HOUSTON-- Former Astros right-hander Brandon Backe, one of the most popular players in recent years to wear a Houston uniform, has yet to throw a pitch in the big leagues or join another organization since tossing four innings in a spot start against the Texas Rangers on June 18, 2009.
After being designated for assignment just eight days later, Backe was officially released by the Astros on June 29, 2009 in order to make room for right-hander Felipe Paulino, which led to the Galveston native expressing personal frustration toward general manager Ed Wade and the organization regarding a lack of communication in clarifying his role with the team upon returning from a minor league rehab assignment.
The 32-year-old Backe, who's currently a free agent, has undergone two shoulder surgeries over the last 18 months, but finds himself pushing forward with the goal of getting his arm to a level where he could successfully throw in front of MLB scouts and potentially land a minor league deal.
At this point, Backe is unable to offer a precise answer of if or when, as he continues to play it by ear while working out on a daily basis at Galveston College -- his alma mater -- where he's also serving as an assistant coach for Gary Key, who was his head baseball coach at Galveston Ball High School.
"It's still up for grabs," Backe said regarding a potential comeback. "I don't know for sure, so I can't give a definitive answer. My hopes are to get my arm in shape and throw in front of some scouts. I'm feeling pretty good right now, but I still have a long way to go. When the time is right and my shoulder feels fine enough, I'm hoping to give some scouts a show and prove that I can give their team an opportunity to win.
"Having six years under my belt in the big leagues, a lot of teams I played against know I gave effort. They know what they would be getting; someone who will give effort. I think positive as far as that is concerned. Now, it's a matter of being able to physically throw the ball at least to a Triple-A level, if not a major league level.
"Only time will tell."
When Backe reflects on his six years with Houston, he's grateful to former general manager Gerry Hunsicker for giving him an opportunity to fulfill his dream of playing for the hometown Astros, especially during the memorable 2004-05 seasons when the team reached the NLCS both years and the World Series in 2005.
With Houston, he posted a 1-0 record with a 2.95 ERA in seven postseason games (six starts), including a five-hit, seven-strikeout outing over seven scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox in Game 4 of the 2005 World Series.
It didn't take long for Backe to become a fan favorite and receive the nickname "Robert Horry" from Houston Chronicle columnist Richard Justice, in reference to his clutch performances.
According to Backe, he still can't believe that Hunsicker and the Astros acquired him via trade from the Tampa Bay Rays in December 2003 in exchange for an established veteran (Geoff Blum), considering his lack of major league experience at the time.
“Playing in Tampa was fun," Backe said. "It gave me the opportunity to play and I took advantage of it. I started to do well, but to get traded, first and foremost, with what I was doing in Tampa was a shock, especially to be traded straight up for a veteran-caliber player in Geoff Blum. It just kind of opened my eyes that someone was out there looking and watching me. My dream of making it to the big leagues had happened, but my biggest dream was to play for the Astros.
"I’m a person that actually lived a dream and the least I could do for the Houston fans was to play every game with my heart on the line. That won the fans over and the great compliment I still get is, “Hey, we enjoyed watching you play; you really gave it your all.’ That’s the biggest compliment any player can get. One way or the other, it just proves the fact that I not only internally gave it my all, but externally, I showed it. I think people in Houston appreciate the effort I gave on the field.”
For Backe, it was the experience of a lifetime to play under the guidance of manager Phil Garner, as well as alongside franchise icons Jeff Bagwell, Lance Berkman, Craig Biggio and Roy Oswalt, and other greats, such as Carlos Beltrán, Jeff Kent, Carlos Lee and Miguel Tejada, in addition to a rising star in Hunter Pence.
He credits two legendary pitchers for molding him into a true professional on the mound -- seven-time Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens and five-time World Series champion Andy Pettitte, both of whom were his teammates from 2004-06.
"The biggest thing that Clemens and Pettitte taught me wasn't so much mechanical stuff, but more of how to get yourself prepared in between starts and finding your own identity," Backe said. "Just talking to them and watching their work ethics is what helped me out the most. Clemens was nice and smooth during bullpen sessions between starts, and he made sure to stay accustomed to the mound and get his work in.
"I teach that today to the kids I'm helping to coach at Galveston College. I'll use Roger as an example by saying, 'This is the way Roger Clemens did it. If Roger Clemens does it and I benefited from it, it's not just coming from me; it's coming from me watching Roger Clemens do what he did.' That opens up the kids' eyes a little bit more. I utilize him in that sense.
"Roger and Andy were really good teammates. They cared about me. I wasn't a stud or anything on the team, but they were open to any questions I had for them. They gave me a full answer and beyond. They opened their eyes to anybody and everybody. That's what I got the most out of them ... how to become a professional."
Although getting back on the mound in the big leagues remains Backe's ultimate goal, he's prepared for other future endeavors.
There's a chance he could pursue full-time coaching on the collegiate or high-school level as a backup plan, or possibly open his own baseball academy near or in Galveston.
For now, he's content in making a significant difference in the lives of the young pitchers at Galveston College and continues to use the rewarding experience as a strong motivational tool to work even harder to get his shoulder right.
"I practice with them and also get my throwing in," Backe said. "I'm killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. I'm staying in great baseball shape. I get up in the morning, go work out at the gym, go practice with them, and then go back and work out at the gym, again. My high-school coach is now the coach at Galveston College, which makes it a lot easier for me. I'm able to take a couple of kids off to the side and help them with their mechanics or just to show them some helpful things. I don't try to change anybody. I just try to help them see it a different way.
"They have been responding well. It makes me feel like I could be a good coach, if that was to come into my future. Teaching baseball, whether that's at an academy I open up or coaching a team, I think that's in the future, if playing baseball isn't there."
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