Though Ted Williams was before senior tri-captain Dan Callahan's time, Teddy Ballgame was always a hero to Callahan. That may help to explain why Callahan wears Williams' number nine. Of course, anyone can wear a number, not everyone can shag fly balls on the same outfield as Williams did.
But in high school, Callahan was selected to represent Massachusets in an All-Star game against Connecticut, held of course at Fenway Park.
"It was incredible," Callahan said. "Just stretching and doing pregame warm-ups at Fenway was unbelievable."
Callahan and his teammates tried to make the experience a little better, if possible, and explored the hallways from the dugouts leading to the clubhouse.
"The janitor kicked us out," Callahan said.
Regardless, it was a great opportunity to play with the best players in the region, including current teammate and housemate, junior shortstop Brian Shapiro. The pitcher in that All-Star game went on to be a second round draft choice of the New York Mets.
Could Callahan be on the same track? He's been scouted during his Tufts career, but it is hard to gauge the senior's chances at being selected in the next draft. Callahan has filled out the appropriate forms with the Major League Bureau, and now all he can do is wait. Of course, the scouts reveal less than a championship poker player, leaving Callahan pretty much in the dark.
"It would just be a bonus if I got selected," Callahan said.
But would he want to spend his life riding around on buses, staying in cheap hotels, living the life glamorized by Bull Durham?
"Definitely," Callahan said. "That would be a blast."
If not, though, Callahan still has other abilities to rely on. He's an international relations major and would like to go into a related field if possible.
"I would like to do something in politics," Callahan said. "Maybe work for the government at the state department."
Like most seniors, though, Callahan prefers not to talk about his immediate future, and would rather discuss the upcoming week, the NESCAC Championships. His Jumbos lost to Williams in the championship game last year and have been looking for revenge all season. The winner of the tournament will go on to play in the NCAA's. A loss, though, and a stellar career comes to a close.
"You're supposed to approach every game the same way," Callahan said. "But it will be tough walking off that field for the last time."
Don't think the pressure will get to him, though. Watching him react to tense situations in a game is about as exciting as waiting for water to boil. Callahan is constantly cool on the field and in the dugout, which might help explain a swing smoother than marble.
Callahan stands 6'4" and has a beautiful, fluid, left-handed swing that has produced for a long time. His achievements at the plate in college have forced the Athletic Department to buy a new record book - it was easier than rewriting the old one.
The right fielder holds Tufts career marks for RBI's, hits, doubles, and triples. He's unofficially two runs behind the all-time mark, and has an outside chance at the all-time batting average mark of .410. As for home runs? He took care of that in high school, setting marks for home runs in a career, including a 14 home run season in 20 games.
"He was a tremendous hitter," high school coach Doc Nickerson said. "He's a fine athlete who helped the team get to where they went."
Though he enjoys the accolades, Callahan is quick to acknowledge everything that goes into setting so many marks.
"First of all, I have been lucky to play so much and get so many at bats," he said. "And you can't get those records without being on real good teams with winning records."
Callahan also places these numbers in their proper perspective.
"Baseball is a sport that keeps track of a lot of statistics," Callahan said. "In ten years, I won't be thinking about all of that, though. I'll be thinking about the strong friendships I've had on the team. So much goes into being part of a team, we take it very seriously here, and I've built good relationships."
In fact, the team is what Callahan will miss most about leaving baseball.
"Being part of a company can't compare to being on a team," he said. "When I leave Tufts, I'll miss the people that I've met inside and outside of baseball."
And though he'll never stop admiring Williams, the lefty has gone on to appreciate more recent left-handed sluggers including Mo Vaughn, John Olerud, and Todd Helton.
Though he is not yet sure what he will be doing next year, unlike the rest of the senior class, Callahan may have a chance at playing a few leagues below his heroes.
