Former Case Western star, Ken Macha's son chosen by A's

Eric Macha enjoyed just about everything about last week.

It was little things like the lack of responsibilities after his senior season as Case Western Reserve University's third baseman and a visit from his father, Oakland Athletics manager Ken Macha, for his sister's graduation Friday.

And it was one big thing. The Franklin Regional graduate also lived a dream out of reach for many baseball players when the Athletics took him in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball First-Year player draft last week.

"It's been a great week," Macha said. "I've been home, relaxing and working out. I was hoping something would work out and I got some great news Wednesday. Now I'm excited my dad's home. I'm excited for my sister."

"I'm so happy for him," said Bob Bozzuto, who coached Macha with the Murrysville American Legion team, then last year with the Murrysville Maulers of the Great Lakes Baseball League. "He worked so hard for this. It's nice to see someone reach something he really wanted to do."

Being drafted by his father's team is both a positive and a negative for the young third baseman. That meant he was immediately hearing questions about his family connections rather than just talking about his shot at the majors.

"I was sort of disappointed it was the A's," Eric Macha said. "I wanted a different team to select me so I wouldn't be hearing these questions. Did you get the job because of your dad• I sort of watned somebody else to draft me. I want to separate myself from people looking at me as Ken Macha's son and not Eric."

Macha's concerns were eased somewhat by the spot at which he was selected, with 17 rounds remaining.

"I definitely feel like (being drafted) has confirmed that I have some potential," Eric Macha said. "I was not the last pick, so I feel better. I think I have some good skills. I'm fairly big physically. I have good hand-eye coordination. I've got to work on my defense a little bit and get used to the pitching. I'm used to Division III pitchers. It's going to be a big change."

Ken Macha is in his first year as Oakland's manager after serving as the bench coach for Art Howe. A former major leaguer with the Pirates (1974, '77 and '78), Montreal Expos ('79-80) and Toronto Blue Jays ('81), Macha was a Gateway high school graduate who had to walk on at Pitt.

Eric Macha is a 6-foot-4, 205-pound third baseman who started all four years at Case Western, leading the team with a .430 average as a junior. He followed that up with an all-star season with the Maulers.

"He did a nice job for us," Bozzuto said. "He made the all-star team that played against Team USA and won."

Macha had a rough senior season in college, batting .355 with one home run and 21 RBI.

"I had a slump and never got in a groove," Macha said. "I put a lot of pressure on myself. The team was not winning. I was questioning whether I wanted to be a baseball player or not. Some doubts crept in."

Bozzuto has faith in his former player's chances to succeed in the pros.

"He's a big boy," Bozzuto said. "He swings the bat. He works very hard. Ken has told me on more than 10 occasions that he matured late."

The two are close. Macha gives Bozzuto a lot of credit in his development.

"He was my summer coach pretty much all through high school and last year," Macha said. "He's been a tremendous influence on me. He's a really enthusiastic, hard-working man. He treats his players like family."

"He's like another son to me," Bozzuto said. "He's a super kid."

Macha hasn't seen nearly as much of his famous father as he would like in recent years, between being away at college and his father being across the country coaching.

"I don't see my dad very often," Macha said. "Recently, he's not that much an influence on my game. I've been working on my own."

Macha had not signed his contract as of Friday, but that was a formality. He left last Tuesday for a two-week rookie camp in Scottsdale, Ariz. Players will be assigned to minor league teams from there.

"Once you are drafted, it's on to the real work," Macha said. "You've got to show your stuff. Only the best are going to make it, so now I'm on my own."

Macha was a third baseman at Case Western, but also played some first base in the summer and could be moved there.

"You always hear that if you can hit, they'll find a place for you," Macha said. "I just want to be playing."

Macha does have some experience with wood bats, having used them with a summer league team in Johnstown and then last year with the Maulers.

"I'm definitely comfortable hitting with the wood bat," Macha said. "I should be a step up on some of the high school players who've never played with wood before."