A Whole New World

Parker adjusting to life in California

By DAVE RASBACH
Valley Press Staff Writer

Not so much in terms of his career. And not so much in terms of miles.

But in terms of being in a completely different world than what he is accustomed.

That can happen when you move from the quiet calm of a small town along the Gulf Coast in Mississippi to the rush-hour, impersonal world of Southern California.

"There's a big comparison," Parker said. "People are so different in how they act in Mississippi. But Mississippi is different from just about anywhere else. It's different from Louisiana even."

Parker, who was born in Picayune, Miss., grew up in Long Beach, which is located on the coast about 30 miles west of Biloxi.

Although the town is small, the area has produced a number of talented baseball players, such as Minnesota outfielder Matt Lawton, Twins minor league pitcher Gary Rath and Parker's cousin, Chris Reinke, who was selected by Cleveland in the eighth round of the 1998 June draft.

Parker, who will join JetHawks teammates Greg Connors and Justin Kaye inTuesday's California/Carolina League All-Star Game at the Lake Elsinore Diamond, said life in Long Beach was quiet and friendly.

"You knew just about everyone in town," the 23-year-old said. "I used to hate going to the hardware store with Daddy, because he knew everyone and would stop and talk with them for 15 minutes."

Parker's father, Bernie, works as an electrical engineer at a NASA plant 45 minutes from the family's home in Louisiana, while his mother, Fudgie, is a secretary at a local school.

Together, they raised Parker, his brother and three sisters in a rather strict but loving environment that centered around honesty.

"If you got in trouble, Momma and Daddy would always sit you down and ask you why you did it," Parker said.

In a small town, Parker's parents always knew when one of their children got in trouble, too.

"Especially with Momma being a secretary at the school," Parker said. "You couldn't hide anything. If you got in trouble, they knew it. So I tried to keep my nose pretty clean."

But living in the small town also had its advantages - such as the friendly hospitality for which the South is famous.

"You'd drive down the street and wave to everyone you passed, because chances were you knew them," Parker said. "It was just something everyone did. Everything is very easy-going there."

It was something Parker, whom the Mariners selected in the second round of the 1997 June draft out of Southern Miss, immediately noticed didn't happen anymore when he left Mississippi.

"When I walked into the clubhouse that first day at (Class A Everett in 1997), I had my boots on like I usually do," Parker said. "Everyone looked at me different. It was kind of weird."

Parker also has noticed differences in the lifestyles during his two most recent stops at Class A Wisconsin last year and at Lancaster this year.

But the 6-foot-1, 200-pounder insists life in the fast lane isn't going to change him.

"I'm still the same guy," he said. "I'm the same as I was when I was at home, and when I go home I'm still the same as I am now."

One thing Parker says he surely doesn't want to change is his faith in God. Although he was raised as a Methodist, the entire family switched to non-denominational when Parker was between the ages of 18 and 19.

"We always went to church when I was growing up, but we really didn't bring God into our lives until I was 18 or 19," Parker said. "It was a good foundation for our entire family. We all excepted Jesus to be our personal savior."

Not coincidentally, Parker said his family grew closer at about that time and his relationship with his father greatly improved.

When Parker left to play baseball and study outdoor recreation at Southern Miss, which was about 45 minutes from home, his parents made it to every game they could.

"Our family was always very tight," Parker said. "But I think we got even closer when we found God together."

Parker also strongly believes that it's God who allows him to pitch the way he is capable of.

"I always believe God wanted me to play baseball, so every time I take the mound I give Him glory," Parker said. "I know I can't do the things I do without God. He's the one that helps me hit all the spots. I couldn't do it without Him."

After getting off to a 4-0 start with a 1.98 ERA and 48 strikeouts in 41 innings during his first seven games with the JetHawks, Parker believes he may have lost sight of that a little.

Since taking a victory at Lake Elsinore on May 12, Parker has gone 0-3 with an 11.19 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 23 innings during his last six starts. He also missed a start after he suffered a cut on his left forearm during an off-the-field incident.

"I think I lost sight of who I was pitching for," Parker said. "I kind of forgot that it was God helping me pitch. I started thinking it was more me. . . But I've regained my focus and hopefully things will start going better for me here soon."

Not that Parker (4-3, 4.79 ERA) focuses much on his stats.

"I leave that up to Momma," Parker said. "She always wants to know my numbers when I call her. Momma's a stat rat. Daddy gets into that, too."

That may be so they can brag about him just a little to all their close friends and neighbors back home in Mississippi.