Jul 26, 2005
All the dedication and sacrifice proved to be worth it for Barker when the Houston Astros called the Albany native to The Show in 1999.
Now - more than six years after his debut in the majors - Barker is back in the minors where it all began.
These days, however, Barker isn't trying to hit fastballs or make spectacular catches in the outfield.
Barker, who hung up his spikes a couple of years ago, is now a scout for the Houston organization, evaluating players in the Triple-A International League and the Double-A Eastern League.
"Baseball has always been in my blood and this is a great way for me to stay involved," Barker said. "I love new challenges and this has been a great experience so far. I still had that burning desire to be around baseball after I retired from playing. Scouting is giving me that opportunity."
The 34-year-old Barker, an Albany High School and College of Saint Rose graduate, batted .288 with 17 stolen bases to help Houston win the National League Central Division title in 1999. He played for the Astros though 2001 and then bounced around several organizations and even played in Mexico before deciding to retire.
"It's always tough to acknowledge that you can't play at the level you once did," Barker said. "Any athlete who says it's easy to step away isn't telling you the truth. Athletes are competitors and they need to find ways to channel that competitive drive."
Barker found that outlet through scouting. He trained at the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau in Arizona last fall and ranked No. 3 out of 42 students.
"We evaluated prospects in the Arizona Fall League and basically learned the craft of how to judge players on both their current performance and their future potential," Barker said. "It was a natural fit for me. I have always considered myself a student of the game and I have a pretty good idea of what a ballplayer is capable of. I know what to look for."
Barker says scouting isn't a glamorous profession.
"There is a lot of travel to places that aren't very interesting and that can be a grind if you are not used to it," he said. "It's not a big deal for me because of all the time I spent on the road as a player, but it can make you weary.
"There is also a lot of forms and paperwork involved and a ton of hours on the computer. It's not something that will bring you a lot of glory."
Barker evaluates players from all of the teams in the International and Eastern leagues.
"It's very extensive. The organization wants to have as much information on every player possible," Barker said. "When you're making trades or looking for injury replacements and stuff like that you need to have done your homework on not only the guys in your organization but also the other clubs."
Although he enjoys his current job, Barker says he views it as more of a steppingstone to bigger and better things.
"I love being on the field and I ultimately want to coach or manage," Barker said. "I can see myself scouting for another couple of years, but eventually I want to be working on the field. I think I have a lot to offer in that capacity."
Barker, who was originally an 11th-round draft choice of the Detroit Tigers in 1993, still holds records at St. Rose for stolen bases, runs scored and triples. He found time to serve as an assistant coach for the Golden Knights in the spring.
"It's important to me to be involved with St. Rose baseball and help (Golden Knights head coach) Bob Bellizzi however I can," Barker said.
"Coach Bellizzi and that program did so much for me. I want to give back and pass on what I've learned to the younger guys. I was in their shoes at one point."
Barker is also considering opening a baseball academy in China sometime in the future. Barker's wife, Fion, is from Hong Kong and baseball has developed in China to the point where the country is expected to field its first Olympic team in the 2008 Beijing Games. Barker spends considerable time each year in China and believes baseball has a huge future there.
"That's something I definitely have visions for," Barker said. "The Chinese are hoping to close the gap on Japan and Taiwan in baseball. It's not as big as some of the other sports there right now, but it is definitely on the rise."
Barker says he does miss playing, but he believes he will be involved in baseball in some capacity for many years to come.
"I feel very fortunate to have been active in baseball for as long as I have," Barker said. "I've had a great past in the game that I'm very proud of and I think I've also got a great future in baseball to look forward to."
