Tuesday, Aug. 22, 2000 | 10:53 a.m.
He can't help it.
Mark Strittmatter has been a professional baseball player long enough to know that baseball is business, but part of him still longs for what could have been.
Last Friday, Strittmatter was traded from the Colorado Rockies to the San Diego Padres for a player to be named later. Since then, he has played in every game for the Stars including Monday night's 6-5 loss to Edmonton at Cashman Field.
While the veteran catcher was glad to be with the Stars because he would get an opportunity to play more often, he was a bit saddened by the fact that he wouldn't be finishing his career in Colorado, the way he pictured.
"The tough part for me is I was the last original Rockie from the original draft," Strittmatter said. "I don't know if it's something to be proud of, but it's something I looked at and I kind of liked it so it was hard in that way.
"It was always in the back of my mind (that I'd end up in Colorado). I mean, I'm 31 years old. I don't know how much time I have left playing. I thought it would be great to play three years in the big leagues with the Rockies and have my career end. That would have been great."
Strittmatter went 2-for-3 with one RBI against the Trappers before an announced crowd of 2,826.
He was selected in the 28th round of the 1992 June draft by the Rockies in the team's inaugural year. Numerous changes have been made to the club's roster, but Strittmatter remained a Colorado constant and was the last remaining player from the team's first draft.
This year, Strittmatter began his fourth full season at the Rockies triple-A affiliate, the Colorado Springs Sky Sox. His playing time diminished while he served as a mentor to Ben Petrick. In 13 games he hit .296 with three runs scored.
"I was really surprised," he said of the trade. "It really took me off guard.
"I had so many friends in Colorado, it's unbelievable. It's hard, but I'm going to go back. But I'm going to go back after the season and see all my friends."
For now, Strittmatter has found many positives about being with the Stars, mainly the increased playing time.
The Stars needed a catcher after George Williams was called up to San Diego and Steve Soliz hyperextended his right elbow. The Padres brought up Andre Gomez to help, but he was placed on the disabled list the same day the team acquired Strittmatter.
"Back in Colorado, I wasn't playing that much and so the Rockies are giving me an opportunity to play so that's good," he said. "I'm happy they did that for me.
"Hopefully I can show the Padres that I can play. Maybe they'll want to sign me next year. I'm a free agent. If they want to sign me, great, I'd be happy to do it."
During the off-season, Strittmatter teaches baseball at the All-American Baseball Academy near his home in Ridgewood, N.J. and catches for pro players who live in the area.
As a catcher, he has been trying to learn the tendencies of the Stars pitchers so that the team will be successful with 14 games left in the regular season.
"My biggest thing is having a good rapport with the pitchers," Strittmatter said. "It's a lot easier with the starters because I can catch them before the game, see what they've got."
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