McKenry Joins Pirates Alumni For Fantasy Camp in Bradenton

Michael McKenry, a former catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, understands how important fantasy camp week is to the fans attending.

“It’s a lot of fun for the campers and us former ballplayers. The campers get to come to Bradenton for one week and be a big leaguer,” said McKenry during a recent phone conversation from his home in western Pennsylvania.

Just like the dozens and dozens of Pirates fans departing from Pittsburgh International Airport bound for Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in less than two weeks, McKenry will be joined by 15 other former pros ready to make baseball dreams become early Christmas presents.

Once again, the Pirates fantasy camp is sold out. Fans age 30 and older will be arriving in the “Friendly City” for the week of December 7-14. With Pirate City serving as the hub of fantasy camp week, campers need only bring their gloves and cleats. All necessary equipment for a week of nonstop games played on the same fields used by the MLB Pirates during their time here for spring training is provided.

Included with the package for all campers is a regulation MLB Pirates uniform and practice jersey.

McKenry, drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round in 2006, but through a trade with the Boston Red Sox came to Pittsburgh during the 2011 season, sees his participating in the camp as humbling.

“The camp allows me to look back at my career and be thankful for so many people who made it possible for me to play in the big leagues. When I get to Bradenton, I feel like it’s almost like going to spring training. When I look at the campers, and I see the joy that they are experiencing. How do you not keep pushing forward and have fun?”

Those signed up for the Pirates fantasy camp know their favorite club’s history as well, if not better, than most fans. The guest instructors that will be their coaches and managers, one glance at the back of their jersey; just the last name, and Pirate memories will come returning rapidly.

Blass, Candelaria, Drabek, and Hebner will be among the 16 former big leaguers making baseball dreams come true during fantasy camp week. McKenry, who spent three of his seven MLB seasons with the Pirates and is currently part of their pre and postgame studio show as an analyst on SportsNet Pittsburgh, will be joined by three other members of the broadcast team.

Matt Capps, John Wehner, and Kevin Young will also be in uniform, and guiding their teams of campers to what they hope will win them a championship.

It’s not just what goes on while playing in games that will create memories that campers take back with them. Yes. There will be scheduled autograph sessions for campers with former Pirates. All who attend receive a DVD of the week’s highlights. Then, there’s an award banquet. All the perks of flying south for a week, for most, of baseball like they have never experienced has other times where great memories no doubt will take place.

“Playing ball is just part of the experience,” McKenry tells of fantasy week. “There’s the coffee club in the morning, the poker games at night, and the cigar club, too. Campers become a family. You have people coming from all walks of life signing up for the camp. It’s awesome for them to get down where the weather is warmer than in Pittsburgh and just have fun.”

Returning to the site where he experienced several spring training years with the Pirates, for McKenry, he admits to experiencing some deja vu. When entering the batting cage, clubhouse, and weight room at Pirate City, memories with his former teammates easily come back to the former catcher.
now, revolve around rooting to the Pirates. For a couple days, upcoming in December, campers will put on their pro uniform and in their minds will have finally reached their true goal in life – being a Pittsburgh Pirate.

McKenry, who will be attending his third Pirates’ fantasy camp in Bradenton, is looking forward to seeing former teammates, and forging closer relationships with Pirates alumni who came before him. RJ Reynolds and Mike “Spanky” LaValliere are two fellow instructors that McKenry is anxious to spend time with.

The love of the game is what has Pirates’ fans paying to relive some of their happiest memories; many times, of innocence as a baseball fan, motivates them to trek to Bradenton. The happiest of times, then and now, allows campers for one week to have reached their goal in life – to be a Pittsburgh Pirate.