For most recent graduates, the summer months are a time to adjust to new environments, and settle in to the routine of post-graduation jobs. Brian Patrick, Jeff Alleva and Troy Caradonna are no different, except that their cubicles are dugouts, and their briefcases are bats.
Having left the Gothic Wonderland behind, the three former Duke baseball players are making their professional debuts this summer, and finally realizing their longtime dreams: receiving paychecks to play ball. Patrick, who as the 25th round selection of the Blue Jays last month is the only member of the trio to be drafted, was playing for the low Class-A Auburn Doubledays of the New York-Penn league before receiving an unexpected promotion to the Class-AA New Haven Ravens last week. Caradonna was also sent to the New York-Penn league, where he toils for the Staten Island Yankees. Alleva, meanwhile, is pitching for the Royals rookie-level Arizona League affiliate.
Although they're living out their boyhood fantasies, the former Blue Devils are discovering that life in the minor leagues is no cakewalk. They've left behind the carefree fun of college ball, but they're light years away from the glamour of the major leagues. Playing baseball is, for better or for worse, a job, wrought with long bus rides and road trips, less-than-stellar pay, and incessant pressure to perform.
"It's nothing like college," says J.D. Alleva, Jeff's older brother, who has played in the Kansas City Royals organization for the past three years since graduating from Duke.
"Whereas in college you're just out there having fun, pro ball is much more of an individual game. You're just trying to do well for yourself."
Not only is pro ball different, it's far more intense. While Duke plays about 50 or 60 games a year, minor league seasons can stretch to more than twice as long. Instead of playing three or four games a week, Patrick and co. will now be playing almost every day.
"It's a long, marathon season, and it's a grind," J.D. Alleva said.
The Fire's Still Burning
Still, for all the tribulations of minor league baseball, Patrick, Alleva and Caradonna are earning money to play the game they love, while former classmates labor in offices. No matter how long the odds of his playing even a single day in the big leagues, Patrick is able to keep things in perspective. "My job is to play baseball, and I play in front of 1,000 people who are excited to come to the park," the former Duke rightfielder said. "It's a pretty easy job. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing."
He's faring pretty well at his job, too. Despite hitting a modest .267 with one home run in 16 games at Auburn, Patrick was recalled to New Haven, an enormous three-level leap, to fill in as a utility man for the time being. He's one of the first members of this year's draft class to make it to Class-AA. In three games with the Ravens, Patrick has gone 2-for-7.
Like Patrick, Troy Caradonna doesn't take his baseball life for granted. A four-year starter at catcher and first base for the Blue Devils, Caradonna was not among the 1,480 selections in last month's draft. The day after the draft's conclusion, Caradonna was working on his resume, preparing to apply for jobs in business. The following day, he received a phone call from Mark Newman, the VP of Scouting and Player Development for the Yankees, offering Caradonna a minor league contract.
"All my dreams were crushed," Caradonna said of going undrafted. "But in the course of a single phone call, the fire was rekindled. I can't put into words how exciting it is."
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Jeff Alleva was also unsure of his future before he was inked to a minor league deal by the Royals. Though he plays in the organization, J.D. was unaware of the Royals' interest in his younger brother. Jeff surprised him with the news right after watching him hit a game-winning home run for Wilmington. J.D. has already filled in his brother on the rigors of pro ball, and is delighted to have Jeff join him in the Royals' system.
"We're best friends," J.D. said. "I can't wait to hang out at spring training." The two brothers may soon be spending lots of time together. There's an outside possibility that they could find themselves on the same team in the Royals system, in which case Jeff would be pitching to his older brother. Jeff is doing his part in Arizona thus far, going 1-0 with a 1.35 earned run average in his first seven innings pitched. J.D., meanwhile, is hitting .219 for the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the high Class-A Carolina league.
Looking up to their elders
Fortunately, the newcomers have the benefit of some pretty good sources of advice and inspiration as they dive headfirst into pro ball. In addition to J.D. Alleva, Larry Broadway-their former classmate-has established himself as one of the better first base prospects in baseball since being chosen in the 3rd round of last June's draft by the Montreal Expos. He was named the 10th-best prospect in the organization by Baseball America at the beginning of the year, and his hot bat has boosted his stock even further this season.
Broadway was named an all-star in the Class-A South Atlantic League after hitting .307 with 15 home runs and 51 RBI for Savannah, and won the league's home run derby. Since then he's been called up to high Class-A Brevard County, where's he's gone 3-for-21 in his first seven games.
In between hitting home runs and pushing his way up the system towards Montreal, or wherever the Expos will be playing in a few years, Broadway has also found the time to dish out some advice to his former teammates and friends. "Larry's been really helpful in terms of what I should expect," Patrick said of his old roommate. "He also helps me with little stuff about hitting. I'm real happy for the success he's having, but it's not a surprise at all."
Memories
As the former Duke players embark on their pro careers, they're not getting too nostalgic for their old days tromping around Jack Coombs Field. In their four years in Durham, Patrick, Alleva and Caradonna compiled a record of 82-144, and finished in the basement of the loaded ACC in all but one year.
"We were terrible at Duke, and we didn't have any fans," Caradonna said. "It was a long four years. It's not hard trying to get motivated any longer."
Patrick was a bit more diplomatic, but the point was clear. After a string of seven consecutive winning seasons in the 90's, things have been bleak for Duke's baseball team in recent years.
Duke's Athletic Director, Joe Alleva, is in a unique position to oversee the baseball program, having seen his two sons play for the Blue Devils and graduate to pro ball.
The elder Alleva ascribes much of the program's struggles to bad luck in the form of injuries. He also points to Duke's academic standards, its unwillingness to take junior college players and the strength of the ACC as mitigating factors. "Our coaches work very hard and the program will improve, but baseball at Duke is very difficult given the parameters we work under," Alleva said.
Moving On
The Blue Devils will have to improve without three of their best players from the past few years. Patrick, Alleva and Caradonna, along with their eleven combined years of starting experience, have moved on to greener pastures. And while they may never see a single big league pitch, they're still pretty fond of their new jobs.
"I'm just happy to get the opportunity to play," Patrick said. "It's been a whirlwind few weeks, but it's nice to finally get in the routine of playing baseball every day."
Duke baseball players currently playing professionally
J.D. Alleva (1998-01) - Wilmington's backstop caught righthander Zach Greinke before the phenom was promoted to Class-AA.
Jeff Alleva (2000-03) - Playing alongside Royals first-rounders Chris Lubanski and Mitch Maier in rookie ball in Arizona.
Larry Broadway (2000-02) - Homered in first pro at-bat and hasn't stopped hitting; power hitter is on the fast-track in Expos system.
Chris Capuano (1997-99) - Lefthanded pitcher started the first two games of his big league career this summer for Diamondbacks, and earned first win. Now back with AAA Tucson, where he's 6-0, 3.08.
Troy Caradonna (2000-03) - Backup catcher for Staten Island has been hurt and only appeared in three games, in which he's 0-for-9.
Ryan Jackson (1991-1994) - Hitting .291-7-39 in second stint with Durham Bulls. Career .239 hitter in majors in parts of four seasons with Marlins, Mariners and Tigers.
Kevin Kelly (1999-02) - Infielder is hitting .265 with two home runs for Hagerstown, Class-A affiliate of the Giants, after having knee surgery last summer.
Quinton McCracken (1989-92) - Reserve outfielder for Arizona Diamondbacks has hit .282 in nine-year career with Rockies, Devil Rays, Twins and D-backs.
Brian Patrick (2000-03) - One of the first members of draft class to reach Class-AA, where he's filling in as utility man for New Haven, one of the most prospect-laden teams in the minors.
Scott Schoeneweis (1993-96) - Lefthanded reliever for defending champion Anaheim Angels. In 5 years with club, he's 28-31 with 5.13 era.