Big talent, small ego is right combination

Seminole High pitcher T. J. Large will represent the United States at the Goodwill Series in Japan.

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 11, 2000

As one of three distinguished pitchers in Seminole's stellar rotation this spring, T. J. Large had to sublimate his ego late in the season when the big starting assignments went to teammates Ryan Dixon and John Killalea.

Rarely has being a team player offered such a big reward.

[Times photo: Kevin Sullivan] T.J. Large's ability to fit into a team environment was a big reason for his Goodwill Series selection.

Large, who will be a senior this fall, has been selected to play for the United States in the prestigious Goodwill Series from Wednesday until June 30 in Japan and China. Why was he chosen? For starters, he's good. The 6-foot-3 right-hander was 7-0 for the Warhawks this season, has command of four pitches and has reached 90 mph on the radar gun.

More than his raw baseball ability, however, Large also demonstrated the qualities necessary to integrate into a team of stars, to comport himself appropriately in a different culture and to play against a different style of baseball.

It was his maturity, as much as his ability, that got him selected to the elite team for players 17-and-younger.

"Every player chosen came with the recommendation of a scout, but I was also able to determine that T. J. played on a real competitive team," said Bob Williams, who has organized the Goodwill Series since 1983 and makes the final roster decisions. "When I spoke with him there was some real humility, no ego remarks.

"The Japanese have a saying, "If the nail sticks up, pound it down.' They pick up on the players with the egos and exploit them. If the pitcher is big and angular, they will bunt and bunt. They fake-steal to induce balks. They take two strikes. They do all the little things. T. J. has to have the poise to handle that. They will attack him."

Some accomplished major-leaguers have taken part in the Goodwill Series. Matt Williams played in the first series, which was in California. In its second year (1984) the series was played in Japan for the first time, and John Wetteland was on the team. Others who have participated include Nomar Garciaparra, Gregg Jefferies, Dmitri Young and Mike Lieberthal.

Large is one of seven pitchers on the team, and he doesn't have to look back far to see what can become of series participants. Matt Harrington of Palmdale (Calif.) High won two games against Japan last year. He was chosen in the first round, No. 6 overall, by the Colorado Rockies in last week's draft.

"T. J.'s on the brink of becoming an outstanding pitcher, and this can only help him elevate his game," Seminole coach Rick Chapman said.

Baseball is just a part of the experience, though. Large, who never has been beyond Texas, much less overseas, will be exposed to a new world.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing," said Large, who had a 3.40 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 47 innings for Seminole this season. "I'm so excited about it and everyone is excited for me."

This is the first time the series has been played in Japan since 1995, and it is the first time it will venture into China. The opposition will be top-notch: Williams said the Japanese teams, all-star squads that practice together regularly, have consistently won more games than the Americans in recent years.

The team will mix touring and sightseeing with practice and games. It will play five games against Japanese teams and two against Beijing State, the top team in China. The games are well-promoted and attract crowds of 2,000-5,000, Williams said.

"The crowds will be much bigger than I'm used to, obviously," Large said. "Hopefully my adrenaline will be pumping more."

Large, who has worked with several pitching coaches, including Countryside coach Steve Sharts and former major-leaguer Terry Leach, will be working with several veteran professional coaches during the trip. The experience figures to help him toward his goal of playing professional baseball.

"The Japanese players learn things from the Americans, and the Americans learn from the Japanese," Williams said. "If T. J. can learn something that he brings home with him and helps him in his life, well, that's the whole idea."

Large e-postcards from the Far East

While he's in Japan and China from June 14-30 for the Goodwill Series, T. J. Large will be sending a daily e-mail "postcard" to the Times to document the experience. Large's first transmission will be printed Saturday, the day before the first game in Japan against the Gunma Prefecture all-star team. Technology willing, Large will send 12 postcards, the final one to run June 30, the day after the team visits the Great Wall of China.

© St. Petersburg Times. All rights reserved.

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