Good-bye SIU, hello Major Leagues

Nelson and Stanek selected in the first day of draft

Luke Nelson and Jeff Stanek say farewell to SIU and step hopefully out into a bright and uncertain world.

While the beginning of the summer was calm as Carbondale lay empty and the Daily Egyptian press rested its tired ink rollers, June 4, 2002 was not just another lazy summer day for two of SIU’s premier baseball players anxiously awaiting the outcome the Major League Baseball Draft.

The wait may have been a nail biter, but that was lost in the overwhelming outcome of the draft. Nelson was selected in the 17th round by the San Francisco Giants, while the Arizona Diamondbacks took Stanek in the 20th round. Nelson and Stanek were both team captains and contributed to the best record the baseball team has produced in 10 years.

Stanek, at 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, has the ideal size for a Major League player. After leaving Lockport Township High School and coming to SIU, Stanek exploded as a freshman, going on a 16-game hitting streak and leading the team in home runs.

“I admired him because he wasn’t in awe of playing Division I ball,” said SIU head coach Dan Callahan.

Stanek started out playing third base, but after an arm injury in 2000 he was moved to first base, his current position. Callahan said that Stanek had a rough sophomore year but went on to have a better junior year, and finished with a strong senior year due to his commitment in the weight room.

Ross Kowzan, left fielder and designated hitter for the team, said, “Stanek was a vocal leader that kept you in the game.”

Callahan said the key to Stanek’s success in the Major Leagues will be consistent hitting and developing more power in his technique.

“Jeff Stanek doesn’t take the back seat to anyone defensively, even in pro-ball,” Callahan said.

Nelson came to SIU from his hometown in Oconomowoc, Wis., where he was conference player of the year.

Callahan said that the coaching staff admired Nelson from the start due to his determined approach to practice and games.

“He wouldn’t back off – diving for a ball in practice even with injuries,” Callahan said.

Callahan described Nelson as a two-way player who has the commitment and discipline to make the combination successful. Nelson played infield and pitched for the Salukis before he had surgery on his elbow at the end of his sophomore year.

Nelson said the rehabilitation process was long and painful.

“I never thought I would make it to this level with that injury,” Nelson said.

Callahan said that Nelson’s commitment to the rehabilitation of his elbow is the key to his success, and a tribute to where he is now.

“Luke was not a real vocal leader, but more of a ‘follow me’ leader. He would go out and show you how it’s done,” Kowzan said.

Nelson grew up playing baseball starting at the age of seven. He said the whole time he has been playing, his family has been tremendously supportive.

“Dad never pressured me; he always told me to just go out and have fun,” Nelson said.

Nelson is very grateful for the love and support of his family, who in his whole life of playing baseball, have only missed three or four games including college road games. Nelson’s two older brothers also helped contribute to his success in baseball, as they always coached him growing up. Nelson’s girlfriend, Julie Arndorfer, had mixed emotions about his selection into the Draft at first, but is very excited and supportive about it now.

Nelson spoke very highly of coach Callahan, describing him as a second dad who he could talk with about anything at anytime. Nelson contributed his selection in the draft primarily to the coaching of Callahan.

Nelson said that the team has an excellent coaching staff and a good group of new players that should be really competitive next season.

Callahan thought back to a game where Nelson threw a 94 mph fast ball the second to last pitch of the game after throwing over a hundred pitches.

“Not many guys can have that kind of arm strength after that many pitches,” Callahan said.

Stanek begins his pro career this summer in Montana, while Nelson begins his dream of playing professional baseball in Salem, Ore.

“If you could clone players like Nelson and Stanek you could have a team that has a great chance to be successful,” Callahan said.

Reporter Jack Piatt can be reached at [email protected]