Suzuki has had to prove himself

(Lea Suzuki / The Chronicle)

Suzuki has had to prove himselfSusan Slusser, Chronicle Staff Writer

Friday, May 29, 2009


Mike Scioscia is a connoisseur of catchers. He played the position in the majors, and he's notoriously hard on his own catchers. Scioscia also doesn't like to talk much about opposing players.

The Angels' manager, however, is a big fan of Kurt Suzuki, the A's catcher and the team's top bet for an All-Star spot this season. Scioscia said, "I think he's the most improved catcher in baseball from when he came into the league until now. I saw the skill set when he got here, and the way he's picked it up behind the plate. He's got the ability to be a championship-caliber player."


Carlos Avila Gonzalez / The Chronicle


This is the story of Suzuki's career, proving himself to doubters over and over. He wasn't highly regarded when he got to college, either. He had to walk-on at Cal State Fullerton, he won the starting job and the team went on to win the NCAA title.

Then he had his biggest task to date, coming in during the 2007 season and taking playing time away from former All-Star Jason Kendall, who was highly respected in the Oakland clubhouse and revered by the A's pitching staff. None of Oakland's starters ever said anything directly to Suzuki, but several voiced their preference for Kendall to the coaching staff. No one wanted to throw to the rookie, and the icy reception was difficult for a 23-year-old who was eager to please.

"Kurt came into a really tough situation," A's second baseman Mark Ellis said. "I don't think he even knew how bad it was. Kendall was such a beloved figure, the pitchers loved him. Kurt was the new kid, and he was thrown into the fire, but I've never seen a player get better each day the way he has."

"You could feel it," Suzuki said of the pitchers' reticence toward him. "But I understood. Jason is unbelievable. I didn't take it personally. I just did what I could to try to speed up the process." Suzuki kept his mouth shut and his eyes open, studying everything Kendall did, and the next year, he had another mentor in then-bench coach Don Wakamatsu.

"Kurt is not just one of the best young catchers in the game, but he's proven he's as good as anyone in the game," said Wakamatsu, who is now the Mariners' manager. "I feel very proud, but it's all Kurt. He's worked so hard and he's got that sixth tool - he believes he's good."

Teaming up with Giambi
Suzuki's most recent mentor is a little unusual - first baseman Jason Giambi is providing the catcher with tips about game-calling, telling him hitters' tendencies and patterns. Giambi also helps out with settling down the pitchers during the game, making visits to the mound along with Suzuki.

Reliever Russ Springer has worked with dozens of catchers over his 17 seasons. He joined the A's this spring knowing little about Suzuki, and he's been delighted with him.

"I've thrown to a lot of big-name guys and after just a couple of months with Kurt, he already has the No. 2 slot on my list after Brad Ausmus, and Brad and I were together for four years," Springer said. "Kurt's a really good receiver, he blocks balls well and he calls a very intelligent game."

For much of this season, Suzuki has been among the A's top hitters, too, hitting over .300 through the first 40 games until going into a recent 6-for-40 funk. He also led the team with a .279 average last year, his first full season in the majors. He's had just six days off from catching in 44 games this year, and he led AL catchers in games last year, with 141.

Those are some of the reasons that a multi-year deal for Suzuki is on the A's upcoming agenda. Talks haven't started yet, but it's on the team's to-do list, probably after the June draft.

Suzuki also has something he is working on. He is raising funds for his college teammate, Jon Wilhite, who was critically injured in the car crash that killed Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart.

Wilhite left the hospital this week for his parents' home, said Suzuki, who has been texting his friend. Wilhite is receiving physical therapy five days a week, and he faces a long recovery after surgery for critical injuries. Suzuki plans to see Wilhite when the A's are in Anaheim in August, if not sooner, and he hopes to bring him to the field if possible.

Fundraising efforts
Throughout June, Suzuki, his wife Renee, and A's shortstop Orlando Cabrera and his wife, Katie, are presenting an online auction at oaklandathletics.com to go toward Wilhite's rehabilitation costs. Memorabilia available for bidding includes items autographed by Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard and Jonathan Papelbon, a basketball autographed by Shaquille O'Neal, a soccer ball signed by Mia Hamm, and Suzuki's catcher's gear.

On July 18 and 19, during a series with the Angels, more than 300 baseballs signed by A's and Angels players will be available on a "mystery" basis, hidden in paper bags to be selected by fans who make a $40 donation to the Wilhite fund.

"It's unbelievable, the support we've received," Suzuki said. "Baseball is kind of a big family and tragic things bring people together."


(Lance Iversen / The Chronicle)