Mende goes in 40th round to Yankees

Clearwater Central Catholic shortstop Sam Mende was selected in the 40th round by the Yankees.

Mende, a USF recruit, hit .480 with eight home runs and seven triples this past season for the Marauders.

-- BOB PUTNAM

Comments

Clarification:
Sam Mende was called in the 7th round by the Yankees last evening. He made the decision to go to USF. They called again today to put him in the draft.

Sure Sam

The Mende Family would like 6:50 PM removed. We do not need to make excuses for Sam. He will make it on his own. Thanks, Kelly

Sam in lucky Corey Thomas will go pro or he would have never seen the field. 7th round draft picks don't look as bad as Sam did throwing that ball home in the all-star game. Mark my words Sam won't get drafted again.

7:12 were you in the draft AT ALL? Just curious. I've watched sam for 4 years in high school. pretty steady kid. Not the best, but very steady. few errors in high school career, 450+ batting average 4 yrs. straight. not perfect, but pretty good

Sam doesn't need to get drafted again. He is going to college to play baseball. Good luck in you future Sam.

[chris gerbasi]

Congrats Sam!

40th round? guess he shluldn't have done all that trash talking

people please stop. Sam's a great player. He's put a lot of hard work into baseball and it's paid off by being able to play in college and potentially the majors. just be happy for a good player from this area. good job Sam...you deserve it.

Proud of you Sam!! (Don't forget your old seat.)

Poor little sam - like 8:17 said- he shouldn't have done all that trash talking all those years! You wouldn't know the real sam unless you've played with him. Little Eddie Haskal.

Poor little sam?? did u get drafted anywhere???? are you playing for a d1 school???? go get a life sounds like ur a bit jealous!!!

you bet I am

what jealous or school???

Probably would have gone sooner if he didn't look so ugly throwing home in the all-star game. What was that?

Sam- Congratulations on whatever your decision is - I know that all that matters to you is that you play baseball and there is no doubt in our minds that you will pull that off, being it is your dream. No need to pay attention to all the junk on these blogs - call it what you want. Good Luck- The Webers

I think that throw home was an error. Very common in baseball- even at the pro level.

You people are so jealous, I'm a fan of pinellas county baseball and the people that are on Sam Mende are so off base. Sam is one of the best players to come through this county in a long time. I never rememember anyone getting on Bobby Wilson when he was drafted in the 48th rd out of St. Pete College and 4 yrs later he makes it to the big leagues. I have no ties to any team in the county, I just like to watch good baseball, anyone that doesn't think Sam Mende is a good player is either jealous or just plain dumb when it comes to eveluating baseball talent.

[3mom]

Playing college ball AND getting an education. Sounds like a pretty happy ending to me. The icing on the cake is the pro career will still be an attainable dream for Sam Mende. Keep your head up and your eyes on the ball. The rest will take care of itself.

3:47
MOM WAY TO MAKE YOUR SON FEEL BETTER

Sam will play pro ball, it is just a question of when. He will get his education, play 3 years of competitive college baseball and be very successful

BLAH BLAH BLAH

Even Sam's teammates don't like playing with him.

as 4:42 put it so well
BLAH BLAH BLAH

It's history now people. Move on

Man. They hate you when you win. How many kids got drafted from Pinellas this year? Three. Two from CCC and one from Dunedin. There are a lot of frustrated dads who hate anyone who does bettter than there kid. They are jealous haters. They are warped frustrated old men who only get joy out of knocking the accomplishments of others. They attack a 17 teen year old kid for getting drafted by the Yankees because they and thier kid did not.

Consider the source. They dont hate on Pinellas Park in Football. They hate on New England. THey don't hate on the Pirates in baseball . THey hate on the Yankees and the RedSox.

The fact that they are hating on you tells you that you are the real deal.

I don't know about "real deal" but yeah you can say that their haters, but to say that they are jealous, thats stupid. People love to use that word "jealous" when you give your opinion. What are they exactly jealous about? That they almost made and didn't, or what. I would call them haters. Hey Bob Putnam, you should classify the word jealous as a cuss word, cause if you did, people wouldn't know what to say. Every other damn post has the word jealous. Think of another word people.

Didn't ya notice that any h.s. player with a high GPA either got drated very late or not at all? Get as much of an education as you can and then get drafted high - have the best of both.

Easy for everyone else to tell people what to do- basically- mind your own business - didn't your mom ever tell you if ya don't have anything to say don't say it at all?!?

correction - if you don't have anything NICE to say- don't say it at all

11:12 - like you are teh GPA guru

the scouts know if a player doent go in the first 7, and has good grades they are wasting there time, they will follow them after college

[Rick]

Get the Mende parents off the blog.....maybe some sense will be made of it all

Ditto - post on 9:40pm

Ditto - except it would be top 1-2rds - if not, go to college.

in response to the person who said Sam's teammates dont even like playing with him...well, ive been playing with Sam for the past 4 years and I couldn't have asked for a better shortstop, leader, or friend. So congrats Sam...you'll do great

to 10:32 - you are the minority

[Jesse]

Calls himself money!Ha Ha No money in the 40th round.Take your 2.0 gpa and got to USF. No hits in CCC'S run to the states, some money playa.

Look. Jealous is exactly the right word unless you are onr of the other two kids from Pinellas who got drafted. You are a warped, bitter, frustrated old man who is jealous of the success of others. Talent is a gift from god that is bestowed how it is bestowed. There is no right or wrong to it dont hate the player hate the game. God did not choose to bless you or your kid in that way. Get over it. Hating like that in the end only hurts you. I feel sorry for truly pathetic and hateful life.

According to Webster:

Jealous- hostile toward a rival or one believed to enjoy an advantage.

If that does not describe you I dont know what does.

[rich]

Sam is a great talent

[TampaChessDon]

It's hard to tell from a school that doesn't post on MaxPreps, but I wonder how many of those home runs were against the tougher opponents like Tampa Catholic and Jesuit, as opposed to St. Pete Catholic or Lennard. In any case, 8 homers is impressive, even in a 3A Private School District. Good luck at USF.

Is there any new sports news???

[RAH]

Sam is my friend and my mentor, and I am proud to say my teammate - To be anti Sam Mende is to not know him or baseball. If you saw him every day and the work he put in with his attention to detail, his knowledge of the game the negatives here would not exist. There were 148 players drafted in Florida, 7 or 8 in Tampa Bay 3 in Pinellas, Sam Mende was one of those players. He played in every All Star game there was selected by people who know a player. To the uninformed, the resentful you should be embarrassed, ashamed of your disrespect for baseball, if you play be proud of a fellow player if you watch be proud for a successful local player and if the disgruntled Dad’s do exist be proud for the player and the family because you know the work, the sweat the 100’s of 100 Degree Sundays – you know what it took for Sam Mende to accomplish what he has and you know dreams come true.

CONGRATS SAM!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

Obviously Sam is good, if he says no in the 7th round, but they, yankees, do not want to give up on him and they call again. Obviously he has talent.

[GRAMS]

CONGRATULATIONS,SAM. I'm very proud of you. Guess I will have to be making more trips. Ignore all the dissatisfied people. Keep up the good work. What a GRANDSON!!!!!!

[GRAMS]

CONGRATULATIONS,SAM. I'm very proud of you. Guess I will have to be making more trips. Ignore all the dissatisfied people. Keep up the good work. What a GRANDSON!!!!!!

Just giving it some time. We thought we'd check back after most of the immature people had gone to nap, nap time or perhaps were getting their diapers changed. Sort of like jealousy or stuck with sitting in their own stink. As far as trash talk, you know some peoples trash are anothers treasures and right now this is a dream for Sam and unfortunatly not for some of those people on this blog prior to this. Live the Live you Love and Love the Life you Live! SAM, stay focused and on your mission. You have always been told by many that to keep your dream alive makes for hard work. Keep working hard and enjoy one of lifes experiences. You know you'll get out what you put into it and everything I have heard over the years is all about your hard work and efforts. Base your thoughts on what you know about yourself not on what others think they know about you. Also... know that this dream is part of a certain plan for you and what happens will happen by God's grace. Never forget that. Join FCA and they will help you walk through this journey. For now! We are thinking about you across the miles and continue to keep the faith and prayers coming your way. WAY TO GO SAM! GOOD LUCK ON THE JOURNEY! S-L-A-E & L-L

S-L-A-E & L-L & Grams too!
THANK YOU!!! Sam never reads these blogs. In fact, when I share stuff with him, he could care less. He says that it comes with the territory. In fact, he so elequently expressed the crude, but so very true statement, that opinions are like #$*holes- everyone has one. (as only Sam would say) I did want you to know that as a parent, I appreciate the positives. There will always be skeptics and haters. Thank God Sam knows that they are not important, nor do they stay in the way of his dreams. So thank you again, and keep the prayers coming- they do matter, and they will also help Sam attain his dreams. Remember Sam's favorite bible verse:
"I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO STRENGTHENS ME" he knows it, and so do we!
Love you guys,
Kelly

HERE WE GO WITH THE BIBLE-THUMPERS!

[Smithe]

You go Cuz!!! Do what you think is right...replace the negative with the positive!!

Jeremiah 29:11 (The Message)
"I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for."

Ur Bible-Bang'n Cousin,
Smithe

Oh, look- you woke up from your night nap. Time for another bottle or feeding I suppose. Or maybe just wet the bed a little. Thanks for the compliment. I like Bible Thumper. Maybe we didn't give you enough credit after all. Thumper actually means (to make a vigorous endorsement) according to the dictionary. SO YES WE ARE NOT ASHAMED- BIBLE THUMPER YES WE ARE. MAKING A VIGOROUS ENDORSEMENT FOR THE WORD! GODS WORD! Signing off: BIBLE THUMPER!

I'm sorry but there is no way he got a call before the 7th round and rejected the offer, then got the official call in the 40th. Im pretty sure the BIG LEAGUE club has plenty of other prospects.
Not jealous just being realistic.

Mr. Realistic (1:02),
The Yankees are still very interested in Mende, and he in them. He received a packet and phone call today. Negotiations are still underway. We are optimistic that the outcome will be good, either Yankees or school. Not a bad choice either way!!! By the way, the initial call came in the 7th, not before.If you are going to talk, make sure you have the facts straight. Since you are so concerned, keep the well wishes coming.

1:29, you are ignorant. Can't even comment on your stupidity!!

Yeah, I didn't think you christian people would want to talk about that.
The truth hurts.

What is fascinating to me, is that this blog was taken off days ago, and someone is still so disturbed about what is going on with Sam Mende. I am sorry that you are so obsessed about his life. Maybe you should get one of your own. I am family- I should be able to check on his situation. What is your excuse?????
GO AWAY!!!!!

Actually, I don't know the kid besides that garbage throw in the all-star game. Remember, the first impression is a lasting impression. Then people want to come on and say that he made it because of GOD. "And what happens will happen by GOD's grace". If something good happens, it's from hard work and being in the right place at the right time. It's not from GOD.

OK, so now go AWAY!!!!! THIS IS NOW FOR FAMILY ONLY. What are you a stalker???

anyone that would spend that much time trying to make someone else look bad really has a problem. why would they think that their opinion even matters to anyone. Freinds and family thats it
everyone elses opinions are not worth anything
Bud get your 0wn life and move on

The last time I checked, this is a NEWSPAPER BLOG. If ya'll want to talk about it amongst yourselves then have a family reunion. 11:00pm your actually right, these people are hilarious. All they want on here is good reviews. If you don't have nothing good to say, and can't give your OPINION then they don't want you on here. Christian people are funny like that. They live in la la land.
It's not just one person one this blog.

THIS Newspaper blog has been off the main blog for a week now. MOVE ON!!!!!

Come on dad - let it go, Sam.

I've never heard so much crap for an average player, to me it sounds like the kid isn't very well liked. and the part about being called in the 7th and passing is the biggest lie I have ever heard and if his parents are backing that up they need serious help!

Ok, now the gloves come off. I have decided to read and now respond to this nonsense. To begin with, my son is not an average player. He was drafted, and has been highly sought after, by the Yankees, until today. He was given exceptional treatment by the Yankees, and was offered great money considering the round he was finally drafted in. The Yankees were very gracious to offer him a second chance, and gave him a very substantial offer for the round he finally went in. WE are now very thankful to the Yankees for their efforts, but Sam has made his decision to attend college. If you knew Sam's baseball history over the last four years (and before), you would know that he is not an average player. We are glad that the Yankees did not think that Sam was average. Who are you to judge??? The Mende's are not weak, but we are human. WE are thankful for the gifts that Sam has, the people that helped him achieve to this point, and we disregard all you haters. Christians come in all forms, we are not perfect, but we don't rip on other people's children. That you may learn from. I will ask, like someone did before me. "Will you please give it a rest?" There are much bigger issues in life to worry about, besides my son. If you have any further comments, please address them directly to me, Sam's mom. And oh yeah, leave your name, so I know who I am talking to. Kelly

I must admit reading this blog has been entertaining although extremely time consuming. It seems to me the point to begin with was the kid got drafted. Congratulations and good luck.

[8]

All I have to say is WOW!

Why in the world would you respond to this stuff. You are letting the haters win by responding to them. It is just to stupid for words. Why give the power to ruin you life like this. Get over yourself and get over it.

[Emac2]

Sam,

Congrats on being drafted. I hope to see you sign and the good news is that if you do you won't have to deal with any more post draft blog comments.

[Sam Observer]

Sam plays the game with heart, maybe a little too much some times as he has to control his anger and emotions better. Sam is one of those guys that can and will get his rear end kicked because he says dumb stuff in the dugout to his own teammates. Super player, just control the fire inside.

[Andy]

Sam keep your head up. this blog made the Nomas.org site. NY is alot of things but the people here are not spitefull and obnoxious like the negative posters in this blog. Remember the yankees only draft high upside guys. You seem like one of these players. Good luck in FSU. In 3 years maybe you and the yankees will cross paths again.

[Nomas.org]

The head coach of the University of South Florida said last week that he was holding out hope not to lose anymore of his prized recruits to professional contracts, primarily Clearwater Central Catholic star shortstop and signability case, Sam Mende.

“I hope we don’t lose anybody else,” Prado said Monday, with specific praise for Clearwater Central Catholic Sam Mende, who was taken by the Yankees in the 40th round. Mende could take over for another Yankees draft pick, junior Addison Maruszak, and start at shortstop as a freshman for the Bulls. “He has a chance to be a great college player,” he said. “In three years, he could be Todd Frazier,” referring to Rutgers’ standout infielder, who was the No. 34 overall pick last year by the Reds.

Mende was seemingly quite the polarizing athlete in the Clearwater community, as you can see by the lengthy comments section on this simple blog entry from the Saint Petersburg Times.

Any info I get about Sam’s signing status will be posted here. Check back later tonight for a full draft overview.

[DIE HARD COLLEGE BASEBALL FAN]

It really doesn't matter somewhat of what coach Prado says about Mende. He HAS to say that, he recruited him. He would be STUPID to turn down USF to go to the Yankees in a 40th round selection. By the comments on this thread, it sounds like 1) not many kids liked playing with him and 2) he talked alot of sh*t to his teammates.
No wonder USF doesn't never get to the regionals. And I thought coach Prado came in to change direction. This is not a good direction to take in my opinion.

i went to school woth the kid and wont lie, he's a cocky jerk. but he is extremily dedicated and works harder then anyone ive ever seen. i guess he shouldnt have done all that talking.

"but Sam has made his decision to attend college." Quote from Mom ---

Then why is his girlfriend telling people he signed with the Yankees.

he signed fact!!!

[sean]

did he sign or not? i dont know him or his family just want to know if yankees got themselves a player---asumption from most who follow draft is that he will not sign with yankees---right or wrong? thanks for any input

Regarding this kids draft position and
the negative comments directed at him and his parents-Do the math. There are 10's of thousands of draft eligible kids in the US and elseware . To be one of the 1500 or so picked to play profesional baseball is a huge honor. As far as I'm concerned it's huge if you're the last pick in the 50th round! I don't know this kid nor have I ever seen him play but he must be pretty good...he's part of the elite 1500 club.

and further more from 6:00am..The decision to play college or pro ball out of high school is tough and can have a profound affect on the individuals baseball career. My opinion is based on my son's experience over the last 5 years. He was lucky enough to have the choice of playing college ball or going pro (out of high school). The pro scouts that came to our house all warned him that in general "college coaches are out to win at all cost and will use and abuse players to acheive that end"; or the opposite, you could be benched and not given a fair chance to compete for a position. Not all college coaches operate this way but unfortunatly many do.

His college career didn't go that well for various reasons; some his fault, some not his fault. He played for a school that had a fairly even tempered head coach but an assistant coach who was proned to frequent and extreme profanty laced tirades. He was a bit of a psycho based on many unsolicited comments from the players. It's the luck of the draw; they all tell you what you want to hear to get you signed. I would recommend contacting current and former players to get an idea of how the coaching staff operates. Politics and luck are a factor as well. Often times (for whatever reason) coaches have their favorites and will stick with certain guys even though they are not performing. I am thankful that pro scouts view baseball talent in terms of how a player "projects",IE how will they develope in 5 years under pro coaching and training. My son did not start and would go weeks without playing time; yet he was drafted. In fact 2 of the 3 players drafted from his school did not start. That baffles me....

As I said he was fortunate enough to get drafted out of college and is now in rookie ball. There is a huge difference in how the player is treated in pro ball. To sum it up: THEY GROOM YOU. They take the time to teach baseball and the facilities, nutrician and weight training are first rate. You don't progress until you are ready to progress...and yes if you stop progressing you get cut..It's a business.

Before you decide: Do your homework, talk to people, listen, try to make informed decisions and then keep your fingers crossed.

[Notorious DEA]

Did Mende sign with the greatest franchise in sports history or not? I hope he did

[sports fan]

Manchester United is the greatest franchise in sports, and I hate soccer.
Yankees don't have nothing on Manchester.

The bottom line in this whole thread is that nobody seems to like this kid. No matter where he goes it just seems that all he cares about is himself. Then his family wants to preach about christian this and christian that when they couldn't even raise their son to have values in life. The way it looks is ALOT of people dislike this kid who thinks his crap doesn't stink.

[Kimberly]

3:19pm on 6/21 - that is not the bottom line. I am sorry that the family got sucked into a anonymous, time wasting forum. It could take but one person to write all the hateful, jealous comments.

[Sam Observer]

Kimberly, I think you have it right and wrong. Hateful (yes some of these comments are), jealous (that isn't the facts). For some reason, Sam has built a reputation of being a TOUGH GUY when he's playing the game of baseball. He's good at the game, evident by being drafted. The point that's being made as I'm seeing it is that if Sam is reading this he needs to realize he would garner more support as an ambassador of the game rather than the ENEMY of his teammates and other teams by the way he carries himself. Now, that doesn't hold true to every single instance, but more times than not, that's how he carries himself...as Billy Bad Butt! The kid can play I doubt anyone on this blog would question that...it's the character traits that are being addressed.

Well said Sam Observer.

To the tee Baseball Observer

Yeah Kimberly, only one person is posting all these negative statements. You are a clueless person. Let me guess, I'm jealous right?

[Sid? Sid from Toy Story?]

Tell me Sam doesn't look just like Sid from Toy Story?

Google Sid of Toy Story and then click Images...

Still Mende? All this attention is amazing???????

hahahahah SIDD

Call it what you want-- hope he realizes what his image is out there

Good luck Sam !