THE LATEST LINE: SE PRODUCTS FACING LONG ODDS AFTER BEING DRAFTED

It's interesting how expectations can often times affect the way an athlete looks at things.

Take the two Southeast Missouri State University players who were selected in this past week's amateur baseball draft.

Jeremy Johnson was disappointed to 'only' go in the 26th round. That's because SEMO's record-setting outfielder thought he would be taken in at least the first 20 rounds -- and possibly in the top 10, which would have meant a nice signing bonus.

Dan Huesgen was on cloud nine simply to go any place. His name had not been mentioned much in days leading up to the draft. Few scouts had been in contact with him. That's why the right-handed pitcher was so thrilled to be taken in the 38th round.

But the bottom line is, no matter where they were drafted, Johnson and Huesgen will now get to chase their baseball dreams, along with many of the other 1,452 players selected this year. Many will elect not to sign, instead either attending college or continuing their college careers.

Sure, the odds of either Johnson or Huesgen making the major leagues are long, as is the road that lies ahead for them -- assuming they are successful enough not to get released in the next couple of years before they even have a chance to start climbing the minor-league ladder.

But baseball, more than any other sport, is filled with success stories of low-round selections --and even players who weren't drafted but signed as free agents -- who make it to the `Show.'

Will Johnson or Huesgen -- or both -- fall into the above category?

Only time will tell.

* Still on the subject of the baseball draft, it's always fun to get on the Internet, scan the 50 rounds that are held and look at the kinds of towns and schools that the nearly 1,500 players selected every year come from.

The draft encompasses players from high schools, junior colleges and four-year colleges. Many of the draftees are from some of the nation's top college programs and biggest cities, but many are also from some of the nation's least-known college programs and smallest towns.

* One more thought on the draft: Is there any wonder that DeSmet High School of St. Louis rolled to the Class 4A state title this year?

The Spartans' ace pitcher, Bob Keppel, was the 36th overall selection. And their No. 2 hurler, Bob Zimmerman, went in the 14th round. In addition, third baseman Don Rogers was taken in the 47th round.

Having three players off one prep team drafted -- including one so high -- is quite impressive, particularly for a state that is not generally known for turning out an abundance of big-time pro baseball prospects.

* Heart-felt condolences go out to the families and other loved ones of Daniel Mothershead and Larry Trickey, two prominent figures on the local sporting scene who lost their lives in vehicle accidents this past week.

Mothershead was a former standout athlete at Kelly High School and the valedictorian of Kelly's 1999 senior class while Trickey was a former assistant basketball coach in the area, most notably at Notre Dame High School.

I did not know Daniel personally but by all accounts he was a tremendous young man. I did know Larry fairly well; he was a fixture at SEMO basketball games and the area's bigger high school hoop events, always quick to greet me with a big smile and a hearty handshake.

Both will be greatly missed.

~Marty Mishow is a sports writer for the Southeast Missourian