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Long Island Ducks player  Mitch Canham.

Long Island Ducks player Mitch Canham. Credit: Handout

Catcher Mitch Canham, 27, has been on the move in 2012. Canham, a 2007 first-round pick (57th overall) of the San Diego Padres, signed with the Colorado Rockies during the offseason but was released during spring training. He signed with the Ducks on April 4, but 12 days later, before he played a game on Long Island, the Cardinals scooped him up. Batting just .125 in a backup role with Triple-A Memphis, St. Louis released him June 12. Two days later, he was back with the Ducks. Entering Sunday night's game, Canham had a .239 average with four RBIs in 51 at-bats.

What are your recollections of winning consecutive College World Series (2006, 2007) with Oregon State?

In the clubhouse, we all had the right idea of what we wanted to do. We set our goals to the very top. We didn't run around saying, "Let's take second pace." We all had the same attitude. First place was the only acceptable thing. Winning teams are very special. You can always tell, just walking into the clubhouse, whether it's a winning team or not.

 

What has this whirlwind of a season been like?

Just that . . . a whirlwind. Baseball is always living out of your suitcase in the minor leagues. I've always kind of jumped around and gone to different teams. There is more to it when your wife and family comes to town, and next thing you know, you're moving. It seems like every time my wife would come in to see me, we would have to pack our bags and move again.

 

Did you suffer any loss of confidence after the Cardinals released you?

I wasn't playing. It was very difficult sitting around and not getting much opportunity to play. When I was in camp with the Rockies, I had a good spring training and proved that I could play at the highest level. After I got let go by the Rockies, I was down in the dumps. I just didn't understand how, when I was playing this well, I could be let go. But I understand the game and how it works, I guess.

 

So as a backup in Memphis, you realized the majors were a long shot?

Well, I just knew that I wasn't going to have a chance. I wasn't playing, and I knew I was just there for an emergency role. It wasn't a good situation for me as far as my baseball career went.

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