SJ Sports: On Cloud Nine

The dream dies hard for many baseball stars. It is the dream to one day play in the major leagues and be part of a World Series champion. Few players are able to actually beat the odds and make it to the majors. However, one local product is not only an established major league pitcher, but is also the proud owner of a World Series ring.

Scott Schoenweis played his high school baseball at Lenape. Today, the 29-year-old lefthander pitches for the World Champion Anaheim Angels. Last October, Schoenweis got to live the dream as the Angels defeated the Giants in the World Series.

“It was one of those things where you just don’t realize what’s it’s really like until after it happens,” said Schoenweis. “It really hits you when you come in this year and people refer to us as the 2002 World Champion Angels.”

Schoenweis was a key contributor for Anaheim throughout the season as he emerged as the team’s left-handed specialist out of the bullpen. Schoenweis had been a starter for the Angels since the start of the 2001 season, but manager Mike Scioscia asked him to make the switch to relief duty midway through last year. Schoenweis not only accepted his new role, but also symbolized the attitude of the entire 2002 Angels.

“A lot of guys on our team had that same attitude,” Schoenweis said. “There were quite a few players on our team that could have played more on other teams, but everybody knew their role and accepted it. We knew that it was the best way for us to win.”

Schoenweis did his share to help his team win. During the regular season, he was 9-8 with a 4.88 ERA. He adapted quickly to the bullpen, posting a 3.25 ERA overall and 1.71 ERA from July 17 until the end of the regular season.

He appeared in six postseason games, including two World Series contests. Schoenweis was mainly used against tough lefthanded batters. In those six appearances he pitched three innings, allowed one earned run and wasn’t involved in any decisions.

Schoenweis was drafted by the Angels in 1996 and quickly worked his way up through the minors. He made it to the majors in 2000 and was the opening day starter in 2001. In an era where so many players are constantly on the move to different organizations, Schoenweis has remained with the Angels. It made winning a world championship that much sweeter for the Lenape graduate.

“That was another big reason why I was willing to go to the bullpen,” said Schoenweis. “I felt like I had invested a lot in the team. It was good for the guys that had been here the longest and hadn’t gotten their chance to play in the playoffs.”

Schoenweis pitched in all three playoff rounds for Anaheim. He took the mound in relief at Yankee Stadium in the Divisional Playoffs before pitching in the League Championship Series against the Twins and the World Series against the Giants. It is the ultimate pressure packed environment for a pitcher, but Schoenweis welcomed the challenge.

“That’s why we get paid the big bucks,” Schoenweis said. “What separates us from a lot of other players is that we’re able to block out the distractions. Yankee Stadium is always electric. You can let it bother you and get you frazzled or you can use it to your advantage.”

The World Series title was the top moment in the baseball life of Schoenweis, but it wasn’t his first championship. He was part of a Lenape squad that defeated rival Cherokee for the South Jersey Group 4 crown. It was at Lenape where Schoenweis first developed his pitching skills under the guidance of former head coach Jim Forrest.

“Coach Forrest was also my history teacher,” said Schoenweis. “You always have a favorite teacher and mine also happened to be my coach. I continue to talk to him and remain close with him. It was a great experience playing for him.”

Schoenweis moved on to Duke University after graduating from Lenape in 1992. It was at Duke where he was forced to overcome something that threatened more than just his baseball career. He was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The doctors were able to catch the cancer in time and Schoenweis has been in remission for the past 10 years. The chemotherapy weakened Schoenweis’ elbow and he was forced to have surgery. Schoenweis made a complete recovery and was named the Collegiate Player of the Year in North Carolina his senior season.

Schoenweis, realizing that he is one of the lucky ones, is extremely active in community work. He is involved in the Office of the White House National Drug Control Policy, an organization that encourages youths to stay away from drugs. He also works with the team’s youth clinics along with a host of other causes. Schoenweis believes his cancer survival story can send a positive message.

“Your time and your actions are important,” Schoenweis said. “It’s important to talk to kids one-on-one and tell them about the importance of education. Sports are a huge part of keeping kids on the right path. I’ve also been looking into going back to the cancer center at Duke that treated me to do some things there.”

Schoenweis is currently hard at work in Arizona as the Angels complete their spring training schedule. Scioscia is giving Schoenweis a chance to work his way back into the starting rotation. But no matter what Schoenweis’ role is this season, he will never take for granted the fact that he is one of the lucky ones. The dream has become a reality.

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Ed Benkin