The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

ANOTHER minor league season has ended for Antoan Richardson.

However, the veteran infielder remains steadfast in his quest to reach stability in Major League Baseball.

Richardson and the Bowie Baysox dropped their third straight game to the Akron Aeros and ended the 2012 season with a 5-2 loss to close out their best of five playoff series.

After leading the series 2-0, the Baysox were unable to close out the series and win a third and deciding game.

Last year’s call-up to the major league’s was easily the highlight in the professional career of Richardson thus far.

Now back in the AA Minor League system, Richardson says he plans to continue in the major league system and chase the ultimate baseball player’s dream.

“It comes to consistency. I know I still have a good opportunity to get to the majors. It’s just a matter of me staying prepared and being ready at any moment to receive that call,” he said, “Going through the minor league system, it’s not an easy task and it takes a lot of will and perseverance.

You have to love the game and want to chase that success at a higher level to keep at it and that’s what I am going to do.”

On the season, Richardson hit .279 with 26 stolen bases and 15 RBI.

The 28-year-old outfielder said he remains grounded and inspired. “Having received the call before, a lot of the younger guys definitely look up to me and seek my advice on certain things and I just try to let them know, the number one thing is to stay focused and keep everything in perspective,” he said, “I always remember a quote Ryan Howard said to me and it keeps me inspired, he said to ‘treat every play, every inning, every game, every season like a major league season.’ It helps because no matter where you play you have to stay at your best while you look for that opportunity.”

Originally drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 27th round of the 2001 amateur draft, Richardson decided that he wasn’t quite ready and he stayed at American Heritage School in Delray Beach, Florida, until he was drafted for the third time, this time by the San Francisco Giants in the 35th round in 2005.

He went on to play in the pipelines with both the Giants and the Atlanta Braves until the Braves called him up to the MBL, where he made his debut on September 4.

But after being released out of his free agency agreement on November 2, Richardson signed with the Orioles as a free agent on December 16 where he restarted his pro journey in the minor leagues all over again.

The speedy outfielder made his major league debut on September 4, 2011 in a 4-3 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pinch-hitting for starting pitcher Randall Delgado, he singled to center field on the first pitch he saw in the fifth inning.