2008 Woodie Awards
BASEBALL: Former Cards adjusting to life with Padres
Anna hits home run in first at-bat, Heyne growing as a pro pitcher
Brian Keeler
With his palms sweating and heart pumping, Dean Anna stepped into the batter's box for his first professional at-bat and stared at a pro pitcher prepared to blow three fastballs by him.
As the ball contacted Anna's bat, the crack of his first professional home run reverberated throughout the stadium during the June 22 game. Circling the bases as the ball arrived at its destination behind the right-center field fence, the former Ball State shortstop said his anxiety of playing for a new team subsided.
"It was my first time out, and I really needed it," Anna said, "I hit it and thought, 'That's out,' and sure enough I looked up and watched it go off the scoreboard. I was shocked in a way, but I was just running around the bases feeling good."
The San Diego Padres' organization drafted Anna six rounds before taking former Ball State closer Kyle Heyne in the MLB Draft on June 6. During the past two months, the two former teammates have experienced daily trials and triumphs as professionals in the Padres' Single-A affiliate.
"It's good to have someone that I'm cool with and that I went to school with," Anna said about Heyne. "It feels like we're back in Ball State in a way, and it's really nice to have him around."
Heyne served as a staple of the Cardinals bullpen during the past few years, helping the program to a Mid-American Conference tournament championship in 2006.
After deciding to return to Ball State instead of joining the Minnesota Twins organization a year ago, Heyne finished his final season with a 1.34 ERA and eight saves. Coach Greg Beals said he believes Heyne has been a great strength for the Ball State baseball team during his career.
"The numbers that Kyle Heyne put up as a collegiate player are as good as a relief pitcher can put up," Beals said. "It just meant the world to our program for the last four years and especially the last three years when he was our closer."
Anna also contributed greatly to the Cardinals during his junior year. Last season, Anna recorded a .319 batting average, 11 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .941 fielding percentage.
As the ball contacted Anna's bat, the crack of his first professional home run reverberated throughout the stadium during the June 22 game. Circling the bases as the ball arrived at its destination behind the right-center field fence, the former Ball State shortstop said his anxiety of playing for a new team subsided.
"It was my first time out, and I really needed it," Anna said, "I hit it and thought, 'That's out,' and sure enough I looked up and watched it go off the scoreboard. I was shocked in a way, but I was just running around the bases feeling good."
The San Diego Padres' organization drafted Anna six rounds before taking former Ball State closer Kyle Heyne in the MLB Draft on June 6. During the past two months, the two former teammates have experienced daily trials and triumphs as professionals in the Padres' Single-A affiliate.
"It's good to have someone that I'm cool with and that I went to school with," Anna said about Heyne. "It feels like we're back in Ball State in a way, and it's really nice to have him around."
Heyne served as a staple of the Cardinals bullpen during the past few years, helping the program to a Mid-American Conference tournament championship in 2006.
After deciding to return to Ball State instead of joining the Minnesota Twins organization a year ago, Heyne finished his final season with a 1.34 ERA and eight saves. Coach Greg Beals said he believes Heyne has been a great strength for the Ball State baseball team during his career.
"The numbers that Kyle Heyne put up as a collegiate player are as good as a relief pitcher can put up," Beals said. "It just meant the world to our program for the last four years and especially the last three years when he was our closer."
Anna also contributed greatly to the Cardinals during his junior year. Last season, Anna recorded a .319 batting average, 11 home runs, 41 RBIs and a .941 fielding percentage.
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