Published June 10, 2004, in issue 0323 of The Hook

BY LISA PROVENCE

"Brian O'Connor, male model extraordinaire," cracks one UVA baseball player as his coach has his photo taken in the dugout.

"Hey Coach, gonna change your name to Zoolander?" says another.

O'Connor takes the teasing in stride. After all, he led UVA to a winning 44-15 season, has been named ACC coach of the year, and his team was both host and the number-one seed in last weekend's NCAA regionals. And this is just his first season here.

An Iowa native, O'Connor spent nine years coaching the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame. But this isn't his first time in Virginia.

After his freshman year at Creighton University, he played baseball in Harrisonburg. He was back again in 1993 after being drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies for a stint with its farm team, the Martinsville Astros. "Martinsville is very different from Charlottesville, obviously," he says.

How Bull Durham was his minor league experience? O'Connor says the Astros are an even lower-level team than the one in the movie.

"But all across the minors, there are some similarities," he says. "You play late, then try to find a restaurant, you don't get up until late, and then do the same thing again the next day."

As for any Susan Sarandons in the crowd? "There's a few," O'Connor admits. "There can be local townies. Fortunately, I was in a committed relationship," he adds.

The garter-belt-wearing Tim Robbins with the fastball that burns makes it to the Big Show in Bull Durham. Any regrets for O'Connor that his favorite pitch-- also the fastball-- didn't do the same for him?

"I'm an average player," O'Connor concedes. "Every kid in America-- their dream is to play the majors. I wasn't quite that talented. Coaching is the next best thing, where I can affect young players."

And apparently he is having a winning effect on his players, and getting a lot of attention for his "small ball" approach, something he claims the media have blown out of proportion.

Qu'est-ce que c'est "small ball"? "You can be the team that hits home runs all the time, or you can bunt to get players on base," he explains. "We've done that in closer games, and it's a style you don't see played that much. As a coach, you use those to best advantage."

Baseball may seem a pretty laidback game-- but O'Connor himself isn't laidback. "I'm very goal driven," he says. "I'm a workaholic known to stay in the office until 2 or 3am."

He clears up one other mystery before dashing off to practice. Why don't baseball players get in trouble as much as football players seem to?

"In baseball, you play so many games there's not a lot of down time to get in trouble," replies the coach. "And their temperament is more calm than football players. They're more mild-mannered off the field."

But that doesn't mean they're not driven to win, often wearing lucky socks or underwear ("laundered, of course," notes the coach). Even O'Connor has a good luck charm: He sports a four-leaf clover tattoo, he says, "because I'm Irish."

It seems to be working.

Age: 33

What brought you here? University of Virginia-- head baseball coach

What's worst about living here? Housing costs

Favorite hangout? Davenport Field baseball stadium

Most overrated virtue? In general, fairness. The reality is, there always has to be a winner.

What would people be surprised to know about you? I sing country music.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I wouldn't have gotten a tattoo when I was 19 years old.

What accomplishment are you proudest of? Having played and coached in the College World Series

What do people find most annoying about you? I talk too fast or I move too fast-- too much energy.

Whom do you admire? Paul Mainieri, head baseball coach at Notre Dame. He's been my mentor.

Favorite book? The Art of War by Sun-Tzu

What subject causes you to rant? Delinquent parents

What thrills you about life in the 21st century? Modern technology-- new opportunities for individual growth

What creeps you out about life in the 21st century? Raising children in a crazy world

What do you drive? Ford Taurus

What's in your car CD player right now? Kenny Chesney

What's your next journey? The beach

What's the most trouble you've ever gotten in? Not calling my wife when I said I would

What do you regret? Not playing college football

Favorite comfort food? Popcorn

What's always in your refrigerator? Popsicles

Must-see TV? ESPN

Describe a perfect day. Breakfast at Waffle House with my two daughters, come from behind 3-2 to win at UVA in baseball, dinner with family.

Walter Mitty fantasy? Winning a College World Series

Who'd play you in the movie? Kevin Costner

Most embarrassing moment? In my first game as an assistant coach, I made a pitching change when the rules didn't allow it.

Best advice you ever got? There are very few second chances in life. Make the most out of the situation you're in.

Brian O'Connor
PHOTO BY JEN FARIELLO

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