With such a long playing season and strenuous offseason routine, it can be difficult for former Vol Chase Headley to make the trip back to Knoxville. But Saturday afternoon the former Tennessee third baseman made it back to be honored during the Vols basketball game.
“It is great to be back in town again,” Headley said. “I don’t have much time to stay around after this due to other obligations, but it is always nice to come back to where I really got my start.”
During his fifth full-season with the San Diego Padres in 2012, Headley enjoyed a breakout year. The third baseman led the National League with 115 RBIs, hit .286 and belted 31 home runs. He was honored with his first Silver Slugger and Gold Glove Awards.
He attributes his success at the plate to changes to his swing he made during the offseason.
“There were a couple things mechanics-wise that I changed,” Headley said. “I had a big focus on really working on hitting the ball in the cage with a lot of backspin, being elevate the ball to the pull side. You’re not going to hit a lot of homeruns to the opposite field in the Big Leagues, especially in PETCO Park. For me, I knew I had to get back to being able to pull the ball in the air. That was a big focus for me.”
Headley, who played at Tennessee in 2004-05, helped lead the Vols to a Regional appearance in his first year and the Volunteers’ most recent College World Series appearance in 2005.
“I look back at 2005 and just how many Big Leaguers on that team is amazing,” Headley said. “You know at the time that you have some really good players around you, but you realize 3-4 years down the road how good it really was.”
The former Vol was also complimentary of head coach Dave Serrano and the path the baseball program is currently on.
“I don’t think anybody isn’t excited about what he (Serrano) is doing here,” Headley said. “He has as good of credentials as anybody in college baseball. He’s had success, he’s done it and I think he’s a perfect fit here. A lot of new faces from what I understand, but he had to get his guys in here and get a chance to work with them. I think the future is extremely bright.”
The second year head coach is also excited to have a player like Headley associated with the program and to be able to reach out to a successful Major League player.
“He obviously had a tremendous season for the Padres and we are extremely proud to have been able to honor him for his remarkable achievements,” Serrano said. “He played a very important role in creating the great tradition of this program and continues to serve as a terrific representative for (UT). I had the opportunity to speak with him on Saturday and it is clear that he takes great pride in being a Vol. We look forward to having him involved with our program for years to come.”
The fifth-year pro was unable to meet with the team, but wished them the best on the upcoming season.
After a big year, Headley is concentrating on blocking out distractions and continuing to improve his game.
“There is always external pressure you can put on yourself, but for me I try not to let that effect me,” Headley said. “The game is hard enough as it is to worry about what people think or expect you to do. It is just added pressure. Putting the work in, having a good routine, and if I do that I think I’ll have a pretty good season.”
