On a recent trip to Chicago, former Cubs and White Sox shortstop Don Kessinger was approached twice by total strangers and wished a happy birthday. ”Chicago sports fans are so unique,” marveled Kessinger. ”I mean, I retired 12 years ago and I`m watching a ballgame and the lady acted like she had just seen me yesterday.”
Her simple explanation? She was a Cubs fan. And the familiar face of No. 11 stood out-even if that ballgame Kessinger was watching was on the high school sandlots, not in ivy-covered Wrigley Field.
Kessinger is hoping that same familiarity will pay off in his new game of college recruiting, which explains the six-time all-star`s recent visit to Chicago.
Kessinger is into his second year as head baseball coach at the University of Mississippi, his alma mater. And, after a 32-23 rookie campaign, the one-time player-manager of the White Sox is combing the Chicago area for talent in hopes of bringing the respectable Ole Miss program one level higher. ”Having spent almost 15 years of my life in Chicago, it`s no secret they play awfully good youth sports,” said Kessinger. ”There are 6 million people (in Chicago), so you have a lot of young men playing baseball. Your percentage of getting a good player is pretty high.”
Kessinger, 48, took over the program from close friend Jake Gibbs, who retired in July 1990. Kessinger was thrilled with the position, not with the timing.
”It was frustrating because everyone was basically through playing and all the recruiting was basically done,” he said.
So when this Ole Miss spring season ended, Kessinger plunged into recruiting with the passion of a rookie.
”I actually like recruiting because I like people. I think it`s tough when you go out and watch ballgames for a living,” joked Kessinger. ”But I do think it`s interesting to visit with the mom and dad and try to tell them why their son should come to our school.”
Recently, Creighton coach Jim Hendry convinced enough Chicago-area ballplayers to attend school in Omaha, and it paid off with a trip to the 1991 College World Series. Twelve players on the Bluejays` roster hailed from the Chicago area, including such standouts as All-American third baseman Steve Stahoviak (Carmel) and designated hitter Steve Hinton (Elgin).
Kessinger and other college coaches did not let the Bluejays` success go unheeded.
”I respect what Creighton has done,” Kessinger said. ”They turned their program around with (Chicago-area) kids. But that`s not the only reason I decided to recruit Chicago. It`s more that I felt I knew the people there, that I had a chance to get in the door.”
Kessinger`s name doesn`t hurt, either.
”Where I think it helps is this: The kids may not know who I am, but usually their coach or their parents might,” he said.
Kessinger caught games over the course of five days in the opening rounds of the state summer tournament.
Kessinger plans to return to Chicago in the fall to scout junior-college programs. While he has yet to sign a Chicago-area recruit, he feels he is laying the groundwork in this area for future help.
”What we are trying to do first is have a strong enough program that people will want to stay at home, that the Mississippi kids will sign with us,” he said. ”But Chicago-area players are a big priority, too.
”Besides, I know our weather is better here in the springtime.”
