Sports
Baysox First Baseman Mahoney Making Up for Lost Time
Bowie's first baseman was hampered by injuries for more than two months, but has given the Baysox offense a major lift since returning to action in June.
Bowie first baseman Joe Mahoney couldn’t help but be frustrated.
The 24-year old Mahoney had entered the season eager to follow up a tremendous 2010 campaign, during which he was named the Orioles’ Minor League Player of the Year.
Yet, for most of the first two and a half months of the season, Mahoney was forced to just sit and watch, hampered by a lingering quadriceps injury which forced two separate trips to the disabled list.
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But, for as frustrating as the early part of the year may have been, Mahoney has tried his best to make up for lost time since returning to action during the middle of June.
“It was definitely frustrating watching everyone play, and wanting to be out there,” said Mahoney, a sixth-round pick of the Orioles in 2007. “But that happens sometimes and you just have to deal with it, roll with the punches and get healthy as fast as you can.”
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And since getting healthy, Mahoney has provided the middle of the lineup run-producing presence that Bowie sorely lacked when he was injured. The 6-foot-6, 240-pound slugger has hit .294 in 41 games since returning with 19 extra-base hits (10 doubles, three triples, six home runs) and 34 RBI during that span.
The Baysox, meanwhile, who averaged just more than three runs per game in May (3.17), have averaged more than five runs per contest (5.3) since Mahoney returned from the disabled list June 14.
Mahoney hit a combined .307 with 30 doubles, 18 home runs and 70 RBI in 124 games between Bowie and Single-A Frederick last season.
“Joe gives us a lot of stability,” Bowie manager Gary Kendall said. “He’s a guy that’s got power and can change the game with one swing of the bat.”
Kendall said he sees Mahoney “pressing a little bit offensively at times” and wants to get him to be more consistent, but added, “He’s going to be fine, though. He’s gotten a lot better, and is going to be a good player.”
In the final month and a half of the season, though, Mahoney says he just wants to “be consistent, finish the year strong, help the [Baysox] make the playoffs.”
Mahoney’s long-term goal remains the same, though.
“My goal has always been to make it to the big leagues,” Mahoney said, adding that he strives to be able to “make an impact in Baltimore, win up there and try to get to the playoffs up there.”
