For all the dreams Ehren Wassermann realized during the 2007 baseball season, maybe the quirkiest is this:“I just found out I’m in two video games.”
It’s true. Wassermann, a side-armed right-hander called up in late 2007 to pitch for the Chicago White Sox, is listed as a member of the White Sox roster in a pair of new major-league video games: 2K Sports’ MLB 2K8, and MLB: The Show, by EA Sports.
“That’s kind of cool,” he said Wednesday. “I haven’t really played yet, so I guess I’ll have to find out how good I am.”
Wassermann’s work in spring training has been a similar venture. A graduate of Sylacauga High and Samford University, Wassermann realized his dream of pitching in the majors last July, the second native of the Marble City to do so (along with the late Walton Cruise).
As the 2008 season nears, he finds himself in a familiar position: honing his game and trying to prove himself to big-league personnel.
“They’re (the White Sox) carrying 12 pitchers, and there’s pretty much 11 spots locked up,” he said. “It’s not set in stone, but they have 5 starters in mind and 6 relievers. So there’s a 7th spot available. There’s about 6 or 7 of us competing for that spot.”
Logging 23 innings in 2007, the 6-0, 185-pound Wassermann finished the season with a record of 1-1 and an ERA of 2.74. He allowed 20 hits, walked seven, struck out 14 and allowed seven earned runs.
Wassermann’s greatest strength was against right-handers, who hit only .174 against him in ’07.
In a recent story in the Chicago Tribune, White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper said they expect same kind of production from their young reliever in 2008.
“We’re hoping he does exactly what he did last year,” Cooper said. “Because when he came in, he did a good job for us. As good, if not better, than anyone else we brought up. He fought his way.
“He’s never been a real prospect because of the way he throws — he never lights up the radar gun. But he went out there and did the job. Certainly for me, he’s got a leg up because we saw what he did in Chicago.”
What Wassermann did in ‘07 was good enough to get an invitation to major-league camp this spring.
“It’s pretty much like minor-league camp, except it’s a little more paid attention to,” he said. “More people watching, stuff like that.
“I’m working on some defensive stuff, particularly my forehand, on a ground ball. Pretty much all aspects of my game. I’ve been in the weight room, trying to get a little stronger, to maintain throughout the season.”
A member of two state championship squads at Sylacauga, the former Aggie says he doesn’t think too much about being sent back to AAA Charlotte.
“To be honest, I try not to worry about it,” he said. “We have a lot of coaches and a general manager, that’s their job. I just kind of leave it up to them, just worry about trying to get people out.”
He’s done quite well — Wassermann’s appeared in four spring training games through Thursday, four and two-thirds innings. He’s surrendered only one hit, a home run, and maintains an ERA just under 2. He’s even picked up a win.
Wassermann also unveiled an overhand pitch in a Monday loss to the Kansas City Royals — Kansas City’s Mark Teahen struck out on the pitch, ending the inning.
“It’s something I do every once in a while,” he said. “I come up top and mix one in. I do it a little bit.”
Regardless of what happens, he’s savoring the experience.
“This is my first year in big-league camp, so there’s a lot that’s still new for me,” he said. “It’s like my fifth or sixth spring training, but my first time walking in on the big-league side.
“I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”
