Brennan King is the six foot three inch twenty six year old third baseman for the 2007 Ottawa Lynx. One would think that holding down a key spot on the infield and finding yourself the team leader in home runs, (2), and RBI, (23), and second on the team in doubles and, (7), second in slugging and an average of .297 would get you some recognition but King isn’t that type of player.

“I see my role on this team as just one of twenty five guys who has to do his job in order for the team to be successful,” says King. “That’s all I can do really as this team has a lot of good players on it.”

Although this is the ninth year of pro ball for King, his quiet confidence is still an important part of his make up. He grew up and still resides in the small Tennessee town of Murfreesboro, attending Oakland High. “Yeah, you pronounced it right. Everyone asks me about it but it’s pronounced just like it’s spelled. It’s just a bit south of Nashville,” explained King.

“ The scouts started coming around about grade eleven and started noticing me then,” added King. “ Baseball was what I wanted to do.”

“I grew up an Atlanta braves fan-that was the team on television where I lived and Cal Ripken was my baseball idol but my dad is my biggest influence.”

King originally signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second round of the 1999 draft, was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the Rule V draft in 2003 and signed with Philadelphia as a minor league free agent in 2005. Before last season, King played exclusively in double a ball before making his Triple A debut with Scranton last season.

“The Dodgers had a lot of hot prospects at third base in their minor league system. I think I just got stuck in the back log in the Dodger system and didn’t really get noticed,” offered King explaining his years at the Double a level. His stats during those years would certainly seem to back up that statement for he was always able to put together solid if unspectacular season with Jacksonville and Wichita with his power numbers increasing each season.

Ottawa have had trouble hitting the long ball as King leads the team but he has hit only two so far this year, the team hitting only six, far and away the lowest total in the IL.

“This is a very tough park to hit home runs in but I think it’s just one of those things that come in bunches and we’ll get our fair share before this season is over.”

The Lynx defense has been very steady and at times spectacular this season but having watched King at third base there haven’t been any high light reel catches, a sign that knowledge of the opponent and positioning make for great defense, not diving across foul lines.

“Our coaches and manager do a great job of positioning us just right and the pitching staff have been sticking to our game plan. It makes playing defense a whole lot easier and we’re able to make the plays when we need to.”

King was invited to spring training this past March and met and worked with Phillies legend and Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt.

“He was around and was there to help anyone who wanted it but he didn’t single me out or anything but it was great to be around him. We didn’t talk and he didn’t get into anything specific. He was just around.”

Each level in the minor leagues has been different but it’s been an ongoing progression for King.

“In the low minors when the pitcher is in a jam they challenge you with the fastball but as you progress through the system you never know what they’re going to throw you. That’s the big difference,” offered King. “You never know what pitch is coming next. They’re a lot smarter and unpredictable here.”

Although he is understandably anxious to get to The Show, he’s been enjoying his time in Ottawa.

“It’s a real nice city and I’m having a good time here and we have a great bunch of guys on the team.”

“All I can do is my best and hope that the big club will give me the call but for now I’m here to help the Lynx have the best season they can.”

Steady, quiet and hard working, Brennan King has been everything manager John Russell could ask for so far this season. Steady, quiet and hard working usually gets the job done.