World Series was tough on Butterfield

Brian Butterfield, who has been a coach for the Diamondbacks and the Yankees, said he couldn’t watch much of the World Series.

“I tried. But I couldn’t enjoy it. I got real uncomfortable,” said Butterfield, a former Orono High School three-sports star and UMaine second baseman.

“But I would wake up the next morning and watch ESPN and ESPN News. It was a tremendous series,” he added.

Butterfield was the third base coach for the newly crowned World Champions for their first three seasons but wasn’t rehired by first-year manager Bob Brenly after Buck Showalter got fired last year.

“I don’t blame him. He didn’t know me from a hole in the wall,” said Butterfield.

He had worked for the Diamondbacks for two years before they took the field for the first time in 1998. Prior to that, he had spent 17 seasons in the Yankee organization including time as the Yankees’ first base coach.

He returned to the Yankee organization this year and managed Tampa to a share of the Florida State League (Class A) title.

“It was tough watching the Series because I wanted to be a part of it,” said the 44-year-old Butterfield from his new home in Standish. “Being in the World Series is something you dream about.”

He admitted that “deep down, I was rooting for the Diamondbacks a little bit.

“When [Curt] Schilling left the game Sunday night, I got real emotional because I thought it was over with [Yankee reliever Mariano] Rivera out there,” said Butterfield. “I couldn’t come to grips with my emotions. There was anger because I thought I should still be with the club but I was also tremendously happy for a guy like [bullpen coach] Glenn Sherlock, who is going to pocket a check for over $300,000.

“I was also real happy for the guys in the clubhouse. Luis Gonzalez is one of the most thoughtful people in all of baseball. So are Schilling, Matt Williams and Steve Finley. They are a tremendous group,” added Butterfield who felt Arizona was the better of the two teams and expected them to win it earlier than the seventh game.

He pointed out that Ellsworth’s Dick Scott was the advance scout for Arizona.

He said the Diamondbacks encouraged him to manage.

“The players would say why don’t you think about managing? That sparked my interest. If those guys thought enough of my managerial capabilities [to inquire], I figured I ought to start looking more toward managing,” said Butterfield.

Butterfield said he had a “blast” managing this season.

“We had a very enjoyable group of kids. And the Yankees treated me great,” said Butterfield.

Butterfield hopes to be back coaching in the major leagues next season although he says he would also like to manage at the Double or Triple A level.

Jordan cancer rocks UMaine

The University of Maine community has been rocked after learning that 32-year trainer Wes Jordan is suffering from pancreatic cancer. The community recently mourned the loss of hockey coach Shawn Walsh who died of kidney cancer on Sept. 24.

Jordan is a pioneer and a legend in the field of athletic training.

If your son or daughter has been treated by a trainer in the state, there is a strong likelihood that trainer was positively impacted by Jordan.

Jordan’s immense knowledge and passion for his profession and his easy-going manner enticed several young men and women to enter the field.

He has also been a great ambassador for the state and the university, making friends everywhere.

Here’s hoping he can beat the odds or at least have years of quality life.

Larry Mahoney’s column runs every Wednesday. He can be reached at 990-8231 or by e-mail at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net