Outfielder Einertson Keeps Perspective

by Matt Rogers

He grew up in Oceanside, California, and “did the whole skateboarding and surfing thing.”

But his heart lies with the desert, where his grandfather lives.

During the off-season, he enjoys dune buggies and trophy trucks, off-road racing and motorcycles – as a spectator. A friend is building a truck, and he looks forward to hanging out, then relaxing by a campfire.

“I have to stay off motorcycles now,” Mitch Einertson said of his Astros contract. “It wouldn’t be a good thing if I had to pick up the phone and call them with some bad news about an injury.”

At an early age, it would’ve been fair to characterize the second-year Hooks outfielder as a thrill-seeker. Adventure called him, even as a toddler.

“I was all over the place when I was a kid,” Einertson said.  “They say I walked the walls. I was always on the move, getting into things.”

Baseball at eight appealed to his interests, athleticism and sense of play. Football, basketball and wrestling came later, “but baseball was the thing that clicked with me.”

So did skateboarding and motorcycling. They still do today. But three head shots, a seven-stitch chin gash and losing a battle with a bike, Mexican earth and consciousness at 15 likely changed the course of Einertson’s young life.

“After my accident, the motorcycle was gone. My dad sold it.

“You can get hurt in baseball, you can get hurt doing anything. But things weren’t working out well on the bike or skateboard.”

Baseball was different. From his first days in the sport, Einertson performed as well as his older buddies. Yet, the thought of playing professionally didn’t consume him.

“I never expected to be in pro baseball until I got in pro baseball,” Einertson explained. “Sure, I dreamed about it. But, you know, I was thinking about all the games it took to get here just the other day… travel ball, fall ball, winter ball. That’s a lot of games and it takes time.”

Learning to value the journey has defined Einertson’s stay in Corpus Christi. A second-year Hook, he arrived before last season with impressive credentials.

Fifth-round draft choice. 2007 Carolina League MVP at High-A Salem, Virginia. CL batting champion (.305/11/87). 2004 Topps Appalachian League Player-of-the-Year (.308/24/67) at Greeneville, Tennessee, in rookie ball.

In 2008, Einertson missed a month due to injury and hit .364/4/20 over his last 28 games to finish at .262/11/62. He recorded two four-hit games and a pair of two home run performances. The Hooks struggled much of the season.

“As a team it was real hard last year,” Einertson recalled. “If we got any positives going, the negatives were quick to follow. When that occurs, you sometimes start trying to do too much, to make things happen.

“When I first got here, I was excited about my role, but didn’t start well. I wanted to take advantage of it, but tried to do too much and almost played myself out of that role. Then, I was out and it’s worse when you can’t do anything about it, when you have to sit and watch.”

Over time, Einertson has come to better understand the mental side of the game.

“Sometimes, you just have to clear your head, remind yourself, ‘I know how to hit.’ You have to make sure you don’t make it more than it is. That’s where Bodie (hitting coach Keith) has been helpful.”

So have long-time teammates Ryan McKeller, Brad James, Wladimir Sutil and Sergio Perez, friends since the low minors.

“Sometimes I’ll ask them (for advice) because they’ve seen me for a while. It’s good for me to talk with them when I have something on my mind.”

So have Hooks fans, who appreciate the time Einertson makes for them.

“The surroundings here are outstanding,” he said. “So many people know what you’re doing, what you’ve done. They want to know when my parents are coming back. I feel comfortable here. People really care about you. I’ve enjoyed playing in front of them for two years.”

One senses Einertson runs silently, runs deeply. That, with perhaps some California cool mixed in.

“I pretty much go about my business. I’m not a talk guy, but more of an observer,” he noted. “Relax and enjoy your surroundings, what you’re doing, the people you’re with. It doesn’t matter what you do. Have a good time, be relaxed. Enjoy being at the field. You have to look at this as a job, but learn to relax. That’s what I’ve learned in Corpus Christi.

“There’s so much you can’t control, but you can control how you play.”

Sage wisdom from a 23-year-old.