Fresno State Athletics
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
2/28/2000 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 28, 2000
While growing up in the Bay Area, senior third baseman Max Drake became very familiar with traditional baseball powers at California and Stanford. He played three years of baseball at Salesian High in Richmond, Calif., and continued his hardball education at Laney College.
When it came time to decide where to transfer, all it took was his first visit to Fresno State to draw him away from his native territory. With one look at Pete Beiden Field, a tour of the campus and facilities and an opportunity to meet the Fresno State coaching staff first hand, Drake knew Bulldog red and blue would be the right colors to don.
"I didn't know where baseball would take me after high school," Drake said. "I went to a small catholic school where the baseball program wasn't real strong, so I just went the JC route to continue playing ball and go to school."
Drake said he learned a tremendous amount about the game of baseball in junior college. He earned All-Bay Valley Conference honors in both of the seasons at Laney. He strived to improve his game everyday, hoping to catch the eye of a Division I coach. Through association with his head coach, Drake got to know the Bulldog coaching staff and ultimately earned a spot on the Bulldog roster.
"Coach Wilson had plenty of good things to say about Fresno State," Drake said. "As my coach at Laney, he was one of the most influential people in my decision to come here. Because I heard so many wonderful words about the Bulldog tradition, I thought it would be a good experience to be a part of it. Since I've been here, I've really been impressed."
The Bulldogs have three third basemen this season -- junior starter Nick Garcia, sophomore Matt Creighton, a transfer from Stanford and Drake. All three have dependable gloves and powerful sticks which give the Bulldogs depth at the position. Drake said he has great respect for his fellow infielders and believes the competition is good for team chemistry.
Fresno State head coach Bob Bennett said he agrees.
"The harder Max works the harder Garcia works. When one is struggling, the other can come in and do the job. One thing Max understands is how to gain respect. He cares and acknowledges others, and when that happens, others give him that same respect."
The Bulldogs' team unity is one reason for their recent success. With a balance of youth and experienced veterans the team has high hopes. Those hopes are more like goals, as the Bulldogs know they can reach the top of the college baseball mountain.
"We have a lot of talent on this team," Drake said. "Coach Bennett talked to us early in the fall about his great teams. He told us we are one of those teams, but this group has a chance to be special. Everybody is playing great ball right now. We are on a roll and I think we have an opportunity to go all the way."
Drake is an essential member in the Bulldog clubhouse. He provides leadership with a good knowledge of the game. He is one of the first right-handed sluggers to step up to the plate in the late innings when a pinch hitter is necessary. He has what Bennett said is "good power and polished tools," making him a valuable asset to the team.
"My role is to come off the bench and pinch hit late in the game when we need it," Drake said. "I'm really selling into the role this season. Last year I kind of fought it because I wanted to play right away. But I am content with taking advantage of the opportunities when they come to me. Right now this club is firing on all cylinders and it is a great experience just to be a part of it."
Drake is very team oriented. In any team sport, the squads that mesh the best usually come out victorious. The Bulldogs have welcomed the atmosphere of good comradery into their dugout as Drake's sense of charity has rubbed off on his teammates.
"The first meeting we had as a team when I arrived, coach Bennett talked to us for about an hour about teamwork," Drake said. "He didn't get into the baseball strategies or techniques, he just talked to us about being friends. From the young guys to the seniors we have good chemistry."
"Max is a very good team player," Bennett said. "He's a mentally tough guy who has improved in all parts of the game since he's been here."
by Curtis Webb -- Fresno State Media Relations
