Rays/MLB

Mom first thought on thrilling day

By BRIAN SUMERS
Published June 7, 2006

As soon as his bonus check arrives, Chris Coghlan will buy his mom a present.

He can't say what it is, because that would ruin the surprise. But it will be nice.

"There's nothing I can give her to repay her for what she's done," Coghlan said. "She's been there. The strongest person I know in my life."

Heather Roefaro comforted him five years ago when his father, Tim, died in a car accident.

And she will share in the riches now that the Marlins have selected Chris in the supplemental first round, 36th overall, in Tuesday's Major League Baseball amateur draft.

"I just love my mom, and hopefully I can do something that shows what she's done for me," he said.

Coghlan, the Times' all-Suncoast Player of the Year in 2003, has been through the draft before. Selected in the 18th round by Arizona after his senior season at East Lake, Coghlan chose to attend the University of Mississippi.

This time, he is ready.

A junior third baseman, Coghlan has started all 63 Rebels games, batting .349 with four home runs and 48 RBIs. Mississippi hosts Miami in a super region beginning Saturday.

Heather already is in town, and mother and son planned a quiet celebratory dinner Tuesday night.

He can't celebrate too much, because he hopes to lead the Rebels to the College World Series.

Though the Marlins like his hitting skills, they also covet his leadership skills.

"Our scouts feel real good about his makeup," said Jim Fleming, Marlins vice president of player development and scouting. "He's a tough guy. He's a team guy. He plays very hard."

Fleming watched Coghlan, 20, play at the Southeastern Conference Tournament, where he helped lead the Rebels to the championship by batting .389.

And Tuesday, the first time Fleming and Coghlan spoke, the Marlins executive offered a simple compliment.

"Chris," he said, "You're a heck of a good-looking hitter."

Still, he is not a power hitter. And with major-league teams looking for players who can hit home runs to play third, Coghlan knows he could switch to second.

Fleming said Coghlan will begin his minor-league career at third but left open the possibility of a switch.

"I'll play wherever the organization wants me to," said Coghlan, a shortstop and second baseman in high school.

No matter where he plays, he has come a long way from East Lake High.

Coghlan left baseball briefly after his father died, choosing not to play at all in summer 2001.

Though he quickly returned to his favorite sport, Coghlan still remembers his father. Monday marked the fifth anniversary of the accident.

"It's definitely a special day," Coghlan said. "There's no doubt I thought about it. I definitely miss him."

His mom has remarried and moved from Palm Harbor to Tarpon Springs. Coghlan still considers Florida home.

And maybe someday, perhaps not far from now, he'll get to play major-league baseball just a few hours from home.

He certainly hopes so.

[Last modified June 7, 2006, 02:00:17]