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Former UD, Versailles baseball star to make Major League debut

AP file photo Former UD pitcher Craig Stammen, shown playing for the Potomac Nationals in 2007.

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By Chick Ludwig, Staff Writer Updated 8:27 AM Thursday, May 21, 2009

Craig Stammen dialed up his father, Jeff, at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, with the good news.

“He said, ‘Dad, I got called up,’ ” Jeff said, his voice crackling with emotion. “He’s happy. He can’t believe it. It’s what he’s been waiting for. This is his chance.”

Stammen, the former University of Dayton pitcher from Versailles High School, will make his Major League debut when he starts for the Washington Nationals on Thursday night, May 21, against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates.

The 6-foot-3, 210-pound right-hander — who turned 25 on March 9 — will deliver the first pitch at 7:05 p.m. at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C.

Stammen, who was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 12th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft after his junior year at UD, paid his dues for four-plus seasons in the minor leagues with the Vermont Expos, Savannah Sand Gnats, Potomac Nationals, Harrisburg Senators and Columbus Clippers — the Nationals’ former AAA affiliate.

Thanks to his development of a devastating two-seam fastball, Stammen blossomed this season for the Class AAA Syracuse Chiefs.

After compiling a 4-2 record and 1.80 ERA in seven starts — he yielded 33 hits, 10 runs (8 earned), four homers and eight walks with 14 strikeouts in 40 innings — the Nationals are giving him a chance under the bright lights of the nation’s capital.

“His two-seam fastball this year has been awesome,” Jeff Stammen said. “That’s how he got his ERA down to 1.80. The big club noticed that. It was just a matter of time.

“Now he’s a starting pitcher for the Washington Nationals. He’s hot. He’s happy. He’s ready to go. I’ll tell you what. He’s been wanting this for years. and it’s come true.

“He’s worked hard. He can’t wait to get on the mound. The guy’s got so much self-confidence it’s unbelievable. Nothing fazes him. He’s not nervous. He’s like, ‘Dang, bring ’em on.’ ”

Jeff Stammen — a salesman and part owner of North Star Hardware & Implement Co., which sells farm equipment in North Star, Ohio, near Versailles — thought back to his son’s childhood.

Craig began playing baseball at age 6 in the North Star Little League system. He was a baseball, football and basketball star at Versailles High School, and made 60 pitching appearances in three seasons at UD, where he majored in business management. He also pitched in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League in 2004.

Jeff Stammen credited Versailles coaches Tim Blakeley (baseball) and Al Hetrick (football) with fueling Craig with the knowledge, skill and discipline required to excel at a high level.

“Those two men really got him to where he’s at,” Jeff said. “They helped him along the way.”

A party of four — Jeff and Connie Stammen, daughter Cheri, 24, and son Brent, 17 — will board a jet at Dayton International Airport at 6:50 a.m. Thursday, May 21, for the flight to D.C., where they’ll watch their son and brother pitch that night. The Versailles Tigers will be watching. So will the Flyer Faithful.

“This is truly a dream come true for Craig,” Jeff said. “He can’t believe how many people are following him. It’s just unbelievable.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2253 or cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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What a great start for Craig. I was at the game last night. He was awesome. I graduated from Dayton and live in DC and love the Nats. Craig is going to be a great addition. We had Go UD signs at last night's game. HOpe he saw them!

Denise K
1:27 PM, 5/22/2009

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Hey Craig. . . Here's wishing you the best in tonight's game. Chuck that "heat" past'em! Go get'em Tiger!!!

Bob Turpen
Dawsonville, GA

Bob Turpen
11:43 AM, 5/21/2009

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We're all cheering for you, Craig. Good luck!!!

Jamie Campbell
9:29 AM, 5/21/2009

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Tons of Versailles people going to this game, and it will be on fox pitts, if not blacked out which it probably will be.

chuck
12:39 AM, 5/21/2009

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From a Washington D.C. native, a Nationals fan & a UD graduate... congrats to ma' main man Craig Stammen!! Can't wait to see him mow 'em down.