Marson is ready for anything

Lou Marson is only 22, but he's already experienced more than many veteran baseball players have in their entire careers.

Consider his past year: The 22-year-old catching prospect in the Philadelphia Phillies organization competed at the 10th annual XM All-Star Futures Game last summer at Yankee Stadium. Then he traveled to Beijing and helped guide Team USA to the bronze medal at the Summer Olympics. He ended the summer with a call-up to the Phillies, who went on to a World Series championship.

"The Olympics is the ultimate," Marson said. "Getting the big-league callup, going through the World Series parade, the Arizona Fall League, getting back up with the Phillies, seeing all the happy Phillies fans ... it's been crazy. I'm lucky. Many players wouldn't have been this fortunate.

"I hope to continue having great experiences in the future."

Marson had his contract purchased from Class AA Reading last year and played 94 games, mixing his time in the minors with time spent playing for Team USA. He hit .314 with five home runs and 46 RBIs for Reading.

Then in Beijing, he played in five games in the Olympics and came home with a bronze medal.

"Playing for your country is an incredible thrill," Marson said. "You don't get too many chances to play with Team USA's letters draped across your jersey. I had a great time and will always remember it. It was memorable in many ways for me and my family. I just had a blast."

Following his Olympics experience, the catcher was called up for the final regular-season game with the Phillies. He made the most of that big-league opportunity by hitting a home run off Washington Nationals pitcher Marco Estrada.

"Getting the chance to be part of the team as they went through the playoffs and through the World Series was something I didn't expect," said Marson, who was drafted in the fourth round of the 2004 amateur draft out of Coronado High School in Scottsdale, Ariz. "It's a different perspective to view it that way. The way the team came together was something to watch. I feel like I learned a lot."

He even learned what it feels like to be part of a parade with two million fans, as the Phillies did after winning the World Series. Not the typical beginning for a young prospect.

"The parade was crazy," Marson said. "There were so many people in Philly. It was amazing. Even though I didn't have a direct effect on what happened, to be in the middle of it was something. I had fans thank me for winning a World Series and I joked about how I only played in one regular season game. The fans were so happy to see the Phillies win it all. For me, it was all part of the learning experience. I hope to play a direct role the next time it happens."

After the World Series, Marson competed for the Phillies at the 17th annual Arizona Fall League, where he played for the Mesa Solar Sox, not far from his hometown of Scottsdale.

This season, he played seven games with the Phillies before being sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Allentown, Pa. While Marson was initially disappointed with the move, he's treating it with the ultimate professionalism.

"It's not about where you start, but where you finish," Marson said. "There are so many players who would like to be in my position. I have nothing to be upset about. It's all positive for me. I'm happy with my progress. I feel like the small amount of time I spent with the Phillies this season will help me more down the road."

The pitchers were complimentary and that gave Marson more confidence.

"When you're catching a game in the majors, the pitcher has to be comfortable with you," Marson said. "I feel like we got into a rhythm. I learned what they liked and they got comfortable with how I call a game. I learned when to go to the mound for a visit. Really, it's all about the little things. That's what baseball is-it's a lot of little things wrapped into one big thing."

In the meantime, Marson needs to have some down time while staying sharp on and off the field.

He enjoys watching sitcoms, specifically "Two-And-A-Half Men" on CBS. Listening to music on his iPod is also relaxing.

Having books, music and videos is vital to the players during the eight-to-nine hour bus rides that are common in the minor leagues.

"Yeah, sometimes the bus rides can be tough," Marson said. "You bring enough to keep you occupied. If you let your mind wander, it's not good. I like to relax on the bus rides and just let my mind chill out. Nothing too heavy for me. The rides haven't been too bad."

How about the ballpark?

"For a minor league park, it's great," Marson said. "There are some in the lower-level leagues that are tough. I'm lucky."

Marson is continuing to work on the little things with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at Coca-Cola Park, located about 60 miles from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

With Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz struggling through an oblique injury earlier this season and 36-year-old backup Chris Coste reduced to a part-time role, Marson understands he could receive a call any day and be packing his bags once again for the City of Brotherly Love.

"You have to be ready for anything," said Marson, ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the organization by Baseball America. "Nothing should shock you. I'm only 22 years old and I've seen so much already in a short amount of time. I know my time will come. If I keep putting in the work, good things will come of it. I'm always ready for anything."

After all, no one could have prepared him for what happened last season. Who knows what's in store for his future? Perhaps baseball will be reinstated for the 2016 Summer Olympics lineup and he could once again wear a Team USA uniform.

"Baseball makes you mature from an early age," he said. "When you get that, you move forward. I'm young but ready for anything. I'm focused on what I need to do now and in the future. It's a future I'm really excited for."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc. Andy Jasner is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This story was not subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee or any National Governing Bodies.