Stubby Clapp gets green light for Olympics

olympicbaseball May 18th, 2008

10 days after Stubby Clapp, who known for his grit, hustle and trademark back flip, was turned down a request, Houston Astros changes mind and decide to let the heart and soul of Canada’s baseball team making the trip to Beijing to play.

STAR WIRE SERVICES has more detail.

The Houston Astros had a change of heart yesterday, granting the national team icon permission to play for Canada at the Olympics after initially rejecting the idea.

Nearly a week-and-a-half of delicate talks between Clapp, the hitting coach for Houston’s Class-A affiliate Lexington, Baseball Canada and the Astros took place before the 35-year-old received clearance in a morning conversation.

“Sometimes if you really love something you do what you can do to pursue it hard,” Clapp told The Canadian Press. “Either way if I got to go or not, I’m happy the situation is resolved. I’m happy with the way Houston handled it, they’re a class organization and I’m very happy with the way things worked out.”

The back-and-forth over the issue was particularly hard on Clapp, who dedicated himself to the final Olympic cycle before hanging up his glove for good, but found himself caught between career and country.

With a contract due to expire after the season and the Astros not keen on him missing a month July 28-Aug. 24 for the Olympics, he had to tread carefully.

“I told them that if my job is in jeopardy if I go that I wanted to stay,” said Clapp. “All the credit goes to Houston. I had to think about my team’s needs and about taking care of my family. I have a wife and two kids, my job was my priority.

“This is a great organization, I want to pursue my career with Houston.”

So does Jim Parker of Windsor Star.

“They’re going to let me go,” Clapp said.

Earlier this month, the Astros freed up Leamington-native Danny Klassen and Jimmy Van Ostrand to play for Canada, but turned down Baseball Canada’s request for Clapp because he was a coach in the organization and not a player.

“When they came back and said it was too much time for a coach, it was completely understandable,” said Clapp, who will be gone from July 28 to Aug. 24. “I had no qualms.”

But Clapp, who is the hitting coach for Houston’s Class A team in Lexington, knew he would have a chance to speak to team officials.

Bennett was in Lexington for organizational meetings last weekend and Clapp sat down and proposed a shorter time frame for him to be away from the team.

“He said they would reconsider,” Clapp said.

But the married father of two young boys made it clear to Bennett that he didn’t want to risk his job in the organization to play for Canada.

“My livelihood is on the line,” Clapp said. “I told him, ‘I can’t afford to lose my job. If there’s any issue, just tell me and there’ll be no words. I want to be with the Houston Astros.’”

Bennett came back with more than Clapp could have hoped.

“He said, ‘Don’t worry about your job,’” Clapp said, “‘Just go and finish what you started.’”

The organization imposed no time limit for Clapp, who will use the full timetable.

“I’ve committed to the whole thing,” Clapp said. “I need the (extra) time to get ready (physically).”

Canadian manager Greg Hamilton has his own thoughts on why the Astros had a change of heart.

“I think it was two things,” Hamilton said. “They saw how passionate he was to play and how passionate a nation was to have him play.”

The Astros aren’t saying there was public pressure, but both Hamilton and Clapp know the organization heard from many Canadians.

“There were some haste words and while I appreciate the support, I wish they would have been thought out, but I understand that people don’t know what’s at stake,” Clapp said. “They’re a class organization and I’d say that even if they hadn’t let me go.”

While he’s played just 23 games in the Major Leagues with St. Louis, Hamilton is thrilled to have him on board.

“He’s certainly the face of the program,” Hamilton said. “He’s been front and centre of everything we’ve accomplished.”

He batted .364 in helping Canada earn an Olympic berth at the final qualifier, which was held in Taipei in March.

“He brings a lot to the team,” Hamilton said. “He just brings that never-say-die attitude, that calming presence and at the same time he gives a lift.

“Every player knows he’s given every ounce to get where he has when many people didn’t think he would. He’s a special guy.”

And Clapp is ready to write the final chapter of his playing career and put the disappointment of a fourth-place finish at the 2004 Olympic Games behind him.

“What a way to be able to write the final chapter,” Clapp said. “Go over, write the Cinderella story and win the gold medal, and come home and be done playing.”