Posted Aug. 17, 2002
Return to Northwest may jumpstart Woody's career
By Mark McKenna
Herald staff writer
Dominic Woody hopes a return to familiar territory will help rejuvenate his baseball career.
Woody, a former Richland High School standout catcher who was selected by the Florida Marlins in the fourth round of the 1999 draft, is in the Tri-Cities this weekend as a member of the Everett AquaSox, the Seattle Mariners' affiliate in the Northwest League.
"It's nice to be home," said Woody, acquired by the Mariners last December in the Rule V minor league draft. "I've got my family here, some old friends and some old coaches."
Woody, who turns 24 today, played three seasons in the Marlins organization. He spent the past two with Kane County in the Midwest League, where last year he hit .238 with six home runs and 33 RBI.
"I enjoyed my time with the Marlins, but I'm glad to get a fresh start with my home-state team and one as good as the Mariners," Woody said. "It's like doubling my pleasure."
Woody began the season in extended spring training in Arizona, then joined the AquaSox in early July. He's hitting .216 with two doubles in 37 at-bats while serving in a backup role to Rene Rivera, the Mariners' second-round pick last year.
"I know my role and I accept it," said Woody, who was 0-for-3 on Friday night. "Sometimes you have to take a step back to take a couple steps forward."
Roger Hansen, the AquaSox manager who has also spent the past four years working with catchers throughout the Mariners organization, likes Woody's potential.
"He's a good athlete. He's got a good arm and good hands, he's just a little stiff," Hansen said. "He's working on becoming more flexible, and it's a slow process. But I think he'll get there."
Hansen said he believes Woody's offense will come along, too. Woody, a solid, 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, always hit while he was in school. He batted .507 his senior year of high school and led the Bombers to the 1996 state title game.
He then went on to the University of Washington, where he set a school record for home runs in a season with 19. His 17th, which broke the school record, came off former USC and current Oakland A's star Barry Zito.
Woody, who has made his home in Seattle, said he will stay in the Tri-Cities this offseason. Hansen said Woody most likely will attend instructional league.
"He's working hard in the bullpen and in games," Hansen said. "Good catchers can be hard to find, so he's got a shot."
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