Former CSN infielder makes it to the big leagues

By Jared Harmon

Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 | midnight

It took more than two decades but former College of Southern Nevada infielder Sean Kazmar has achieved his dream.

The 24-year-old shortstop made his major league debut for the San Diego Padres Aug. 13 after a four-year journey through the minor leagues.

"My parents put me in baseball when I was 4 years old, so the way I look at it, it took me 20 years to get here," Kazmar said. "It feels great. It feels like all my hard work has paid off to get me to this point. Now I have to start working to stay here."

Kazmar was called up from the Double-A San Antonio (Texas) Missions Aug. 9 to replace injured shortstop Khalil Greene. Kazmar was hitting .264 with 39 RBIs, 53 runs and three home runs in 111 games.

"It was unexpected and I was a little shocked, but I just calmed myself and tried to focus on playing my best," he said. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous when I first took the field, but (Milwaukee Brewers shortstop) J.J. Hardy sent a grounder straight to me on like the fifth pitch of the game. I fielded it cleanly and calmed down after that."

When Kazmar got his first at bat in the bottom of the second inning, he knocked a two-out line drive to left field off reigning American League Cy Young award-winner CC Sabathia for his first hit.

Southern Nevada coach Tim Chambers drove to San Diego to see his former player make his debut and become the first Coyote to reach the majors. He told Kazmar the night before how he should approach his first at-bat against Sabathia.

"I told him, 'Sabathia is 6 feet, 6 inches and you're 5 feet 9 inches. My guess is he's going to throw you a fastball,'" Chambers said. "I told him to make up his mind early that he's going to be looking first-pitch fastball and take his best swing. Sure enough, CC tossed one in there at 96 mph and Sean dumped it into left field."

That was Kazmar's only hit in 14 at-bats as of last Monday.

Chambers has maintained a strong relationship with Kazmar since recruiting him six years ago and considers him one of the best players he's coached.

"I've watched him through the ups and downs since he was drafted and it was kind of crazy to go see him play in the bigs," Chambers said. "He called the next morning he got called up at 6:30 a.m. and I said, 'I know you're not calling this early to say hi — you got called up.' He started crying and I cried to. It was pretty emotional."

The emotions are still strong two weeks with the club, Kazmar said.

"Taking batting practice for the first time was just awesome," Kazmar said. "It was everything I imagined it would be. I did a 360 degree turn out on the field and just took it all in. It's like a dream come true."

Jared Harmon is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-8922 or [email protected].