Published: April 23, 2008 11:02 pm            

Woodard trying to get back into MLB

Cupp, Johnson helped former Hartselle star return to pro baseball

Steve Woodard knows that second chances don’t come around often — especially in Major League Baseball.

So when the former Hartselle High pitcher got an opportunity to resurrect his professional baseball career, he wasn’t going to take it for granted.

Early last week, Woodard — whose professional baseball career ended with Oakland in 2004 — signed with the Florida Marlins organization.

Woodard is currently going through an extended spring training session in Florida, but hopes to join the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate in Albuquerque, N.M. in the next few weeks.

“I really didn’t realize how much I loved baseball until my career was over,” Woodard said during a phone interview Wednesday. “So I’m grateful for this opportunity, and I intend on making the most of it.”

When Woodard retired in 2004, he had no intentions of making a comeback. But that changed after Woodard met former Vinemont High baseball coach Mike Cupp, who introduced the Hartselle native to Triple Play Sports Academy strength and conditioning coach Steve Johnson.

“I became friends with Coach Cupp, and he introduced me to Steve,” Woodard said. “If I hadn’t been for Coach Cupp, I probably never would have tried to make a comeback. But after he introduced me to Steve, I started working out at TPSA.

“That’s why I’ve been able to get to this point.”

According to Woodard, he worked out with Johnson five days a week starting in the summer of ’07. During that time, he also threw at least three bullpen sessions a week.

“It was an intense program,” Woodard said. “Steve really pushed me hard. I even threw up a couple of times. But that’s what I wanted. I wanted to be pushed.

“Before I started working out at TPSA, I weighed 280. I’m down to 220 now, and I feel great. This is probably the best shape I’ve ever been in.”

While working out at TPSA, Woodard said he got to know several local baseball players. In fact, Woodard said he used Cullman High junior Kyle Haga as his catcher during the summer months.

“When I would be at TPSA working out in the morning, some of Cullman’s baseball players would be in there working out,” Woodard said. “Watching those young players workout — seeing how much baseball means to them — really motivated me.

“Kyle Haga caught me a lot during the summer months, and A.J. Johnson helped catch me some after Wallace State finished playing. I really appreciate all the help those guys gave me.”

Now that Woodard has received his second chance, he doesn’t intend to let it go to waste. Woodard said his two bullpen sessions in Florida have gone well, and he was solid during a simulated game earlier this week.

Woodard said if all goes well during his first start this weekend, he could be with the Albuquerque Isotopes by as early as next week.

“Before I left, Steve and (TPSA director) Brent Bowen helped me put together a workout program,” Woodard said. “I really appreciate everything those guys did. If it wasn’t for them, I probably wouldn’t have gotten a second chance.”

        

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