Simunic Stands Ready

Productive people play a number of roles.

In 2012, Andy Simunic is a husband, brother, son, janitor, third baseman, Tennessee State Trooper cadet, shortstop, outfielder, teammate, Country music fan, outdoorsman.

As a professional baseball player, Simunic has done everything except put on the catcher's gear, even pitching an inning for Lancaster of the California League last August.

With Jonathan Villar out for six weeks due to a fractured right hand, Simunic shifts from third base to shortstop, where he's played nine games this season. Simunic's always been able to handle the bat; a .280 career in which he's hit into just 14 double plays and struck out less than 300 times in 1,524 plate appearances is considerable evidence.

But defensive versatility has been his calling card.

"I've got two different infield gloves, one for the middle infield and one for third, an outfielder's glove - but I'm borrowing if I need a first baseman's mitt," Simunic explained. "It definitely keeps me on my toes playing so many positions.

"My dad (Ron) said the more options you have, the more times you'll be able to find yourself in the lineup. He always stressed that to me as being very important."

Different positions require different techniques.

"If I'm playing third base, I work on using one hand, as opposed to playing in the middle, which involves more moving your feet than reaction," Simunic noted. "In the outfield, I feel fine. I just go out and shag balls during BP. I don't feel like I miss much out there, regardless of how long it's been."

When we think of versatility in sports, our thoughts often go first to athleticism. Simunic was a high school point guard for three years at Collierville (Tenn.) High School, where his shooting guard was current Cincinnati Reds shortstop Zack Cozart.

For Simunic, a native of Bloomington, Indiana, one goal was to play for the Cream & Crimson and coach Bob Knight.

"I just liked being able to control the situation," Simunic said about his days as a floor general. "I dictated the pace of the game offensively. I took care of the ball. If I played well, the team played well. I'm from Indiana and I love basketball. There, you're born with it in your blood.

"But, I knew I was 6-foot and not particularly quick, so I knew I wasn't going too far."

If the Sons of Indiana are born with basketball in their blood, Simunic, the son of an Indiana high school baseball coach, was drawn to the diamond.

"He had me out on the field at three of four years old," Simunic recalled. "I was always playing and wanted to practice like his high school kids. That's pretty much all my childhood memories, pretty much all I wanted to do."

Andy's college baseball dream destination was Mississippi State. Though he ultimately starred at Tennessee, SEC Baseball seemed a very remote possibility at best.

"I didn't make the varsity baseball team until my senior year in high school," Simunic said. "I was cut as a freshman and sophomore and the bullpen catcher as a junior.

"What happened at Tennessee was very rewarding. It was definitely a lot of fun and satisfying to make the impact I did."

Simunic was selected in the 17th round by Houston in 2008 after hitting .333 and leading the Vols with 29 stolen bases. He transferred to Knoxville from Chattanooga State Community College, where he topped all of junior college baseball with 52 stolen bases.

"I didn't think baseball was an option (in high school)," Simunic remembered. "I believed in myself, but I was realistic. It wasn't looking good at the time.

"I also knew that if I worked hard enough and got an opportunity, I'd take advantage of it. That's kind of been the story of my pro career as well. It's never been easy for me, it's been a struggle. But, that makes the end result much more gratifying when it's accomplished."

The fresh-faced, freckled, sandy-blonde Hoosier and his Hooks are pursuing their first Texas League title since 2006. No championship season of life comes without struggle, and though he's not running the point anymore, Andy Simunic is a guy you want on your side.

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Simunic the husband: "Shawn and I met at Tennessee. She was on the dance team. I followed her around for about six months trying to get her to date me. We've been married for almost four years. Shawn has a dance studio in Nashville and 200 little kids keep us pretty busy. I'm the head janitor and grounds guy."

Simunic the outdoorsman: "I like to be out on the water... jet skis, boating, fish a little bit. I enjoy shooting guns. During the offseason I like to shoot a couple of times a week, shoot targets, shoot skeet."

Simunic the Country music fan: "Being in Nashville I think you have to listen to it. I've gotten Shawn to like Country music. I've always loved it, but I had to convince her.

"I like more of the mainstream, but my host family has been trying to get me more into Texas Country. I like Jason Aldean, some Kenny Chesney. Eric Church is my all-time favorite."

Simunic the teammate: "I went to the movies the other day with Drew Locke and (Jacob) Goebbert and Adam Bailey. I like comedies and I like crime mysteries... my major at Tennessee was Criminal Justice."

Simunic the cadet: "I was accepted as a Tennessee State Trooper cadet last offseason. I've already passed the obstacle course, psychological background test and physical fitness test."