Pellow's Hard Work Paves Way to Major Leagues
by Tyler Cundith

OVERLAND PARK, KS -- Kit Pellow has only known one way to play the game of baseball—as hard he possibly could, to the best of his ability. It didn't mater the level. Little league, college, the minors or Major League, Pellow always gave an all-out effort. He broke up double plays, crashed into walls going after balls, ran out every hit, and loved every minute of it.

"When the umpire says 'play ball', I play as hard as I can until the final out," Pellow said before his Colorado Rockies took the field April 21. "I am no different now than when I was a little boy first playing the game."

That inner desire enabled Pellow, a former Johnson County Community College All-American baseball player, to make an opening day roster for the first time in his professional career. He is the first former Cavalier to start the season in the Major Leagues. Pellow has served parts of the past two seasons with the Kansas City Royals and Rockies.

However, this year, Pellow went into spring training with the Colorado Rockies knowing he had a realistic chance to break camp with the team.

"I had a good September last year, and I wanted to carry that over into spring training this year," Pellow said. "Spring training is a long process, but knowing I had this chance kept pushing me to work harder and take extra practice time. I did what I needed to do so I would break camp with the club."

Pellow not only made the roster, he was the Rockies opening day starter in left field and batted sixth in the line-up against Arizona's hard-throwing left-hander Randy Johnson.

"It was pretty special," Pellow said of his opening day start. "It's something I've waited for for a long time."

Pellow realized a dream come true August 14, 2002, when he took the field as the starting first baseman for the Kansas City Royals. After seven years of trial and error in the minors, Pellow was finally where he wanted to be.

"When I was first told, I didn't know whether to cry or puke," Pellow said. "I had spent a lot of time in the minors, and there were years I put up numbers and didn't get the call, but when it finally came, it was very special."

Pellow, who grew up in the Kansas City area and attended Olathe North High School, was drafted by the Royals in 1996 and steadily advanced through the organization, reaching Triple-A in his third year as a professional. He earned a promotion from Triple-A Omaha by hitting .289 with 27 homers and 76 RBI in 105 games.

Playing in Kaufman Stadium was even more special to the former Cavalier, a lifelong Royals fan.

"I grew up here in the heyday of the Royals," Pellow said. "Seeing them win championships, seeing them in the playoffs all the time. It's one thing to play in the Major Leagues. But to do it in your hometown is a feeling I wish everybody could experience."

One night after being called up, Pellow was in the starting lineup against Andy Pettitte and the New York Yankees. Four days later in his second start against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Pellow collected his first and second Major League hits, both singles. He also collected his first RBI and scored his first run. Two days later against the Toronto Blue Jays in the Skydome, Pellow belted his first Major League homer over the left-field wall.

Following the season, Pellow signed a free agent contract with the Colorado Rockies. He was sent to the their Triple-A affiliate in Colorado Springs. Last season, Pellow made the most of his opportunity, demonstrating his versatility as a player, and he earned a call up late in the 2003 season.

Pellow's ability to move around, catch in a pinch, and hit for power caught the attention of Rockies manager Clint Hurdle. He wanted a third catcher who could play other positions and provide right-handed power off the bench. In his first Major League start as a catcher, Pellow turned in a career night, going 4-for-4, with a club-tying three doubles, leading the Rockies to a 6-5 victory against San Diego. In another start in left field, Pellow went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI at St. Louis.

Pellow also attributes his success to just staying relaxed and playing the game.

"I put too much pressure on myself when I came up the first time," Pellow said. "I worried about doing good things because I didn't want to go back down. I realized it did me no good. Now I just relax, play the game the way I know how to play, and go out and do the best I can. I can't worry about those things or put pressure on myself to get a hit - that just makes it worse."

Starting seven of the first 12 games of the 2004 season because of injuries to veterans Larry Walker and Preston Wilson, Pellow is taking advantage of the opportunity and shown he belongs in the big leagues.

He delivered a key bases-loaded double with two out in the sixth inning that broke a tie in an 8-5 victory against St. Louis at Busch Stadium. Later, he hauled in an Albert Pujols bases-loaded line drive against the right field wall for the final out, a play that appeared on ESPN Sportscenter highlights. ESPN broadcaster Chris Berman even has given Pellow one of his famous nicknames, Kit "Tears on My" Pellow.

"Yea, its fun to see those on TV," said Pellow. "For Todd (Helton) and Barry (Bonds), its probably old stuff, but I even like watching the tapes of the games, and think 'that's me'."

However, to those who have followed Pellow's career, his success comes as no surprise. He has put up tremendous numbers everywhere he's played baseball.

In 1994 at JCCC, Pellow was one of the country's top players. He hit .479, with 70 hits and 57 RBI. Pellow also ripped 13 doubles and a school record 20 home runs. His .479 average led the nation and his 20 homers were second. He was awarded second-team All-American.

"That was a special time in my career at JCCC, especially with coach (Kent) Shelley," Pellow said. "He really gave me the foundation for the way I play today. He was a big influence and had a lot to do with where I am now."

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He went on to have two standout seasons at the University of Arkansas, where he tied for 10th all-time in career batting average (.342) and RBI in one season (66).

In eight seasons in the minors, Pellow was an All-Star in three leagues. He had nearly 1,000 hits, hit 194 home runs and drove in 634 runners. He is Omaha's all-time home runs leader with 106 and RBI leader with 337.

Pellow's stay in the minor leagues wasn't without a few bumps along the way, but he stayed the course, and his hard work has been rewarded. He is now a Major Leaguer.

"I love playing baseball," Pellow said. "It is so much fun coming to the ballpark everyday."