Interview With Matt Clark
Tucson's all-time home run leader continues to shine in Triple-A
By Andrew Cockrum
In the short history of the Tucson Padres, no player has hit as many home runs as Matt Clark. The 6-foot-5-inch first baseman's explosive left-handed swing has sent 45 balls over the fence in his two years with San Diego's Triple-A affiliate. The 25-year-old has become the veteran member of the Padres, because he is the only player to play in Tucson for two full seasons.
"I've been getting to know the area and I really like the city, it's a good place to be and play, and the fans support you," said Clark, a 12th round pick in the 2008 draft out of Louisiana State University.
Clark hit .290 with 129 hits, 22 home runs, and 77 RBIs in 121 games played this season. During the 2012 season, Clark achieved a special feat in his career by hitting his 100th career home run against the Tacoma Rainiers on Monday, July 30, at Kino Stadium.
"That was one of my better moments I've had while being here," said Clark. "It was pretty cool getting it all done at home in front of the fans. I think they had a poster night that night for me, so that was cool how it all came together like that."
Clark's success in baseball comes as no surprise because his father, Terry Clark, played in the major leagues for six years. The right-handed pitcher spent time with seven different organizations with his best year coming in 1988 when he started 15 games with a 6-6 record for the California Angels. Matt Clark was able to experience the major league lifestyle with his father by hanging out in big league clubhouses and meeting baseball legends like Cal Ripken Jr.
"Getting to travel with him when I was younger and being able to have him at the other end of the phone line whenever I needed him always helps," said Clark. "Being around the game a lot when I was younger gives me a better insight of what's going to happen. It always helps to have that inside information to go along with your playing abilities."
Terry Clark is currently serving as the pitching coach for the Texas Rangers' Triple-A affiliate the Round Rock Express.
"It's always different because he was usually in my dugout when I was younger and now I get to see him across the way," said Matt Clark.
This season in Round Rock, Texas, Clark blasted a game-winning grand slam for the Padres in the tenth inning to defeat his father's team on Saturday, Aug. 4. He hit two home runs and drove in eight RBIs that series against the Express.
"He was happy for me," said Clark. "Its always a cool thing to succeed while he is the other dugout trying to get me out."
Clark's talents on the field have also allowed him to represent his country in international competition. He played with Team USA in October of 2011, helping the United States to a silver medal at the Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.
"It's one of those things you don't get a chance to do very often," said Clark. "I got to see parts of the world that you probably never get to see and I got to play baseball at the same time. It doesn't get much better then that."
Nine of Clark's teammates on Team USA have played in the majors this season. Clark is still waiting on his call up to the big leagues. He was not promoted this September because he is not apart of San Diego's 40-man roster, but with the power numbers he has produced throughout the minors, combined with the high batting average he has displayed in Tucson, Clark will eventually find himself in a major league uniform like his father did.