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Falcon wastes no time becoming a farmhand

By PETE YOUNG

© St. Petersburg Times,
published June 12, 2001

Things often happen quickly in the whirlwind surrounding the baseball draft. They did for Taylor McCormack.

In late May, McCormack, a third baseman for Dunedin, wasn't sure when -- or even if -- he would be drafted. Then he flew up to Milwaukee to work out for the Brewers the weekend of June 2. On June 5, draft day, the Brewers snapped him up in the seventh round.

Friday night, Milwaukee representatives met with the McCormack family at their home in Palm Harbor. Before the evening was over, McCormack was a Brewers farmhand.

In a span of about 10 days, McCormack's life -- and tax bracket -- changed drastically. His signing bonus was $175,000.

"I've always wanted to play major-league baseball. I've been around baseball my whole life," said the 6-foot-3, 200-pound McCormack, who batted .374 (34-for-91) with 29 runs, 31 RBI and 4 home runs this season. "The seventh round is a decent round to get drafted, and I knew I'd get a decent amount of money."

McCormack's father, Don, a former major-leaguer who also manages the independent Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, flew down last week for the draft and Taylor's graduation, and while he was here he also negotiated his son's contract.

"The Brewers called (during the seventh round) and asked if I would sign if they drafted me next," McCormack said. "I said, "Yeah."'

McCormack will report to the Brewers on June 22 and expects to be assigned to their rookie league team in Tempe, Ariz.

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