AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2007 > March > 05 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThorman energizes in big way
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — There are two things Scott Thorman can generally count on in spring training. One is being told that his flight for Richmond leaves in the morning. The other is somebody on the phone complaining about the weather back home.
“They’re getting dumped on right now — a lot of snow and pretty cold,” said Thorman, the Braves’ rookie first baseman by way of Cambridge, Ontario. “So they don’t want to hear about me barbequing in the backyard. If you go to the beach right now, I guarantee it’s all Ontario and Quebec plates in the parking lot.”
This spring will be significantly different for Thorman. When the Braves break camp, he will break tradition and go to Atlanta with them. “I’ve been to three spring trainings, and I know when every single cut day was,” said the 25-year-old, a minor-league lifer until being called up last season.
It is difficult to miss Thorman. He is 6 feet 3, 235 pounds and loud. When the Braves’ team bus had to stop short Sunday during the drive to Vero Beach, it was Thorman who yelled from the back of the bus: “The sandwiches are OK! Keep going!”
Quoth the manager, Bobby Cox, in understatement: “He’s an energizing guy.”
Thorman’s enthusiasm is infectious, his work ethic a reflection of his upbringing in a blue — collar Canadian town. As a youth, Thorman spent many Saturdays accompanying his father on construction jobs. Robert Thorman never had the opportunity to reciprocate when Scott made it to the major leagues last June. He died 13 years ago of skin cancer.
Few realized the significance when Thorman made his major league debut last June. It was Father’s Day. Scott took it as a tribute. “It was a special moment for me and my family,” he said. “My mom and sisters and in-laws were there. It was the best Father’s Day gift I could have had.”
Thorman’s wife, Kelly, is eight months pregnant with the couple’s first child. Deciding on a name wasn’t difficult. Robert Thomas Thorman is due March 25.
“I wish he could be here for the birth of his grandson,” he said. “I hope I can teach my son a lot of the things my dad taught me.”
Thorman was only 12 when his father died. He was a multi-sport athlete — hockey until he was 12; baseball, basketball and track through high school — and often coached by his father. More important, Thorman said, “He taught me life lessons.”
“When you lose a parent,” he continued, “you definitely get a greater appreciation for a lot of things. I’m not going to lie to you. You have to grow up a lot faster than most kids because you have to deal with that. But I guess, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right?”
Resilience isn’t an issue. Thorman has worked his way through every level of the minors, from Gulf Coast to Macon to Myrtle Beach to Greenville to Mississippi to Richmond. He is one of three players in camp from the 2000 draft class (the others: Kelly Johnson and Blaine Boyer).
Thorman also missed all of 2001 because of shoulder surgery for a torn labrum and “instability” — the result of separating it three times the year before: sliding headfirst, lifting weights and during rehab. He hit .294 the following year in Macon.
Thorman played 55 games with the Braves last season, but his starting job was cemented when Adam LaRoche was traded to Pittsburgh for reliever Mike Gonzalez. He is hitting .375 this spring. Noteworthy: He had two hits in Vero Beach after updating the medical status of the team sandwiches.
Logic dictates Thorman has seen the last of the minors. His cold winters back home will be by choice, after the season. Maybe he’ll even make it into the Cambridge Sports Hall of Fame one day. (Yes, it exists.)
“I don’t know about that,” Thorman said.
Regardless, he has been strengthened by the journey.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Jeff Schultz
Comments
By Lord Doom
March 5, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this
I love Blacks.
By dexterdawg
March 5, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this
I hope that Thorman has it in him to replace Laroche. We need him to be the power hitter that he is capable of being. I would love to see big Thor hit 30+ homers, but I will settle for 20-25 homers and 85 RBIs. GO BRAVES!
By brad in KY
March 5, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
I think it’s false that logic dictates that Thorman has seen the last of the minors. It is logically possible that Thorman could struggle and be sent back down to the minors. Perhaps it’s not likely that Thorman will be sent back to the minors given that he’s been handed the starting spot at first base. However, that is not the same thing as logical possibility.
And please everyone just ignore characters like Lord Doom. It’s actually unhelpful to try to preach at people like this.
By Rod Johnson
March 6, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
It would be quite nice if it all works out… in spite of the fact that reality can be so rude. I remain positive, and hope that all is just grand.
By NCBrave
March 6, 2007 5:42 AM | Link to this
Can’t wait for the season to start!
GO 2007 BRAVES!
By Tuckerboy
March 6, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
Trade Thorman now and get a real first baseman. Thorman is a DH and belongs in the AL. He will never handle the everyday duties of first base.
By Oneiron
March 6, 2007 8:46 AM | Link to this
Let’s give Thorman a chance. He’s shown he can hit and manage first base. Remember, even though LaRouch hit well, he pulled a couple of bonehead plays and cost the Braves a few games last year.
By scott
March 6, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
How much will we see Craig Wilson at first? If not much, then why did we get him? He is not a major league outfielder and if he isn’t going to play much at first, I say cut him and let Diaz back up at first.
By Gene
March 6, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
That is a good story, and I hope Thorman makes it. Canadians who grow up playing hockey on the frozen pond are one tough bunch of athletes, and baseball needs that now.
By Steve Fazekas
March 6, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this
Scott Thorman will do great in the bigs, because he’s a good old Canadian boy!!
By BraveBlogger
March 6, 2007 11:08 AM | Link to this
Youth, talent and enthusiasim and are not always a recipe for success in the major leagues. But in Thorman’s case, I’m betting they will be. Let’s give the kid a chance and see what he can do.
By ERIC
March 6, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
I Hope scott lives up to the task at hand. Laroche even said he thiks this big guy Will be a power house in the same vain as The Big Cat Gallaraga. Lets’s hope so, with the pitchin in place the only ??? are what productivity will 2 & 1 bring to the table……I think this season were gonna see a new revamped braves on the way w/KJ,thorman,francouer,mcann leadin us into the promise land!!! Lets Win this one for the Skip!
By David
March 6, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
I remember how long it took ole Thorman to get his first hit last season, we kept rootin and rootin and he finally made what was technically considered a hit. I’ve been a fan ever since. I’m glad to see him getting some coverage.
By Tuckerboy
March 6, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this
Noticed the Braves were trotting out the rest of the LaRoche deal yesterday. Usually when that happens, they are admitting this is a lousy trade and they are trying put on the best face possible.
Not ready to throw out JS or Cox by any means. Obviously, they are entitled to a mistake every now and then, but now is the time to trade Thorman so we can actually get something for him.
By billboy
March 6, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
love those good old canadian boys pete and scot go braves go
By destin
March 6, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this
So - what’s the batting order going to be opening night? 1. Johnson 2. Renteria 3. C. Jones 4. A. Jones Then what? My guess is: 5. Francouer (if he can be more selective) - otherwise switch 5&6 6. McCann 7. Thorman 8. Langerhans or Diaz
By jbogo
March 6, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this
I think the Falcons should trade Matt Schuab and our #10 pick to the Raiders for their #1 pick. Since Oakland needs a QB, Schuab is already familiar their new coodernater, Knapp’s offense, he would be a perfect fit. And also they are in the AFC, so we won’t have to face them that much. Then we would be able to land Calvin Johnnson!!
By Jeff R
March 6, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
Thorman seems like a good guy, but I got to believe the take is he’s middle of the pack 1st sacker, offensively and defensively. Probably, 20-25 dingers, 70-80 ribbies, .260-.270 range batting. That’s not a knock; that’s probably good enough.
By DannyParry
March 6, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this
Tuckerboy is a pessimistic turd isn’t he.Everything will be great. Dano
By MEANEL
March 6, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this
I HAVE WATCHED SCOT THORRMAN AT MS. BRAVES SEEMED TO ME HE WAS NOT THAT IMPRESSIVE