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John Zant: Chilcott's Sad Story -- Dislocation, Dislocation, Dislocation |
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By John Zant
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Wednesday, June 13 2007 |
Steve Chilcott was the first player selected in the 1966 Major League Baseball draft. Reggie Jackson was the second.
Jackson's illustrious career put him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Chilcott would be qualified for the Orthopedic Hall of Fame -- if there were such an institution.
 John Zant
"Cracked up" is how Chilcott's body responded to the stresses of baseball. He was a catcher at Antelope Valley High School in 1966 when the New York Mets, on Casey Stengel's recommendation, made him the No. 1 pick in the draft. Jackson, an Arizona State outfielder, went to the Athletics, then in Kansas City.
Chilcott started having problems with his right shoulder early in his professional career. "I injured it when I threw back to second base on a pickoff play," he said. "It was dislocated 12 or 13 times."
The Mets team physician operated on the shoulder in 1969, Chilcott said, but it never healed properly. "There was no rehab program then, no physical therapy," he said. "Baseball players never lifted weights. If they caught you lifting, they chewed you out."
After six seasons in the minor leagues, Chilcott called it a career. He and Brien Taylor, a pitcher chosen by the Yankees in 1991, are the only No. 1 picks in the baseball draft to retire without ever reaching the major leagues.
Chilcott worked in home construction in Santa Barbara. He played shortstop and outfield in city league softball, but eventually his athletic injuries caught up with him.
"I had surgery to replace my shoulder," he said. "I've had surgeries on my knee, back, both thumbs and my big toes. I didn't realize how helpless you are without the use of your thumbs. I couldn't even dress myself properly.
"My friends say that when I die, all that's left will be a pile of screws and stainless steel."
Chilcott, 58, said all the procedures have subdued his aches and pains, and he's starting to feel more like a human being. But he's not ever going to play ball again. He hardly watches it any more.
"The only guys I recognize are Joe Torre and Bobby Cox," he said. "I played for Cox in Double-A in 1972, my last year, after I was traded to the Yankees." Cox is manager of the Atlanta Braves.
Chilcott's tale underscores the uncertainty of the baseball draft. First-round stars may not make it, and lower-round throwaways might surprise. Mike Piazza was chosen way down in the 62nd round in 1988, yet he will go into the Hall of Fame. King Kaufman of Salon.com posed this stunning question: "Did you know that 147 catchers were taken ahead of Piazza?"
So there's hope for UCSB seniors Robbie Blauer and Brian Tracy. San Diego drafted Blauer, a first baseman, in the 18th round of the 2007 draft, while the right-handed pitcher Tracy was chosen by Pittsburgh in the 20th round. Jim Tracy, his father, is manager of the Pirates.
Another Gaucho pitcher, junior left-hander Chuck Huggins, was taken by Arizona in the 33rd round. UCSB coach Bob Brontsema said he expects Huggins to return to the Gauchos next year in hopes of improving his prospects.
Colorado drafted UCSB outfielder Ryan Spilborghs in the seventh round in 2002. He made the leap to the majors this season, and he appears to be a keeper. Spilborghs is hitting .326 as a reserve outfielder for the Rockies. The Santa Barbara native has been a starter during interleague play -- because a designated hitter is added in American League parks -- and in Colorado's 6-1 victory over Baltimore on Sunday, Spilborghs drove in all six runs with a solo home run, a two-run single and a three-run homer.
Steve Chilcott might have had days like that, but for his shoulder. I can only wonder, "What's a joint like that doing in a nice guy like him?" |
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