Sunday, Aug. 09, 2009

Fundamentals first for Dust Devils' OSU-product Wong

By Jack Millikin, Herald staff writer

Fathers playing catch with their sons has become an indelible image in Amercian culture.

In Joey Wong's case, it helped shape his future as a professional baseball player.

Wong, a 24th-round draft pick by the Colorado Rockies out of Oregon State University, has become known for his sure-handed fielding as the Tri-City Dust Devils' starting shortstop. His considerable range and consistent play gives stability to one of the top defensive teams in the Northwest League.

"He's one of those guys who, whenever there's a play to make, he wants the ball," said Tri-City manager Fred Ocasio. "If the ball is hit to him, we know we're going to get an out. We're second in the league in double plays (44, second to Yakima's 46), and he's a big part of that."

But Wong's infield discipline is no accident. It comes from hours of scooping up grounders from his father, David, who managed the Willamette University baseball program from 1991-2002.

"All I'd ever known since I can remember is playing baseball," Joey said. "We'd be playing catch and I'd start goofing around like little kids do most of the time. He'd just stop and say, 'We're not doing this anymore because you're messing around.'

"At the time, I didn't understand, but looking back now I'm thankful for it."

Joey had shown great promise as a young infielder, but David, who pitched five years in the Kansas City Royals organization from 1980-1984, felt strongly about teaching his son the proper fundamentals.

"My biggest pet peeve is people with bad mechanics," said David, who also coached at Grays Harbor CC, the University of Portland and OSU. "It obviously starts at a young age. You have to teach those mechanics early. The way you throw becomes a habit."

Those fundamentals eventually did sink in for Joey, who made a habit of winning wherever he went -- earning a trip to the Babe Ruth World Series at age 13 and twice winning the Oregon state American Legion title. If that wasn't enough, he helped Sprague High in Salem, Ore., win the 6A state football (as a quarterback) and baseball titles in 2004-05.

"We've always had a good group of guys in Salem," said Joey, who throws right-handed and bats left-handed. "I don't know what it is. It's not a big place, but we always have good ball."

The winning continued at Oregon State, where he was strongly recruited after the Beavers won the NCAA College World Series in 2006. It was the perfect choice for Wong, who got the chance of a lifetime when OSU won its second straight national title in 2007. Wong, who spent the year playing second base, was named to the CWS all-tournament team after hitting .368 with a pair of doubles, three RBIs and five runs while playing error-free defense.

"We started the year 23-3 and ranked No. 1 in the nation, but we dropped off a bit," he said. "We started playing good ball again in the last regional series. It was a crazy run, but the guys on that team were amazing. We felt like there was no way we can lose."

His exposure during the series added to his popularity, so it's no surprise that NWL fans have taken to the scrappy shortstop both at home and on the road.

"Every now and then there'll be some Beavers fans at the game, and you'll hear a 'Go Beavs,' " Wong said. "During the (college) season, Northwest teams don't get along so well, but NWL fans kind of pull for any Northwest guys, so that's nice."

Wong's defense is more than enough to overshadow his bat, which he admits has been lagging. After breaking .300 through June, Wong's batting average has dipped to .203.

But that hasn't tempered the Rockies' excitement about the 5-foot-10 prospect.

"He's a major-league competitor right now," said Jim Johnson, the Rockies' roving hitting coordinator. "He reminds me of David Eckstein as a little better fielder and with a better arm.

"The battle will be in terms of his bat. He's got a nice swing, but he probably needs to keep his back foot planted."

Wong's big-league dreams remain firmly rooted on his defense. "Anything that helps us win. That's the thrill for me," he said.