51s’ Lindsey still ‘having a blast,’ delivering blasts

If John Lindsey were in a political race, there would be no need for primaries or caucuses or superdelegates.

He would win the popular vote in a landslide -- at least in the 51s' dugout.

Las Vegas manager Lorenzo Bundy, on Lindsey: "It's refreshing to know that there are still people in our world, not just players, but people in our world who are like him."

Teammate Xavier Paul, on Lindsey: "John is always positive. For a guy who has spent 14 years in minor league baseball, that's pretty impressive. It shows just how good of a person he is, to still be not bitter."

Lindsey, on Lindsey, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI triple in the 51s' 5-3 loss to Salt Lake on Saturday night at Cashman Field: "You always have to keep that positive air about yourself. Because this game is tough, it's tough. But every day, I'm out here having a blast."

Constantly flashing that wide smile (think a younger James Earl Jones, right down to the deep voice and Mississippi roots), Lindsey is the unofficial ambassador -- "The Mayor" -- in the 51s' clubhouse. Lindsey, who was called up from Double-A Jacksonville midway through last season, is one of only nine returning 51s from 2007.

He almost never made it to Jacksonville. After a stint with the New Jersey Jackals of the independent Can-Am league, Lindsey returned to his hometown to call it a career. A phone call from the Dodgers in early January brought him from the brink of retirement.

Then a funny thing happened on the way to Hattiesburg, Miss. He started hitting. And hitting. And hitting.

With the Suns, Lindsey batted .286; then came Las Vegas, a .333 batting average, 19 home runs and 88 RBIs in 77 games.

"The older you get, the more you're around the game, the more you learn from your mistakes," said Lindsey, 31. "You say, 'Ah, I see why he did that. I'll remember that.' "

His torrid streak of 2007 has continued this season.

Dating to last season, Lindsey has hit safely in 25 consecutive games, and he had four hits in the 51s' 12-5 loss to Salt Lake on Friday.

Game after game, Lindsey makes his case for his first call-up. Not just with his patient approach but his clubhouse demeanor. After 13 full years in the minor leagues, residual bitterness might be expected, a bit of regret about never getting a ticket to the show.

Instead ...

"I think there's an inner peace within himself that what he's doing, he's giving it his best shot," Bundy said. "The legend of John Lindsey, it'll probably live on for a little while. At least in the minor leagues, and at least in my mind, it will for a long time.

"I'm a minor league rat -- John's one of my minor league mice."

Maybe he will get that shot. Maybe his dreams will come true. Maybe he will keep hitting and hitting and hitting, all the way to the majors.

If it happens, Disney might make the next call -- the real James Earl Jones playing John Lindsey Sr., perhaps? -- because Lindsey's story is everyone's underdog tale.

"I just hope it happens," Lindsey said, grinning. "I hope they can make one like that. I don't know how to explain if that'd ever happen. I get tears just thinking about that. It'd be an awesome day for me."

Imagine, the minor league mouse finally getting the cheese.

Contact reporter Jon Gold at jgold@ reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4587.