THE MASKED MAN: BOURBON PROVIDES LEADERSHIP BEHIND THE PLATE

As far as Southeast Missouri State University baseball coach Mark Hogan is concerned, tough doesn't even begin to describe the physical makeup of senior catcher Jeff Bourbon.

Bourbon is not the Indians' most talented or flashy player, but he just might be their most valuable performer. And he's quietly gone about putting together an impressive career that will leave his name scattered all over the program's record book.

"Jeff has just had a fabulous career for us," said Hogan.

But Bourbon's sheer statistical numbers -- while impressive -- don't begin to tell the story of what he has meant to the Indians, particularly over the past two seasons as he has been a fixture -- literally -- behind the plate.

And that's where the toughness Hogan referred to comes in. The position of catcher is a demanding one under any circumstances. But it becomes particularly challenging when you basically spend every inning of every game in that role.

That's what Bourbon has pretty much done the past two years after Mike Mitchell, who was expected to share time with Bourbon at both catcher and designated hitter, was injured all of last season and then left the squad for personal reasons early this year.

Bearing the load

Bourbon has been at catcher for 39 of the Indians' 40 games so far this season (he was given one break early before Mitchell left the team). He might get an occasional inning off late in blowouts, but that's about the extent of his rest. Ditto for last season.

"It's highly unusual for a guy to catch basically every inning of every game, but when Mitchell left, Jeff understood it. He basically did the same thing last year," said Hogan. "He's just a tough player, a real iron man.

"I know his legs are probably sore as can be, but he's never complained. He takes care of himself and that has a lot to do with it. The mental side of him is as good as anybody I've seen, and he's gifted with a big, strong physical body. I'm sure he might hit a little better if he didn't have to catch all the time, but we need him back there and I don't know what we'd do without him."

At 6-feet-1 and a muscular 215 pounds, Bourbon certainly has the physical frame to handle all the pounding -- not to mention squatting -- he is forced to endure. And he's intent on keeping up his strength throughout the long season, which is beginning to head into the home stretch.

"Last year I feel like I got tired (as the season went on) and I don't want to let it happen this year, so I try to keep lifting to stay strong," he said.

Asked just how much of a physical toll catching all the time takes on him, Bourbon said, "I have my days, when I feel a little tired and my bat feels a little slow. But overall, it's not too bad. I've gotten used to it."

A former standout at Potosi (Mo.) High School, Bourbon is one of just two senior starters on a young Southeast team and he's the lone senior regular to have been in the program more than two years.

"Jeff has been a real leader for us, both on the field and off," Hogan said. "He's not only an excellent player but also a really fine young man."

A four-year impact

Bourbon, who played primarily at first base and designated hitter during his first two years at Southeast, has been a starter since his freshman season, when he batted .321 and hit eight home runs to earn Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American honors as the Indians advanced to the NCAA Division I Tournament for the first time.

Over his career, Bourbon's numbers have been more solid and steady than eye-popping and spectacular. He hit a career-high 12 homers as a sophomore, added eight more last season and entered this year with a .285 career batting average.

So far this year for the 26-14 Indians, Bourbon is hitting .293 with five homers (tied for the Southeast lead) and a team-high 40 runs batted in.

As for his career numbers, Bourbon ranks second in the program's history in doubles with 59 (he needs seven more to become the all-time leader); he is second in at-bats (708); second in games played (201); third in hits (203); third in RBIs (146); and sixth in home runs (33).

"It seems like just yesterday when I came in here and now it's getting late," said Bourbon, shaking his head. "I've really enjoyed it here and when I don't put on the cleats anymore I won't know what to do."

And just to think, pointed out Bourbon, that his impressive Southeast career almost never even got started.

"I redshirted my first year. I had some personal problems and I decided I wouldn't come back," he said. "I had a talk with coach Hogan and he talked me into coming back. I'm thankful I got the opportunity to play the last four years."

Bourbon has handled his academics about as well as his athletics. He's already graduated, earning a criminal justice degree in December. He's currently taking graduate courses and plans to become a Cape Girardeau police officer.