekend. Sunday at 6 p.m. the Longhorns take on Southern Mississippi in their first game at the 2009 College World Series. While Southern Miss is making its first CWS appearance, Texas players will be suiting up for a school where making it to the College World Series is expected. Yet over the previous three seasons the Longhorns had been unable to make it out of the regional round of the NCAA Championships. It was a struggle that Clark wasn't expecting when he signed his letter of intent to play for Augie Garrido and the Horns. “All I knew was in high school this team was the real deal,” said Clark. “You came here because this is the team that went to Omaha.” And for the first year of his Texas career, that was the case. Clark redshirted as a true freshman in 2005 and even though he didn't travel with the team to Omaha, Neb., he's still got a national championship ring. But as a redshirt freshman, sophomore and junior, Clark and the Horns fell short (well short) of making it back to the College World Series. Those three years produced a mighty big chip on his shoulder. “We've got to prove to everybody what we're all about,” said Clark. Clark is very clear about how he wants his team to define Texas baseball, but it's been difficult for many to define Clark, given the constant changes he's undergone. Plagued by injuries and moved all over the Disch, the Texas senior has played catcher, first base, third base, designated hitter, left field and right field over the course of his career. In fact, Clark has no idea where he'll be playing when the Horns take on Southern Miss on Sunday. “I couldn't tell you,” said Clark. “I've got about 12 gloves. I'll probably take all of them and my catcher's gear. You should see my locker.” The position changes certainly haven't been due to poor performance. It seems nearly impossible that a player who has undergone three surgeries and played six different positions would actually rank second on the Longhorns' career starts list, yet that's where Clark sits. He's started 207 career games for Texas, only behind Jeff Ontiveros' seemingly untouchable 253 starts. Clark is not defined by where he plays, but rather how he plays. He's a hugely important leader to the team (fellow players refer to him as 'Papa') and is constantly willing to do whatever is needed of him (such as moving all over the place). And a week ago Clark was also able to give Texas one of its biggest hits in school history. Still hampered with injuries heading into the season, Clark's numbers dropped a bit, averaging .264 at the plate, and heading into the Austin Regional he had only one homerun on the season. But he made his mark with his second. Capping off an eight-run ninth inning, Clark crushed a walk-off grand slam out of UFCU Disch-Falk Field to win the Horns' final game of the regional and send Texas to the Super Regional for the first time since 2005. Now that Texas has made it past TCU in the Supers and is headed for Omaha, Clark's been hearing from his old friends who were on Texas' last national championship team, many of whom are now playing pro baseball. But there hasn't been advice on his swing, attempts at inspirational speeches or the like. Clark said the message from the Longhorns' last national champs has been straight forward. “Play ball, have fun,” said Clark. For a man who's been itching to get back to Omaha his entire Texas career, it should be no problem at all.
