|
Everything's
Better In Texas
by Mike Ashmore
August 17, 2006 - Hunterdon County Democrat
When it came time for J.B. Cox to pick a college, it was
only natural that the Bay City, Texas native chose the Texas
Longhorns. After closing out both games of Texas' sweep of
Florida in last year's College World Series, it was Cox who
was looking like the natural.
"We were fortunate enough to go (to the CWS) three
years in a row. We got third, second, and then first,"
Cox said. "To be able to throw the last pitch and be
able to cap it off meant a whole lot to me."
Selected in the second round of the 2005 draft by the
Yankees, Cox has been nothing short of dominant during his
two brief pro seasons.
This year, he's posted a 6-2 record with a miniscule 1.80
ERA for the Double-A Trenton Thunder. Of his 40 outings, Cox
has allowed an earned run in just eight of them, putting
together a run of 15 consecutive scoreless appearances
earlier in the year.
Similar to his role at Texas during his freshman and
sophomore seasons, where he set up last year's American
League Rookie of the Year, Huston Street, Cox has excelled
this season as the bridge to Trenton's All-Star closer,
Justin Pope.
But, if only for a little while, that bridge will be burned
as Cox will join Team USA for the Olympic qualifying
tournament in Cuba.
"That's going to hurt," said Thunder manager Bill
Masse. "The main guy out of our bullpen that we've
relied on all year has been Cox. It's a big loss."
Cox was the closer on the USA National Team in 2004, and
he's looking forward to representing his country again,
especially with a little bit more on the line this time
around.
"It was fun, I got to play with a bunch of great guys
when we went over there in college," he said.
"That meant a lot, but this is actually for going to
the Olympics."
While the Olympics are two years away, the playoffs are just
three weeks away, and Cox wouldn't return to the team until
September 7th, three days after the end of the regular
season.
Regardless of whether Trenton makes the playoffs or not,
September looks to be an eventful month for the 22-year-old
right-hander, as a September call-up to New York isn't out
of the question.
"It's always been a dream to play in the big leagues no
matter where it's at," Cox said. "(Playing for)
the Yankees is icing on the cake."
Although he hasn't seen Yankee Stadium just yet, Cox did get
his first taste of the Big Apple this month, visiting the
city two weeks ago.
"It was fun, I had a good time," Cox said. "I
don't want to count my chickens, but I might have to live
here one day. It's a big adjustment for me going from a
small town of 15,000 in Bay City, Texas."
What might be a big adjustment for Yankees fans is seeing
someone other than Mariano Rivera on the mound in the ninth
inning. While dreaming about the big leagues is a frequent
occurrence for the soft-spoken Texan, he says talk of being
groomed to replace the 36-year-old Rivera by anyone is
premature.
"At this point, it's too early," Cox said.
"(The Yankees) haven't really talked about my plans for
me, but I trust them with what they want to do with me, and
I'll just go along with it."
With Trenton locked in a tight three-team race for just two
playoff spots in the Eastern League's Northern Division,
losing a pitcher of Cox's caliber is hard for the Thunder
staff to just go along with.
"He's come a long way with his delivery and his
command," Thunder pitching coach Dave Eiland said.
"He's done a great job out of the pen, and we're
definitely going to miss him."
Trenton's loss will be Team USA's gain for now, but it's
only a matter of time before J.B. Cox becomes the Yankees
gain for many years to come.
|
