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Wake-Up Call: Players give thanks for Aplin's dedication

Tribune file photo (2006)

Doug Aplin, center, coaches Dontavis Adkins, left, and Brandon Jefferson during the 2006 Class 5A state semifinal.

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By JOEY JOHNSTON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 31, 2009

Updated: 08/31/2009 07:59 am

The Wake-Up Call greets you each weekday with news, views and a few Tampa Bay area sports offerings to anticipate for the day and night. We encourage suggestions and contributions.
Good morning!

There were players from his early teams – the 40-somethings who are now businessmen, teachers, entrepreneurs, laborers, fathers.

There were players from his last team – the guys who are still in high school, the ones who must adjust to a basketball life without him.

And there were dozens and dozens of players from every era in between.

Doug Aplin, who resigned this summer after 31 seasons as boys basketball coach at Chamberlain High School, didn't want much of a fuss. He fretted about the people who went to any trouble for him.

"Trouble? Are you kidding me? With what Coach Aplin did for all of us, we had to all get together and do it the right way,'' said David Hasselbach, the former Chamberlain player who organized a retirement party for Aplin on Saturday at Emerald Greens Golf and Country Club.

About 55 of Aplin's players – including arguably the two best Chiefs in program history, Fred Lewis and Jesse Salters – attended the event.

"I'm very, very touched by all of this,'' said Aplin, 55, who became emotional when he addressed his former players at the end of the evening. "Just seeing everybody again means so much.''

All of Aplin's scorebooks, beginning with Game One (Leto 67, Chamberlain 51 on Nov. 28, 1978), were on a table for public consumption. And that was a big deal. Aplin never permitted his players to examine the scorebooks, saying he wanted everyone to concentrate on the team, not individual statistics.

There was a slideshow of newspaper clippings and video highlights from some old games, including a game against Plant City in 1983 that caused everyone to marvel at the players wearing extra-short shorts.

There was a basketball and memory book for everyone to sign. Some of the testimonials were eloquent. Some were funny.

One seemed to set the proper tone:

Best Coach Ever!

State runners-up, 28-4.

Lewis, who was a captain on the University of South Florida's only two NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament teams (1990, 1992), said Aplin's lessons continue to resonate.

"He taught me about being accountable and holding the other guys on the team accountable,'' said Lewis (class of 1987), now an assistant coach at Saint Leo University after playing 10 seasons of professional basketball in Japan. "I was more reserved, almost kind of shy. But he brought the leadership out of me. I worked hard and thought that was the way to lead, but he showed me how to be a leader. I took that to USF – and beyond.''

Dajan Smith (class of 1998) said he wasn't keen on Aplin's disciplined style during his high-school years. Since venturing into the world – from a football scholarship to Fort Scott Junior College to basketball at Lynn University to professional stints in Colombia, Uruguay, Belgium, Ireland and the Dominican Republic – he came to appreciate Aplin's efforts.

"In my case, I don't think I knew what I had (in a coach) until it was over,'' Smith said. "I was skeptical. I just remember all the (physical) pain, all the running. But when I got older, I realized everything he said was the truth. I always went back to the defensive principles he taught, never letting my man get more than 10 points. I carried it with me.''

In recent years, Smith came back to practice with Chamberlain's team.

That bond won't disappear, even though Aplin apparently will finish his career as a physical education teacher, not a coach.

"Will I miss it? You've got to miss it because it has always been part of your life,'' said Aplin, who was 516-276 in 31 seasons, including three trips to the state tournament's Final Four. "But for the first time in my life, I'll have a Thanksgiving break and a Christmas break without having to practice. I can go fishing, do whatever I want.

"I missed being around the summer league. I'll miss the competition and being around the kids. And who knows? Maybe in a year or two, I'll say I want to coach again. But I'm not going to be Brett Favre. I believe I have made the right decision and there's no doubt I have memories that will last the rest of my life.''

Many of those memories were present on Saturday at Emerald Greens.

It was a time to laugh, a time to cry and a time to remember that the connection between a coach and his players never really leaves, even in retirement.

Kazmir says hello

Former Rays left-hander Scott Kazmir, who was traded to the Los Angeles Angels last week, will make his first start with the new club on Wednesday at Seattle.

In his first news conference with the Angels, Kazmir said he's excited about the new beginning.

"It kind of feels like a playoff atmosphere every time you're here,'' Kazmir said. "You have the Rally Monkey, the whole thing going on.''

Hellickson shines for Durham

Right-hander Jeremy Hellickson of the Durham Bulls, the Rays' Triple-A affiliate, lost his no-hitter in the sixth inning on Sunday, but finished with eight powerful innings in a 4-0 win against Gwinnett.

Hellickson allowed just one hit – a one-out single by Brian Barton in the sixth – in eight innings, while striking out 12.

It was his third consecutive double-digit strikeout game.

Hellickson is 5-1 with a 2.86 ERA for Durham, where he has 61 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings pitched. He began the year at Double-A Montgomery (3-1, 2.38 ERA).

Speculating on Figgins' future

According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, Angels third baseman and leadoff batter Chone Figgins (Brandon), a free-agent after this season, should have plenty of options for 2010.

Will the Angels be one of them?

Figgins, one of only three players remaining from the Angels' 2002 World Series championship team, said staying put is his first priority.

"If something gets worked out here, I'd be real happy,'' said Figgins, who was added to the American League All-Star team after an injury forced out Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. "I'd love to be back here, but I'm not losing sleep over it. I just don't worry about it. I feel I've done well enough not to worry about it.''

The versatility of Figgins, 31, makes him a particularly attractive free agent. He has become an effective third baseman. He can play second, maybe shortstop in a pinch. And he's good at all three outfield positions.

"What makes Figgy attractive, not only to us but to the rest of the league, is his versatility,'' Angels manager Mike Scioscia told the Los Angeles Times. "His versatility is special. He's not a guy who can just play a lot of positions. He's a plus player at a lot of positions. That makes him a fit in a lot of situations.''

Figgins went 2-for-4 in Sunday's 9-1 victory against the Oakland Athletics. He leads the AL in runs scored (99) and has an on-base percentage of .402 with 39 stolen bases.

New life for Luis Gonzalez

After 19 major-league seasons, 2,591 hits, 354 home runs and 596 doubles (15th-most in history), Luis Gonzalez (Jefferson) reluctantly decided to make his retirement official and join the Arizona Diamondbacks' front office.

He will be special assistant to Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall.

Gonzalez, 42, who had a Game 7 walk-off single to win the 2001 World Series, will probably evaluate minor-league talent and work as a spring training instructor. He's an all-time favorite for fans of the Diamondbacks because of his charitable work, accessibility and friendly nature.

"It's just really easy when you think of our history to look at all those who wore the uniform and pick out the guy who clearly stands above the others,'' Diamondbacks managing general partner Ken Kendrick told the Arizona Republic.

Saturday was "Luis Gonzalez Appreciation Night'' at the Astros-Diamondbacks game. A video tribute was played and the first 25,000 fans received a commemorative "Gonzo'' T-shirt.

"Hey, nobody expected me when I was a little kid growing up in Tampa, Florida, to play (19) years in the major leagues,'' Gonzalez said at Saturday's news conference.

Crum signs with UFL

Maurice Crum Jr., the former Notre Dame linebacker who didn't receive a contract after going to rookie minicamp with the Bucs, has signed with the United Football League's California Redwoods. The four-team UFL, which includes the Orlando-based Florida Tuskers, begins play on Oct. 6.

Meanwhile, former University of Louisville tight end Ronnie Ghent (Lakeland) signed with the New York Sentinels, who also added former Bucs defensive end Simeon Rice. The Las Vegas Locomotives signed former Bucs quarterback Tim Rattay.

Murphy to start in Oakland?

Oakland Raiders rookie wide receiver Louis Murphy (Lakewood), a fourth-round pick from the University of Florida, continued his strong exhibition season on Saturday with three catches for 84 yards against the New Orleans Saints.

Raiders coach Tom Cable said it's not a stretch to suggest two rookies – Murphy and first-rounder Darrius Heyward-Bey – could be Oakland's starting receivers.

"I don't think that's the issue [being hesitant to start two rookies], quite honestly,'' Cable told ANG Newspapers. "They're doing really, really well; both of them. They just keep getting better, and they have progressed all the time.''

Venice falls on national TV

Venice senior quarterback Trey Burton, who has orally committed to the Florida Gators, completed 16 of 28 pass attempts for 276 yards, while rushing for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Oscar Smith quarterback Phillip Sims, committed to Alabama and considered the top Southern QB recruit, completed 13 of 20 for 266 yards.

Venice doesn't play again until Sept. 11 at home against Braden River.

Birthday wishes

Happy birthday to former Bucs linebacker Hardy Nickerson, whose attitude and force of will helped transform the franchise's fortunes in the 1990s. Nickerson turns 44 on Tuesday.

The Answer Man

The Bucs, scoring just two field goals, lost to the Miami Dolphins 10-6 in Friday night's exhibition game at Raymond James Stadium. The last time the Bucs failed to score a touchdown in a home exhibition game was Aug. 2, 1997 – Redskins 20, Bucs 8 – when Tampa Bay managed only two field goals and a safety.

Monday trivia

Who was the boys basketball coach at Chamberlain High School before Doug Aplin?

Check for the answer in Tuesday's Wake-Up Call.

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