CLINT BARMESS
Story by Drew Bogs
Clint Barmes has played for 14 different baseball teams. He's traveled from Lincoln High School in his hometown of Vincennes, Ind., to his current team the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Map by Drew Bogs
BASEBALL ACROSS AMERICA
TOTAL TEAM PLAYER
Playing in Major League Baseball for 11 years now, Clint Barmes made an impression not only on the field but as a mentor for younger players.
"It has been an experience," Barmes said. "Starting through the minor leagues, I was on the fast tracks. (I) got to the big leagues three years after the start of my professional career. Then I had an injury that slowed everything down and it has been battling to keep the numbers and a position for as long as I can. That is the on going battle every year."
Barmes' career has taken him to play for three different Major League teams and 11 different minor league teams. Through his career he has made an impression with the younger players.
A ROLE MODEL
Pittsburgh Pirates Infield Coordinator Gary Green (Left) describes Barmes as a leader and role model for the team.
"Being around him the last couple of years, (I see) a tremendous work ethic and he knows what he needs to do to prepare for a long season," Green said. "He is a team guy first. He knows how to separate offense from defense, which sounds like a simple thing, but young players have a heck of a time trying to do that. He is a remarkable young man."
Along with being a hard worker, Barmes knows the difference between work and play.
"I think he knows how to have fun but he also knows when it is time to get serious and time to prepare,' Green said. "A lot of guys have gravitated to him on our major league side by his work ethic. The understanding of not letting his defense slide, even though he struggled offensively last year. I think it has paid dividends with our players over the years on the Major League side."
Green thinks that Barmes can continue to play for years to come.
"If he can stay healthy, then he should be able to play for a number of years still," Green said. "He should be able to play another 3, 4, 5 years."
Barmes played for the Astros in 2011 and mentored another young ball player.
Barmes shows his veteran leadership by teaching how to keep the game in control.
"Mainly he (Barmes) would always talk about slow heartbeat," Mercer said. "Don’t get too excited, if you get too excited the game speeds up and mistakes start happening. Just relax and stay calm and everything will work out for itself."
Barmes turned 34 on March 6th and enters his 11th year in Major League Baseball.
"He is right in his prime," Mercer said. "I tell him all the time that he is right in his prime."
Minor League Infield Coordinator Gary Green worked with the Detroit Tigers organization from 1999 through 2004 and with the Pirates organization since 2006.
"He is a great guy," J.D. Martinez, Oklahoma City Redhawks Left Fielder. "When he played with us (Astros) he was one of those guys that would always help you. I mean me coming up, I was a rookie and he would come up to me nervous as heck, freaking out and he would say relax. Slow the game down, you’re here for a reason. He made me feel at home and comfortable. That was just huge and just shows a lot of his character the fact that he came over to me. Even still today when I see him, he will always throw a couple words of advice to me and I got nothing but positive things to say about Clint."
"From what I hear he is one of the best defenders around," Alex Dickerson, Bradenton Marauders first baseman. "He has a great work ethic and you got to respect that. He works hard everyday."
Jordy Mercer, Indianapolis Indians infielder, got the chance to play with Barmes in spring training. Barmes would play second base while Mercer would play shortstop.
“ I love him. He is awesome,” Mercer said. “When I first got called up last year, he really helped me out in every situation possible. He always had an open door policy. You could pretty much go up to him and ask him any kind of question.”
See a full statistical history of Barmes' Minor League career.
See a full statistical analysis of Barmes' Major League career.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Video by Rachel Fagan
Clint Barmes talks about his Uncle Bruce Barmes, who also played major league baseball. Bruce Barmes played with the Washington Senators in 1950 as a pinch hitter and a right fielder.
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