TUCSON — Reliever Casey Weathers had no trouble finding his locker Monday. Last year’s top draft pick only had to follow the red carpet that extended into the clubhouse and through the trainer’s room to his cubicle.
His spring training initiation, courtesy of strength and conditioning coach Brad Andress, had begun. During morning stretch, Weathers was cast as “the King,” stood on his throne and ultimately followed the carpet to Aaron Cook, where Weathers sang “Happy Birthday to You” to the pitcher. “It’s fine. I can deal with it,” Weathers said.
The purpose of such initiation is to spawn interaction, not humiliation.
“It strips you of who you used to be and makes you realize that this is a new place where everybody is equal,” said outfielder Cory Sullivan, who dressed in a tuxedo and held a martini glass as he sang Frank Sina- tra’s “My Way” in 2003.
Troy E. Renck
