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Wellborn graduate makes big leagues

Thursday, February 9, 2012

JACKSONVILLE,AL.-Sam Byrd was often referred to as Babe Ruth’s legs in the late stages of the Bambino’s career. Shayne Kelley will be Josh Hamilton’s helping hand in a career that’s just hitting its stride.

Kelley, a Wellborn grad and former Jacksonville State assistant coach, was hired earlier this week as a special staff assistant for the Texas Rangers.

While the Eastaboga native will be involved in various on-field aspects with the two-time American League champions, mostly he’ll serve as the accountability partner for Hamilton, the former No. 1 overall pick who has battled demons of substance abuse while becoming one of the best players in baseball.

“It’s a unique position,” Kelley said Wednesday night. “It requires a baseball guy, but it also requires something else that’s a little different. It’s every kid’s dream to be a part of something; I think the correct term is something greater than yourself. That’s what I see this as — being part of something that’s bigger than me.

“The best way I can describe it is, biblically speaking, David had a guy, Jonathan. He was a servant unto David and he loved that position and took pride in that position. If you look at very high-powered successful men around the country, they all have somebody who’s surrounding them who’s that guy who serves that guy, who meets the need of whatever that would be.”

Kelley, 43, takes over the support role for Hamilton that the slugger’s long-time friend Johnny Narron held before leaving in November to become the Milwaukee Brewers’ hitting coach. The Rangers announced last month Hamilton’s father-in-law had been hired as a staff special assistant, but Michael Dean Chadwick later decided against accepting that position because of “family considerations.”

Although Kelley had no previous connection with Hamilton, he was recommended by the player’s agent, Mike Moye, and Chuck Morgan, the team’s senior vice president for ballgame entertainment whose son played at Alabama while Kelley was there.

Hamilton, the 2010 AL MVP, came under scrutiny last week after he was seen drinking during dinner in Dallas in what he later described as a “weak moment” stemming from “personal reasons” involving a family member. Kelley accompanied him Monday to meetings in New York with doctors for Major League Baseball and the players association in the wake of the relapse. Any disciplinary action is pending and for now the player is preparing for spring training.

“I think the Rangers are fulfilling a position that can serve the organization through baseball and they’re looking for someone who can serve a specific player to aid in his success,” said Kelley, who said he’s trying to keep a low profile and has given interviews only to The Star and the Gadsden Times since his hiring. “I told them I was committed to doing whatever I need to do to make him successful and make the Rangers successful.

“My theme is this serves the Rangers and it serves Josh. I just think I’m that guy from time to time who just gives him that encouragement he needs to push through some tough days. Maybe the voice that says you can do it.”

It didn’t take long for the two to bond. On one of their first visits together, they slipped away for a little fishing and now have what seems to have become a season-long competition on the lake. When Hamilton learned his new assistant didn’t have a vehicle, he gave Kelley his lightly used truck; the next day Kelley, told earlier he was the only other person to drive the truck, wrecked it backing down the driveway.

“Everybody was like, ‘Atta boy, Shug, way to make an entrance,’” Kelley said. “In my mind I’m thinking I just signed a major-league contract today and I’m being fired tomorrow.”

Unlikely. Based on his knowledge of the job and its principals, Jax State baseball coach Jim Case called the partnership “a great matchup.”

Kelley certainly won’t be in awe of the major-league experience, Case said. He played in the Kansas City Royals minor-league system, going to big-league spring training one year, and later was the organization’s minor league strength and conditioning coach from 1999-2001.

He was the Gamecocks’ volunteer assistant for four years, leaving after last season to coach wrestling at Southside High School. He also coached at Alabama (where he was team chaplain), Samford and Gadsden State.

“Shug has some unique qualities about him,” Case said. “He’s a different type of individual than what you’re used to being around because he’s never been driven by the same things a lot of us are driven by. … He’s not driven by money; he’s driven to try to do whatever it is he feels like God has for him to do.

“He’s very much loved by the people he works with and I think the reason is because he’s not in a relationship for what he can get out of it, but what he can give to the relationship. I think people really like that about him because it’s a different quality than most and it’s something, truthfully, that maybe a lot of us would like to see more of in ourselves.”

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