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Former Mingus standout awaits his breakp It’s been a long, interesting road for Cottonwood’s Travis McClendon

It’s been his determination, faith in God and the love of his wife JoDee that has helped Cottonwood’s Travis McClendon during his quest for the big leagues.

Graduating from Mingus Union High School in 1991, McClendon, who is studying to be a minister, went on to play for Yavapai College. On a full scholarship, he was joined by his younger brother Levi while with the Roughriders.

“We won the national title my sophomore year,” said McClendon. “Levi was there when I made the all-tournament team. I was blessed. It was probably the highlight of my career.”

Following his success at Yavapai, McClendon was recruited by the University Nevada-Las Vegas where he studied graphic design and played baseball for two years.

Since his college days, the soon-to-be father has had his hands full. While pursuing areas of his faith in God, Travis has sharpened his focus on not only what he wants from baseball, but what he would like to give to his fans.

“I’d like to be a licensed minister in the major leagues,” said McClendon. “I want to use baseball as a platform to preach. I am using it now, but it would be on a bigger scale in the big leagues.”

McClendon, a catcher, could have been drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals during his junior year at UNLV, but opted not to declare himself eligible.

“I went back to play my senior year at UNLV after struggling,” said McClendon. “My senior year, the Cards called me on draft day at the end of the season.”

McClendon played at the highest A-level before being moved to AA. The move would eventually not work out for McClendon who had an injured wrist, but he learned from the experience.

“I sat for a month and a half, so I packed up when they didn’t take me off the DL,” said McClendon. “I was away from wife. Looking back, maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing.”

After being released in ‘97, and with two seasons of professional ball under his belt, McClendon headed back to Arizona. He worked with his father building homes for the remainder of the year.

In ‘98, McClendon told his agent not to try to get him on with any other teams.

What next, he asked himself?

The same year, and by choice without an agent, McClendon played in Elmira, N.Y. where he had a successful season in the Independent League.

After declining five offers from another Independent League team, McClendon talked it over with JoDee.

Not long after, he packed up his things in ‘99 and headed to St. George, Utah. to play with the Pionerzz.

“We prayed about it,” said McClendon. “I said God is leading us there. It turned out to be the best year in professional baseball in five years.”

In the Independent League, the money is better than in the minor leagues. The IL is filled with players from the big leagues, AAA and AA players who may have gotten hurt, were let go or quit.

“They’re more popular than the minors,” said McClendon. “I played in the Northern League, which is the biggest Independent League.”

Instead of busing to games as he did in the minor league, McClendon and his teammates were flown to each game.

“They provide meals for the team,” said McClendon. “They paid for my wife to fly out and we got our own hotel room. The team treated us real good. We didn’t want to come home. I had the best year ever.”

Halfway through the season, the Houston Astros and the Seattle Mariners were talking with McClendon.

“The Mariners got to me first,” said McClendon. “They came to six games in a row. Each time a higher scout would show up.”

The “cross checker” is the main scout who needs to be impressed.

“If he likes you, you’re in,” said McClendon. “One game I threw five guys out. I ended up leading my team in hitting and I had a lot of stolen bases. The Mariners wanted to sign me.”

McClendon’s contract said he would at least play AA with the possibility of AAA.

After the ‘99 season, things got even better. McClendon got a call from the U.S. Olympic Team asking if he would play in Sydney, Australia.

In Australia, every other year, the Intercontinental Cup is held. It is to baseball what the Goodwill Games are to track and field.

Teams from around the globe converge for a competitive tournament. It is the pre-cursor tournament to the Olympics.

“We played in the Olympic Stadium against teams from Cuba, Japan, Korea, China, Italy, Norway and Australia,” said McClendon.

McClendon’s team, which was put together in just four days, placed fourth out of 10 teams. Japan defeated the U.S., snagging third place.

“Japan’s pitcher dominated us,” said McClendon. “I was sore and stiff because I hadn’t done anything since September. We played against the best. We beat Japan in the first game, and we beat everyone except Australia and Cuba. We lost to Japan.”

Mariners’ spring training begins March 2 at the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria. The 2000 season will tell McClendon a lot about his future and whether or not he will get his break.

“I’m old in baseball years,” said McClendon. “It’s do or die. I’m excited to play. It’s all about spring training. If spring training goes well, I could get my chance in the bigs. I feel like I can play in the bigs. I hit well in the tourney and those are professional guys there. I’m very excited.”

Over the winter, McClendon has worked out every morning at 6 a.m.

McClendon spent the last month at his alma mater UNLV practicing with the baseball team.

“They have the best of everything at UNLV,” said McClendon. “They’re real nice to the alumni.

“I want to give thanks to the Lord for blessing me with the talent to play the game I love so much. Also for sending me my wife JoDee. She’s been so supportive and I couldn’t do it without her support. She goes to my games, stays up late and tells me I can do something when I say I can’t. I thank God for opening doors.

“My goal in baseball is not just to make it to the top level, but also to be a light and a witness to people that I come in contact with to show them Jesus through my actions in life, using baseball as a stepping stone. The money is great, but that’s not why I’m playing.”


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