Well-traveled Ardoin seeks one more trip to majors

Most people in his position probably would have moved on. But at age 33 and with plenty of miles logged in a 14-year professional baseball career, Danny Ardoin refuses to quit.

He still believes in his ability to throw out would-be base-stealers and hit.

He's in no rush to give up on the game and try to find a 9-to-5 job.

"I can still play," Las Vegas' veteran catcher said Saturday before the 51s' 7-2 victory over the Nashville Sounds at Cashman Field. "I've played a lot of ball. I've traveled. I've been through a lot of situations in this game. Physically, I'm still in great shape. I feel I have a few years left in me."

Ardoin's major league resume consists of 141 games played, a .202 batting average, seven home runs and 31 RBIs. He was the Colorado Rockies' starting catcher on Opening Day 2006.

He harbors no delusions about starting again in the big leagues. But Ardoin thinks he can be a valuable reserve for a team looking for an experienced catcher.

"I'm looking to be a backup," Ardoin said. "I've put up the numbers at Triple A. I just need an opportunity."

Ardoin has been solid in his brief time in Las Vegas, hitting .275 with four homers and 14 RBIs going into Saturday's game.

But his best asset has been his work behind the plate. Ardoin has thrown out 41 percent of runners trying to steal against 51s pitchers (in 2007, the average of runners thrown out by major league catchers was 26 percent).

"It's about anticipation," Ardoin said in explaining his success in throwing out 11 of the 27 runners who have attempted to steal a base. "That's the key. I try and stay focused every pitch and use my experience to know when a guy's going to try and steal."

Manager Lorenzo Bundy acknowledges the 51s are fortunate to have a veteran behind the plate.

"It's a luxury," Bundy said. "We have an extra coach on the field. Danny can see things we can't, and he's so good with our young pitchers. He's done a great job of mentoring them."

Ardoin knows mentoring is part of his job these days, but he has no desire to manage when he's done playing.

"I know I'd be good at it, but I can't see myself starting at the bottom and working my way through the bushes," he said. "If I can stay in the game, I'd like to be a roving instructor or a front-office guy, where you don't travel as much."

Ah, the travel. Since the Oakland Athletics drafted Ardoin in the fifth round of the June 1995 draft out of McNeese State, he has worn 19 different uniforms.

Ardoin is hoping for one more shot at donning a major league jersey. He split time in the Pacific Coast League last year between Round Rock and Memphis and came to Las Vegas even though he knows the parent Los Angeles Dodgers are set at catcher with Russell Martin. He also knows there's a hot young prospect, Lucas May, at Double-A Jacksonville.

But Ardoin said as long as he maintains his professional approach to the game and does his job, someone will notice.

"I'm not going to lie to you, sometimes it's hard, especially mentally," he said. "But I'm trying to play the game the right way. That's probably why I'm still here (playing)."

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.