By Rick Hurd
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
PHOENIX - Eric Byrnes figured a winter playing baseball would be memorable. He'd heard the stories from teammates, tales of crazy fans and run-down stadiums and all of the other oddities that came with playing baseball in a strange land.
But not even in all his enthusiasm -- a trait his A's teammates have said is as unique as winter ball itself -- did Byrnes ever foresee what would happen once he got down there?
"I felt like I could improve my game," he said. "But obviously I didn't expect to bring home the MVP."
So much for expectations. Byrnes hit .345 with Licey of the Dominican Winter League. He hit 11 homers and drove in 37 runs. He led the league with 60 hits, 21 for extra bases.
He came home as the most valuable player.
"It was an unforgettable experience," he said. "I think what I learned as a baseball player during the winter really helped me prepare for the spring. How much it will make a difference here, I don't know, but hopefully, it helped enhance my position."
It appears that is the case. Byrnes had four stints with the A's last season, and other than infecting the clubhouse with his jubilant personality, did little to distinguish himself, hitting .237 in 38 at-bats. This spring, however, he is a viable candidate to grab a spot as one of the team's outfielders.
And his winter ball effort had a lot to do with it.
"He's a kid who has improved every year he's been with our organization," A's general manager Billy Beane said. "His winter ball season just continued that trend."
How that will impact the A's this season, however, remains unclear.
Byrnes has batted only 48 times in the majors, and manager Art Howe said his outfield skills remain unrefined at best. Thus, Howe said, Byrnes is not a viable candidate to replace the departed Johnny Damon in center field, and he's an unlikely option to take Damon's spot at the top of the order.
"He still has to establish himself," Howe said. "We're very excited about what he did at winter ball, but let's see what he does here. He's still got to win a job."
Byrnes doesn't disagree.
"I don't have a whole lot of experience at the big-league level, so my first goal is to make the team," he said. "If I can make the team, we'll go from there. But I definitely think I can help and contribute this year. And the more I can do, the better my chances."
Just where Byrnes fits is the question. Jeremy Giambi and David Justice likely will share time in left field and at designated hitter. Howe has said Terrence Long will play center. Jermaine Dye will play right field as soon as his recovery from a broken left tibia allows him to run. Adam Piatt and Mike Colangelo also are in the running for an outfield spot.
But Howe said Byrnes' speed -- he stole 25 bases for Triple-A Sacramento last season -- and his demeanor are qualities that make him an attractive choice as an extra outfielder. He also has some pop -- he hit .289 with 20 homers at Sacramento.
"His speed gives us a dimension that we haven't had here in the past," Howe said. "Plus, he's such a gung-ho kid that maybe sitting him down won't affect him as much as it does the others. We'll see how it plays out."
Whatever happens, Byrnes said, his experience in the Dominican has left him better equipped mentally to handle the challenge. "I probably learned more about dealing with expectations from the fans than I ever have," he said. "The fans down there were unbelievable. You couldn't walk out of your hotel without fans chanting your name. The pressure is really on you to do well, and if you don't, they really let you have it. So to play in that atmosphere really helped me."
And to excel in it?
"Hopefully, because I had success down there, I'll be able to look at that experience at the end of camp, and say, 'That's why I made this team,'" he said. "That will make that experience really worthwhile."
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