By Roy Reiss
November, 2014
(read more of Roy’s stories and musings HERE)
As we settle in for the winter ahead, there’s one item from last summer that hasn’t drawn much attention that really was quite a milestone.
Rarely does any individual player participate in the full 44 game regular season schedule. Injuries, rest, or some emergency usually factors into the equation as to how many games someone plays over the course of the 8 week schedule.
The affable Logan Taylor reflects on the 2014 season
Yet one Kettleer managed to play in all 44 regular season games last summer. Logan Taylor (Texas A&M) started and finished the season playing shortstop, 3rd base and 2nd base. His versatility didn’t seem to affect his batting efficiency as he finished the season hitting .296 and was named Most Valuable Player.
Taylor was one of only two Cape players who appeared in all 44 regular season games in 2014, the other being outfielder Andrew Stevenson (LSU) of the champion Y-D Red Sox. The feat is so rare that Cotuit followers would have to go back to the 2005 season to discover that outfielder Emeel Salem (Alabama) was the last Kettleer to do what Taylor accomplished this past summer.
Now back home at Texas A&M in College Station, the affable Taylor reflected on his time in Cotuit and the memories he has.
What are your recollections of your time in Cotuit?
How the whole community comes out to support the team. It was a great baseball town and the fans made us feel very important.
Do you recall any specific game or instances with the Kettleers that stand out?
A specific game that stood out to me was a Falmouth game we played. About 9 of us showed up for early work at Lowell Park to hit with Coach Roberts. He helped us with our swings and approaches. Everyone that showed for early work had at least 1 hit in the game. It was a great win and we all felt good because of the work we put in.
How did or has the Cotuit experience shaped your playing career?
Playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League has been a dream come true. When I received news of playing on the Cape I was extremely excited. I knew I would be going against some of the best collegiate players in the nation. Coach Roberts allowed me to play numerous positions. Because of this I now feel like the versatility made me a more well-rounded ball player.
Any influences that stand out?
The coaching staff really influenced me. They all had a drive and love for the game like we as players do and they did everything and anything to help us be more successful. All of them were great men who were very selfless. And of course my teammates. I made strong friendships that I will keep forever. I was truly blessed to have the teammates I had.
Logan Taylor with the McAdams family: Brian, Maureen, Charlie, and Tim
Outside of baseball, what do you remember about life on the Cape?
I couldn’t have asked for a better host family. The McAdams family treated me just like one of their own. They always made sure I had a great meal and supported me by going to almost every game. They will always have a special place in our family because of the way they treated me. Their sons Brian and Charlie took me in like a brother, and Tim and Maureen always made sure I had what I needed. Life is so much slower and relaxed than back home.
How do you think you may view your Cotuit experience some 10 to 15 years down the road?
The relationships with the players, coaches and family. It’s hard to know what the baseball part will lead to but I know I have new life long friends and will always be a part of the Cotuit community. These are special people that love the Kettleers and always support the players.
Kettleers Korner will be anything and everything that might interest fans, past and present, about the Kettleers. Roy Reiss, who started his career working for Curt Gowdy Broadcasting, was a former sportscaster on Channel 7 and several radio stations in Boston. His son Mike now covers the Patriots for ESPNBoston.com.