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Anthenson Makes the Cut for Y-D It’s the dynamic that makes watching Cape Cod Baseball League games all the more exciting. With the big names from the big colleges come the lesser known players who come to the Cape determined to stay longer than expected. Given that chance, those players, such as Joe Anthenson of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, can turn a would-be two-week vacation into an extended contract.
Anthenson arrived on the Cape at the end of June. Although he tried not to think about his shot in the CCBL while playing for the Campbell University Fighting Camels, Anthenson admits that once the collegiate seasoned ended, his focus was the Cape. “I found out with about a month left in the season that I was going to come here, but I didn’t want to think about it. I didn’t want it to be distracting. As far as I knew I was going to be at the one-day tryout and then we would take it from there.” Prior to the all-day open, however, Anthenson was invited to a two-week stint with the Red Sox. That’s when his summer plans started to change overnight. “I was recommended to the league, but then Coach Pick called my coach and offered me a 14-day contract. I signed that and my goal was to come in and do what I needed to so that I could get a spot on the team. I knew I had to play very good defense and get my bat going.” Anthenson was expected to fill a niche in the infield until the horde of permanent players arrived. Because of his consistent play both at second base and at the plate, he has become a permanent player himself. Two weeks ago, the Red Sox offered him a contract for the full season and the soon-to-be senior signed immediately. “I’m not one of those guys that gets too worried about things. There are things that you want to happen a certain way, but I knew all I could do was come out and play my game.” Having started the team’s first 16 games, Anthenson has been a steady force at second, playing nearly errorless ball, and is among the team leaders in most plate appearances. He’s also knocked in eight runs. “I wasn’t worried, but now I’m just relieved,” says the infielder, who calls Cottage Grove, Minn. home in the off-season, along with parents Bryan and Kathy and brother Robbie. “If I was back in Minnesota I’d be playing on an amateur league there and hitting in my back yard. I’m relieved to know that this is where I’ll be for the rest of the summer.” It would be hard for Anthenson not to be enjoying his time on the Cape, considering the opportunity he’s been given to compete. But his pleasure seems to go beyond knowing he can play with the best of them. “I’m having a blast so far,” he says. “I’m working the clinics in the morning, teaching the young kids, and then going back to the field. With just one day off a week you can’t expect it to be a vacation, but it’s been great to be challenged and to get to know all the guys. “I hoped I’d be able to prove myself and that’s just what I tried to do,” Anthenson adds. “And so far, it’s all worked out for the best.” |
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