As one of the Comcast SportsNet California TV broadcasters said recently, “If it weren’t for Adam Rosales, the A’s wouldn’t be where they are right now,” which, as of today (May 29th), is 3 games above .500, a half a game behind the division-leading Texas Rangers.  After the last couple of years’ dismal seasons, the A’s are definitely in the hunt for a post-season birth.  But let’s back up a minute and take a look at how Rosie wound up in the role of utility man extraordinaire for the A’s.

Adam M. Rosales was born on May 20th, 1983 in Chicago, Illinois.  He graduated from Maine South High School in Park Ridge, Ill., a Chicago suburb, and still lives there.  He went on to Western Michigan University, in Kalamazoo,where he was named to the All-Mid-American Conference 1st Team. 

He was selected by the Cincinati Reds in the 12th round (362nd overall) of the June 2005 Amateur Draft. He was immediately sent to Billings in the Pioneer League (rookie) for 34 games, where he batted .321, and was elevated to Low Single-A Dayton in the Midwest League, batting .328.

In 2006 and 2007, he worked his way up the Red’s organization, ending up at Chattanooga in the Double-A Southern League.  In the fall of 2007, he participated in the Arizona Fall League, a showcase league for the top 6 or 7 best players in each MLB team’s minor league system, where he batted .281.  (See my previous blog article on the AFL.)

In 2008, he started the year with the Louisville Bats in the International League (Triple-A), and was called up to the Reds on August 9th for a brief stint, and again on August 20th when Jerry Hairston Jr. went on the DL.  He started the 2009 season back at Louisville, but was called up on April 28th when Edwin Incarnacion fractured his wrist.  He played in 87 games with the Reds that year, batting .213.

But batting is not all that Rosie was known for.  He was signed as a shortstop and played that position until 2007, when he was moved to first base. In 2008, he played both short and 3rd at Louisville, and 3rd and 2nd with the Reds. 

In 2009, he put in time at all 4 infield positions for the Reds.  His hustle was rewarded by the Reds’ naming him as their representative for the Heart and Hustle Award.  He was selected “for his passion for baseball and his embodiement of the values, tradition and spirit of the game.”  Others nominated that year included:  Chase Uttley, David Eckstein, Pablo Sandoval and Albert Pujols in the National League, and Nick Markakis, Joe Mauer, Nick Swisher and Evan Longoria in the AL.  Jack Cust was nominated by the A’s.  Really?

Rosie played in the Mexican Winter League this past winter, where he got considerable experience playing in left field. This was icing on the cake for Bob Geren and Billy Beane, who were looking for a utility infielder for this season.

On February 1st of this year, he was traded by the Reds, along with Willy Taveras, to the A’s for Aaron Miles and a PTBNL.   Billy Beane has been quoted as saying that the player in that deal he really wanted was Rosales. This became clear when the A’s released Taveras a few weeks later.  Of note, the Reds designated Aaron Miles for assignment on April 5th.  Who got the better of the deal?  A no-brainer.

So who is Adam Rosales?  What we’ve seen so far this season is a guy who sprints around the bases whether he hits a homer or works a walk, a good fielder with a great arm at any position he plays, and a guy with some pop in his bat who seems to get hits when the team needs them. This type of situational hitting has been a real problem for the A’s over the past few years, especially with Jack Cust batting in the number 4 hole. 

 
It is nice to see Rosie, Jake Fox, Ryan Sweeney and Kurt Suzuki take up the slack this season.

Also, Rosie is very disruptive on the base paths, as are Rajai Davis, and Coco Crisp (when he isn’t on the DL).  And it’s the running game, I feel, that has made a big difference this year.  Rosie rattles the pitchers, forces the opposing fielders to rush their throws, often resulting in errors.  Rosie is also lightening fast, beating out infield hits almost routinely. As Manager Bob Geren put it, “Those kind of at-bats, that kind of speed, generates some action.”  

Recently, I attended an Oakland A’s Booster Club luncheon where Rosie was the player on the dais.

 
He admitted that he was “scared to death” to be standing in front of 100+ Boosters, but not at all scared on the field.  He was asked what he thinks about the A’s as a team, and responded without hesitation that they are “the best team in the Majors. There’s great chemistry.  We’re like brothers.”

When asked why he runs so fast around the bases, he responded, “I always said if I ever get to the Major Leagues, I’m gonna play like I was 12 years old.” 

He says he likes playing all the infield positions, but is most comfortable at shortstop and 2nd base.  “I’ll play anywhere the team needs me to play.”

On the personal side, he she has a girlfriend, but is not married.  In an interview with Kate Longworth of Comcast SportsNet California, he said that If he weren’t a baseball player, he’d be a rock star.  His favorite bands are Dave Matthews and Pearl Jam.  His favorite sports movies are “The Natural,” and when he was a kid, “Sandlot,” not surprisingly, both baseball movies.  His pet peeve is “Waiting in Traffic!”

When asked what 3 things he takes on the road, he said:  his toiletry bag, his cell phone, and his guitar.  He hasn’t played for the his teammates yet.  “If they’re lucky enough, maybe I’ll play for them.”

His best baseball memory was facing his first pitch at Wrigley Field.  Since he grew up in Chicago, “I was really amped up.”

The A’s are extremely happy to have Adam Rosales on their roster.

 
When he’s in the lineup, good things happen.  He’s had two 4-RBI nights in recent weeks, he’s hit homers, stolen bases, and made great plays in the field. 

 
He always seems to have a smile on his face.

  
And everyone cheers when he sprints around the basepaths.  What more could we A’s fans want?!