San Francisco Giants bullpen catcher and jack-of-all-trades Taira Uematsu at spring training at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011. (Dan Honda/Staff) ( Dan Honda )San Francisco Giants' support staff reaps rewards of winning season
By Andrew Baggarly
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For some, the World Series share is a reward for perseverance.
Taira Uematsu lived on fast-food salaries, first as an intern at Triple-A Fresno in 2006 and then as the Grizzlies' bullpen catcher a year later. He was promoted to the Giants' traveling party in '08 when right-hander Keiichi Yabu needed a translator.
Yabu didn't crack the team the following season. The Giants needed to make cuts to their support staff budget. But Uematsu made himself indispensable by doing the work of three people, and Bochy went to the mat to keep the quiet man whom clubhouse assistant Rob Dean calls, "the Japanese Swiss Army knife."
"It's more a case of what doesn't he do," Bochy said.
Uematsu arrives at Scottsdale Stadium at 5 a.m., fills water buckets and delivers them to the back fields in a golf cart. Then he starts making ice packs and assists Dave Groeschner while setting up the training room.
He catches in the bullpen, throws batting practice and plays long toss with rehabbing players. After practice, he helps stretch players and breaks everything down again. By the time he gets in a quick workout, it's after 7 p.m.
"I just wanted a job and to work," said Uematsu, who plans to keep his share in the bank for now. "I am so appreciative to the players. For me, this is more than my dream."
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