Astros MiLB Alumni: LHP Kyle Hallock

Way back in December 2011 (after I had been writing this blog for only a handful of months), I reached out to my first minor league player on twitter to ask for an interview. Those who have followed this blog for any length of time will hardly be surprised to know that I picked a lefty pitcher, given my affection for southpaws. Kyle Hallock had just been drafted in the 10th round out of Kent State earlier that year and was an All-Star in the New York-Penn League. Kyle's prompt, generous response to me encouraged me to keep asking for interviews and really opened a door for me. Here is the result of a rookie blogger interviewing a rookie player if you'd like to take a look.

During my recent trip to Tri-City, I spoke with one of the season ticket holders who had made friends with Kyle and his family during his time playing there. Candi told me a little about Kyle's life since he left the Astros fold and I thought he would be a perfect subject for my Astros MiLB Alumni series. Once again, Kyle was very generous with his time in sharing his post-Astros story.

Coach Hallock

JH: Can you tell me about what you've been up to since your time with the Astros?

KH: After I was released by Houston in March of 2014, I had a choice to continue playing or start the next part of my career. I received a phone call from Scott Pickler asking if I would be interested in coaching the pitchers of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod Baseball League. I decided to take him up on that opportunity and see if I would enjoy the coaching side of baseball. Following that, I accepted a Graduate Assistant position in August of 2014 at Malone University, a Division II school in Canton, Ohio. Within the past few months I have received an M.B.A. degree from Malone, accepted a full-time position on the coaching staff and married the best woman I have ever met, my wife Morgan.

JH: What one memory (or more) have you taken with you from your time in the organization?

KH: I learned a lot about the game of baseball from the guys I shared a dugout with while in the Astros organization. As I have had some time to reflect on my playing career, the few memories that stick out are starting the New York Penn League All-Star game in Lowell, Massachusetts in 2011. I was fortunate enough to have a hand in throwing a no-hitter on Mother's Day out in Lancaster, California. And finally, I learned the most while at AAA in Oklahoma City from a great group of guys that showed me how to be a professional and get big league caliber hitters out on a consistent basis. Those three stops along the way have allowed me to share some unique experiences with the players I am helping to develop.

JH: What life lessons have you taken with you from your time playing minor league baseball?

KH: One of the life lessons I acquired through minor league baseball was the need to be self-sufficient on and off the field. Everything in the season is on the go (travel, promotions, etc.) and you don't have to get ready for that if you stay ready. As you make it to new places, you have to be capable of fitting in socially, while still maintaining an acceptable level of performance in parts of the country you have never been to. I attempt to bring a consistent mindset to our players here at Malone so they know what they are getting out of me. The more I look back, the more I realize being a reliable player/coach/person becomes a necessity if you desire success. People count on me every day to have it ready and I do my best to do that in whatever situation I find myself in.

JH: What advice would you give to a player whose dream gets cut short?

KH: For those who do not achieve their dreams of making it to "The Show" I would recommend learning as much about the game as possible because the younger generation of baseball players are eager to learn. The other side of the game (coaching) is extremely rewarding when you find guys that want to be great and win championships which we are finding here at Malone.

JH: What would you like to say to the friends and fans you made along the way?

KH: I would just like to thank my family, coaches, friends and fans for their support. When you're in the minor leagues working towards getting to the top of your profession, it can be extremely lonely. At times, you're by yourself or with guys you haven't had time to get to know, all while doing it in a foreign part of the country. Those texts and calls I received along the way while playing kept me and a lot of other guys going.

JH: One final question ... You provided me with one of the most memorable moments since I started writing my blog when you and Luis Cruz combined for a no-hitter on Mother's Day 2013. I interviewed you after the game and you were so calm and cool about it. Were you really that calm about it? I would have been losing my mind!

KH: Whenever I was on the mound, I tried to be a rock. What I mean by that is, I wanted to be solid for my teammates and coaches. I tried not to allow anything to break me. So to answer your question, yes I was really that calm. I expected great things to happen every time a coach gave me the ball. I tried to make history every time I took the mound. Every starting pitcher begins with a perfect game and no hitter, it's the great ones that see how long they ride those scenarios out. That Mother's Day in 2013, it came together for Luis [Cruz] and I. I will never forget that afternoon in Southern California and I can't thank Luis and the defense enough for finishing that job so I could be a part of it.

Kyle Hallock - May 12, 2013 No-hitter

Thank you for your time, Kyle, and thank you for the memories!

Astros MiLB Alumni: Jordan Comadena

Jordan Comadena (also known as Funky) was a catcher in the Astros system from 2009 to early 2012. He quickly became a very popular player with the fans, even those who had never seen him play, largely due to his very interactive presence on twitter (@Funky2414). Follow him at your own peril during football season, particularly when his beloved Steelers aren't doing well! One of the biggest changes in his life since he left the Astros system came in a small package. His daughter Kynli came along and wrapped Daddy around her tiny little finger. Jordan shared this photo with his wife Alicyn and daughter Kynli.

Alicyn, Kynli and Jordan

Now let's hear from Jordan on what he's been doing the last couple of years.

Jayne: Can you tell me a little about what you've been doing since you were with the Astros?

Jordan: Since 2012 I have done a variety of things. Right after I was released I ended up coaching in the Northwoods League for the Madison Mallards. The Mallards were the team I played for the 3 summers I was at Purdue. Following that summer I spent a year coaching at Parkland Junior College in Champaign IL. I worked with the hitters and the catchers primarily. With that season concluding, my wife and I moved back to Lafayette, IN, where we currently reside. My primary focus for the next year was to find a way on as a bullpen catcher with a major league ball club. In the meantime I helped manage a gym that a friend of ours owned. I also worked as a sales rep for Chandler Bats. I handled the professional sales in the Midwest. In the spare time that I had, I also worked at an indoor baseball facility as an instructor. All of that brings us to today, where I have accepted a coaching position at Purdue University [his alma mater]. I very much want to be around the game and I am very grateful and excited for this opportunity.

Jayne: What one memory (or more) will you take with you from your time with the Astros organization?

Jordan: Without question, the thing that I miss the most is my teammates ... being in the clubhouse, being on the road ... and just all the day-to-day stuff that went into playing professional baseball. I may be different than most, but I really enjoyed the 'process' ... the weight training, the early hitting, the extra defensive work, catching bullpens ... I miss all of that. I loved everything that went into making up my day at the ballpark. And spending that time with some awesome guys day in and day out is something that I will always remember.

Jayne: What life lessons have you taken from your time playing minor league baseball?

Jordan: Playing minor league baseball teaches you a lot about yourself ... it tests your attitude, your mind, your passion for the game, your time management skills and your priorities. To do things the right way, and to get the most out of all your opportunities you have to be real good with all of those things.

Jayne: What advice would you give to a player whose dream gets cut short?

Jordan: This is a tough question. Hopefully you can look back and truly know you did everything you could do to become the best player, teammate and professional you could be. I will always believe I had the ability to play at the highest level but a lot of things that were out of my control were constantly put in my way. I know, however, I earned the respect of my teammates and coaches who were around me every day.

Jayne: What would you like to say to your friends and fans that you made along the way?

Jordan: I would say thank you. Thank you for the support and thank you for the memories. I still keep in touch with a number of former teammates as well as a few fans from various stops.

Jayne: One extra question in honor of the recent All-Star Game. Since you had the opportunity to play with Dallas Keuchel back in the day, did you think that he was going to be as good a pitcher as he turned out to be?

Jordan: I played with Dallas, JD (Martinez) and Jose (Altuve). To answer your initial question, honestly, no .... I didn't think he would become as dominant as he has become. However, I'm not surprised either. What makes Dallas so great is that he knows exactly what he is. He knows what his game is and what he needs to do to be successful. He has also improved his cutter since we played together and now has 4 pitches he can throw at any time.

JD and Jose are the same in that they play their game and they get the most out of themselves. Jose and JD are two of the smartest hitters I ever played with ... they take a plan to the plate and execute it as well as any player in the game. It was very cool to watch them all in the All-Star game this year.

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Thank you for your time, Jordan. It was great to hear from you again. Best of luck with wherever your path leads you!

Astros MiLB Alumni: RHP Kirk Clark

In the latest in an ongoing series, we catch up with another former Astros farmhand to hear about life after minor league baseball. Today we hear from Kirk Clark, a non-drafted free agent and righthanded bullpen catcher/closer who toiled in the Astros system from 2009 through 2012.

WTHB: Can you tell me a little about what you've been doing since you were with the Astros (and your latest happy news as well)?

KC: Well, let's start at the beginning. I was released by the Astros July 20, 2012 (the day after my birthday). That time was literally probably the worst time of my life. My sister was diagnosed with cancer and my father had a stroke. So the 2012 season was a rough one from the start. I then signed with the Schaumburg Boomers and pitched very well. From there I headed to the American Association and played with the Sioux Falls Canaries for 1-1/2 years. After that I headed to Quebec City which was an amazing experience. During my time in Quebec I received a random phone call from the Head Coach from Wayne State College, a Division 2 school in Nebraska. I initially told them no because I wanted to finish my last season. They ended up calling me back in the morning and told me they'd love to have me once the season is over. So I am now the Pitching Coach/Recruiting Coordinator at Wayne State. I asked my girlfriend of 2-1/2 years to marry me a week ago and she, of course, said yes. So my life has changed quite a bit over the last year. We're currently looking at houses and getting married in October 2016. My goal is still to get to the big leagues, just in another way now. Coaching, scouting, whatever. Just looking for another opportunity.

WTHB: What one memory (or more) will you take with you from your time with the Astros organization?

KC: Ohhh the memories. One thing I love to see is the guys I played with succeed. JD Martinez, Jake Goebbert, Jose Altuve, Jose Cisnero, and the list goes on. Of course the individual records will always be with me as well, saving 29 games in Lexington, and getting an opportunity to pitch in a big league game and all-star game. I made noise as a non-drafted guy. Setting records and getting an appearance in a big league game ... that was enough for me. I really thank the Astros for giving me an opportunity to chase after my dream. I also got to meet a lot of great guys. I still keep in touch with some of the guys such as Jordan Comadena, Adam Champion, Mike Ness, Dan Sarisky and Jonny Meyer. There are a few others that I kept in contact with kicking around indy ball. We are all brothers and have gone through some crazy things: long bus rides, longer nights, early mornings, wins, losses, punch outs, bench clearings, injuries, walk offs (good and bad), hotel casinos, taxi rides and so on. Special Thanks to all my managers, pitching coaches, and so on. And last I will never forget this... Fred Nelson [the Astros former Director of Player Development] didn't know my name... he always called me Chris.

WTHB: What life lesson have you taken from your time playing minor league and independent baseball?

KC: The baseball family is smaller than you think. Everyone has their own stories. Everyone knows someone that you know so everyone is connected in a way. Always be the best person you can be because you never know how that will aid you in the future. That's literally how I got my job now. They knew I knew the game and it came down to when he asked people who coached me if I was a good guy or not. Also, baseball is an absolute GRIND. 140 games you get to prove yourself. I was always a fast starter so I always did well my first few months and would struggle in July. Make sure to keep doing what you're doing. You'll have more peaks than valleys. Don't get down on yourself ... as soon as you do, you'll be done and it'll be too late. Don't forget to have fun. This isn't a miserable experience. I get that it sounds stupid, but a lot of people forget to have fun.

WTHB: What advice would you give to a player whose dream gets cut short?

KC: Don't stop chasing till you're ready to. I get it ... you're getting older and you want more than $500 in your bank account at a time, and you want to move out of your parents place. You have the rest of your life to grow up even if you play till your 30, you'll get 35 years of real life work for the 8 years you put into playing. Trust me when I say there are plenty of places to play. I just gave up ball in September, and when January hit I started working out and throwing to get into shape just in case I get to throw a few innings this summer for a random team somewhere. It just got to the point for me that playing the game was no longer a priority for me. I want to be able to be around family, get married, and so on. I dedicated everything since I was in high school to the game of baseball and I just couldn't do that full-time anymore. I said to myself when I got to that point I won't hang around and keep playing, because you're just taking up someone's spot who sitting at home.

WTHB: What would you like to say to the friends and fans you've made along the way?

KC: Thank you. Thank you to Rip and Missy in New York. They're some of the greatest people I've ever met. Thank you to my host mom Kim in Lexington and all the other host families. You guys were absolutely amazing. Thank you to all the host families in Lancaster. Thanks to all the bloggers who were behind me climbing the ladder. I promised myself I will make it back to all of those places sometime in the near future to hang with everyone in the stands and enjoy a ball game. I will never ever forget the time I spent in each place and thank you for making that special.

Thank you for sharing your story, Kirk! Best of luck with life after minor league baseball.

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It's only 8 days until the minor league season will be upon us! Time to purchase the 2015 Houston Farm System Handbook!

Astros MiLB Alumni: OF Justin Gominsky

[This is the second in an ongoing series in which we will check in on former Astros farmhands in order to hear about their lives after minor league baseball.]

Justin Gominsky, an outfielder drafted in the 11th round in 2011 out of the University of Minnesota, hasn't exactly been idle since asking for his release from the Astros earlier this season. Gominsky is a spokesperson for a health company, part owner and coach of the Minnesota Icemen, a club baseball team, and in his spare time, he plans to finish his degree. (There's a reason his nickname is GoGo!) But it is his recent involvement in a new charity called Assist2Play that has him really excited. Assist2Play raises money to help families in need so their children can participate in sports when their financial situation might not otherwise allow their participation. The children are asked to volunteer for a charity of their choice in exchange for the gift. Justin expressed how awful it must feel for a parent to say no to their talented athlete due to money troubles. If a child makes an elite team of any sport, Assist2Play will help fund his/her participation. Of his endeavors, Gominsky said, "I'm really excited to be able to give back the information and experience I have learned over the years of playing baseball, as well as to develop kids into the best student, person and athlete they can be."

Justin Gominsky - April 2012

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Justin's time with the Astros is a time he will never forget. "My most memorable moment as an Astro had to come my rookie ball year playing with the Tri-City ValleyCats. We had a good squad. I made and started in the All-Star Game that season. Playing in the All-Star game, as well as meeting all my teammates (some who are now in the big leagues) was one of my best baseball moments I have ever had." He is excited to now be able to help other players have those opportunities, and hopes to develop a template for success that will last them a lifetime.

Gominsky knows that a professional baseball career is an experience that only a select few are able to accomplish, and he truly appreciates the relationships that he established in his time in the minor leagues. He keeps in touch with many of the teammates he's had over the years and feels a brother-like bond with them. Justin said, "When you’re with a group of guys for six months every day you become family. I always loved being able to interact and talk to the fans as well. When I was a kid I always wanted to be able to talk to a 'real' baseball player, so when I was in the position of being a 'real' baseball player, I wanted to give back to the fans and community. I feel blessed that I was given a chance to play this great sport for as long as I did and the relationships I have made will definitely impact my life forever."

While Gominsky now is focused on the new relationships formed with the Minnesota Icemen and Assist2Play.org, he remains interested in maintaining the relationships he made with the Astros. "I would like to say to my friends and fans that I am so thankful for all of your support. I feel the Astros organization and players are so blessed to be able to have the fans that we do. I genuinely believe we have the best fans in baseball. One of the hardest decisions I have ever made was to walk away from baseball this year and start a new endeavor. As most of my fans and family know, I played the game with all my heart and I was always happy to be on the field. I personally want to thank all my fans and friends out there who have come into my life. Y'ALL ARE THE BEST. Please stay in touch with me because I care about each and every one of you. Thanks for the memories and keep helping guys like myself endure the rigors of professional baseball."

If you would like to know more about Justin’s baseball program or if you would like to contribute to Assist2Play, the links for those websites are:

www.minnesotaicemen.com

www.assist2play.org

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Thanks for checking in with us, Justin. It's wonderful to see you giving back in order to help others' dreams come true. And I would be remiss if I didn't wish you a Happy Birthday, although I am a day late. Hope it was a great one!

Astros MiLB Alumni: 1B Mike Martinez

I had been toying with the idea of starting an ongoing segment on the blog that would follow former Astros minor leaguers who were no longer in the system and see what they are now doing. Many of those who read this blog aren't just fans of the Astros or of a certain minor league affiliate, they are fans of the young men who come into their lives one season at a time. Some of them make indelible impressions. That thought just happened to coincide with a note I received from former Greeneville Astro and Tri-City ValleyCat Mike Martinez.

Mike Martinez - July 2013

Photo by Jayne Hansen

Martinez was drafted in the 36th round in 2012 out of Florida International University. He spent two seasons in the system. However, in late August of 2013, Martinez was suspended for 50 games for PED's, specifically an amphetamine. Martinez never got the opportunity to tell those of us who were following him his side of the story. He's moved on with his life, but that missed opportunity has continued to bother him. Here is what he told me about that very unfortunate episode in his life. [Note: I removed specific names from this portion of Mike's story.]

MM: First off, this is not to say anything negative about anyone. I simply want to tell my side of the story. I feel like I owe it to the fans to explain exactly what happened. So here it goes. It started in college. I realized I had issues concentrating and paying attention in college, so I looked for help. I went to a local doctor, with the advice of my academic adviser. I was diagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Adderall in college and was using it to help me with my studies, as well in life. As I got into the MiLB I stopped using the pill, as it is banned by the MLB. Halfway through the year at Greeneville, I approached my trainer, and he pointed me to the person you contacted to get the TUE [Therapeutic Use Exemption] approved which is what allows you to use prescribed meds. That offseason I constantly tried to make an appointment with an MLB certified psychiatrist, but was unsuccessful. At the time, I was living in Miami, FL and the closest doctor was in West Palm Beach, which is 2 hours from my house. I could not get an appointment so I went to spring training with no TUE and with no use of Adderall. Towards the end of spring training, I approached the head of player development and discussed my problem with him. He set me up with an appointment immediately, in Tampa, with an MLB certified psychiatrist. I sat with the doctor for 5 hours, and he diagnosed me with ADHD, and prescribed me 30mg of extended release Adderall. In fairness to him, he told me very clearly do not take a pill until I am 100% approved for the TUE. I flew up to New York the next day and turned all my paperwork into my trainer. He followed the steps and sent all the paper work in. Because I did everything by the book, I was under the impression I was good to go, and took one of the pills. Unfortunately, I was not. The deadline for 2nd year players is in April, not June as I had been told. On the bus to play the Connecticut Tigers, I received an email that my TUE was declined because I missed the deadline. That very day, there were people from the MLB performing the drug test. I still had the banned medication in my system, and tested positive for amphetamine, which is the main ingredient in Adderall. The test results took 9 weeks to come back, and we were playing the Brooklyn Cyclones towards the end of the season when I found out I was suspended 50 games. This is the true story. I am not a cheater. I took a pill that was prescribed to me, and unfortunately my TUE wasn’t approved. It’s unfortunate that my baseball career ended this way, but it happened. It’s over. Now all I can do is tell my story.

I wanted to ask Mike a few more questions about life after minor league baseball and what he had taken away from that experience. 

JH: Can you tell me a little bit about the new career that you're pursuing and how you're still keeping your hand in baseball as well?

MM: First off, as soon as I got home from Tri-City, I had an opportunity to begin doing batting lessons. I began doing lessons sometime in September and eventually I was getting anywhere from 10-20 clients a week. I also became an assistant coach at my old high school. I began my company, which is called Pro Performance Baseball, shortly there after. In January I officially got released and wanted to take some time away from baseball. I stopped doing my business and was exploring as to what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I continued to coach to follow through on my commitment, but at the same time was searching for a career. I had several job interviews, but after realizing I could not be in an office 9-5, I began to search elsewhere. My brother-in-law is a firefighter and he has been trying to push me in that direction for years. I finally gave it a shot, and now I love it. I currently am in paramedic school, as well as continuing my business. I can’t just walk away from the game I loved for so many years, so I stay in it by coaching.

JH: What one memory will you always take with you from your days in the Astros system?

MM: There are so many good memories I have from minor leagues. From Yoga Dan in extended, to having the best roommates in New York (Booth, Rodriguez, Dineen, and Lindauer for a little). Still, one of the best days of my life was getting drafted. The Astros were the ones that gave me that opportunity, and I cannot thank them enough for that. It was frustrating for me to watch the draft. For some reason, I was never considered a prospect. For me, that didn’t make any sense as I just broke several offensive records at my college, FIU. The 2011 draft came and went, and I knew my chances of getting drafted after my senior year were slim. Towards the end of the draft, I told my girlfriend I couldn’t take it anymore, so I got up and left to  go to McDonalds. Sure enough, as soon as I got in my car I got a phone call from the Houston Astros scout Larry Pardo. He asked me if I still wanted to play baseball. After getting my Big Mac I returned home and it was a circus. All I could manage to do was walk in, and breakdown. I knew the odds were against me, and I beat them. I will never forget the people I met in the Astros system, nor will I ever forget the memories. I became close with a few coaches in the system, such as Jeff Albert and Russ Steinhorn, because they loved hitting as much as I did. I remember when Jeff would come to town, I would make sure I would get next to him in the dugout and pick his brain. By the way, that guy is a genius when it comes to hitting. Although I didn’t get to play in the championship, my last year in Tri-City was a blast. I had so much fun and we were all so close as a team. Brett Booth sent me a picture after they won and said, “This was for you brother.” Things like that can’t be replaced.

JH: What life lesson will you take with you from your days playing minor league baseball?

MM: Minor leagues basically helped turn me into a man. My coaching style today is actually very similar to Ed Romero’s. He was great at never letting the little things get to him. That’s also a relevant life lesson. Every day people experience set backs. It’s not the set back you experience, but how to respond to the set back. One person I always tried to be around was Dan Gulbransen. He is so positive about everything. He showed me different ways to look at the same thing. Basically, baseball can teach you about everything in life. The ups and downs, teamwork, being coachable, all of those things apply in the real world. Firefighting is extremely similar to baseball, and maybe that is why I love it so much. There is no price for the lessons to be learned in baseball.

JH: What would you like to say to the fans and friends you made along the way?

MM: Lastly, to my ex teammates, I miss you and love you guys. Everyone knows playing baseball a bond is formed, but unless you are actually in that locker room, you cannot understand the bond. It isn’t friendship, it’s a family. You are brothers, not teammates. Those guys had my back and I had theirs, and for that, I cannot thank them enough. To any fans I might have let down, I’m sorry. I hope you read my story and understand what actually happened. I know once you get suspended, you’re automatically labeled as a cheater. Unfortunately the term “PED” is an umbrella and covers everything, even if it is a prescribed medication. The fans were always awesome. They always supported us and were sometimes more dedicated than the players. It gave me chills when I was in Tri-City and I hit a homerun dead center that game, and after the game they asked me to speak and the crowd began, “Mike Mar-ti-nez.” I remember it was led by the man we called Santa Claus. I looked up, and soaked it all in. Things like that cannot be replaced, and for that, thank you. Lastly, thanks to the Astros. You guys gave me an opportunity no one else would have. Without the Astros, none of this would have been possible.

Thank you for sharing your story, Mike. It's one that needed to be told.