Lieberthal still going strong at 34

02/19/2006
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- The Mike Lieberthal slouch is among the more common Spring Training sites at Bright House Networks Field, whether it's the after-workout, exhausted slouch that even tires observers or the morning slouch in anticipation of the day ahead.
Other than bad posture, either slouch (the after-workout one is typically lower) indicates 14 springs endured by a veteran catcher with 1,107 Major League games under his belt.
"Fourteen years, huh?" Lieberthal said, from the morning slouch position. "Obviously, I'm a little heavier, more relaxed. I'm much more experienced and know what to expect."
And after a long pause, he added, "I have more money, more gray hairs."
Earning the financial security and gray hairs have taken a toll on Lieberthal in those 1,107 games, in which he's amassed a .275 average in 3,932 career at-bats. The former third overall pick in 1990 -- considered by scouts to be too small to grow into an everyday Major League catcher -- has proved them wrong, developing into a consistent offensive performer.
Much has changed since his days as a 21-year-old non-roster invitee in 1993. He's made two All-Star appearances and has seen his salary rise from $109,000 to $7.5 million. He's played for four managers and is on his third general manager. He's called two places home in both Philadelphia and Clearwater, Fla., as each city got new facilities in 2004.
He's also scheduled many doctors' appointments over the years, including one in October to have his right knee scoped. He confessed that he played the season with torn cartilage, not that his manager knew.
"He never said anything about it," said manager Charlie Manuel. "He said, 'My legs are fine.' Every now and then, [trainer Jeff Cooper] would say something and I'd rest him. When he gets out of this game, nobody can say he wasn't a tough guy, because he'll never tell you when he's hurt."
He also won't say he's hurt by the fan heckling endured over the past few seasons, or with a growing perception that he might see reduced playing time in 2006. The Phillies signed Sal Fasano, and Manuel suggested that Fasano could play as many as 80 games -- if Lieberthal slumps or gets hurt.
While he hasn't been on the disabled list since 2001, Lieberthal has dealt with sore knees and hitting slumps. Still, he sees the presence of Fasano as a security issue.
"I think ... if I can't, Sal can catch more games," Lieberthal said. "But if I'm healthy and producing, I'll be in there every day. It's security, because they know how my knee has been and [my] production has been down. But if I hit, I play."
Lieberthal's production has declined over the past two seasons, as his .418 slugging percentage in 2005 was his lowest number since 1998. He played well during the final two months of 2005, batting .313, as his team narrowly missed the playoffs by a game.
"My mechanics were better. I had a shorter swing," he said. "There were a lot of different ways how my swing was better. [The playoff chase] was exciting. I've never been in that situation. The last month, every game was a like a playoff atmosphere. We played so well in the last two months."
When Lieberthal considers the multiple knee surgeries and the physical demands of catching, it's realistic for him to begin thinking about how much longer he wants to play. With millions of dollars in the bank and a fall wedding planned to fiancée Kelly, can retirement be far off?
"I can still hit. I can still play," he said. "As long as I stay healthy, somebody is going to want me. I'm not thinking about retiring. Former players I've talked to have said, 'Play as long as you can,' [and] that if you leave the game too soon, you're going to be bored."
He's also frustrated that all of his seasons in the Majors -- beginning in 1994 -- have ended in late September/early October, without a postseason appearance. Lieberthal is well aware that among active position players, only Damion Easley and Jeff Cirillo have spent more time in the Majors than he sans a postseason trip.
"That's all I play for now," he said. "Money's not an issue. Getting to the playoffs and hopefully the World Series is all I have left. When you're young, you want to prove yourself in the league, and hopefully get some money so you can get security. Winning is nice [when you're younger], but when you're older, it's everything."
And maybe a good way to go out, after all.
Then again?
"It's always year-to-year in this game," he said. "You're out to prove yourself every year, regardless of your contract situation. That's how this game is. It doesn't how great a player you were one year. That's what is great about this sport. It doesn't matter how many years you've played."

Source: http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/