BlueClaws Quotables: Manager Marty Malloy Talks

Marty Malloy, image- Jay Floyd

During their opening home stand recently I had the opportunity to chat with new skipper of the Class A Lakewood BlueClaws Marty Malloy.

The 45-year-old spent time as a player in the big leagues with the Braves and Marlins. Since he retired from playing, Malloy, the 12th manager in BlueClaws history, has managed the Astros' Gulf Coast League team for the past three seasons.

Among the topics Malloy touches on are highly ranked prospects such as starting pitcher Sixto Sanchez and outfielder Mickey Moniak. He also speaks on the leadership of some returning players, the crowds in Lakewood and more. Read ahead for those quotes.

-I asked about his early impressions on Sixto Sanchez as well as Mickey Moniak...

It's a great impression what they've done. You know, I'm very fortunate, lucky if you will, to have two guys of that caliber at that age at this level on this team. And what they do bring to the table, it can only rub off in a good way for other kids that are here to go along this journey as well.

-I asked about returning players Harold Arauz, Zach Morris, Cord Sandberg and if they could be leaders toward guys wearing the Lakewood uniform for the first time...

It's so early in the season I don't think we have truly reached that point yet. I kind of think behind the scenes is where this has happened, as far as what to expect, what to look for. Rather it was it Hagerstown or it was in Kannapolis now leading up to (the team coming home). Just for them to be able to share their past and what they've seen in this league for all these new guys that didn't know what to expect and what was going to take place.

-Speaking on his early impressions of Lakewood...

Unbelievable! I've played in a lot of stadiums, including in the big leagues, and this stadium in a lot of ways reminds me of Louisville, Kentucky when I was in Triple-A. One of my favorite places of all time. So...to walk into this stadium, after coming off the road, to see this, is for the South Atlantic League I don't think you can beat it.

-Additional thoughts on Sandberg...

He's somebody that has been in the trenches, that's had success, that's had failure, has been through the leagues, has been through the bus rides, just little things that he can share and be a positive influence on a day to day basis. And, you know, a position player or a pitcher, so to speak, may be having a bad day or when everything's just not right and he's been through some ups and downs, so the fact that he can share experience from this league with these kids can only help.

He's got off to a good start, which we would have expected, but just to have his presence in there when times may not be going good, you know what you're going to get out of him. It's, obviously, a good thing for the team.

-A few words on what fans can expect of pitcher Adonis Medina...

A power arm. Got a good mix. He's going to be consistently in the strike zone with a power arm.

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