hey call him Buh. It seems like a routine-enough nickname for Michigan centerfielder Brian Bush, but looks can be deceiving.
It began, because it's short for Bush, and that's what the older guys called him. But it's developed into a name with a little more meaning.
"Everyone on the team gets a little extra excitement when they hear the word 'Buh'," said Michigan senior pitcher Ryan Kelley.
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| DANA LINNANE/Daily Michigan centerfielder Bryan Bush began playing baseball when he was five. He now leads a talented group of Michigan seniors hoping to marshall the Wolverines into Big Ten contention. |
"He loves to create and make things happen," Michigan coach Geoff Zahn said. "When he hits what would normally be a routine single, the whole team knows that if the outfielder bobbles the ball, Brian is going to end up on second. He always looks for ways to take advantage of the other team."
So far this season, Bush is doing just that. He is currently leading the team in batting with a .366 average. In addition, he has hit eight doubles, four triples and four homeruns. He has stolen eight bases in 12 attempts, and defensively, Bush has a .957 fielding percentage.
"This season I've been given a chance," Bush said. "I haven't had to split time, and I can go without pressure. Instead of worrying about getting the position, I know when I wake up that I'm going to be in the lineup."
Bush's starter status has not come easily. His senior season has been his most productive as a Wolverine due to a tremendous amount of hard work and dedication.
"He's developed a little each year," Zahn said. "He's made a lot of improvements, and the things he's worked on have come to fruition - getting jumps on the ball, running down balls and catching balls against the wall.
"Offensively, we've always wanted to hit more to the right side, and he's doing that now. He can pull pitches inside. He's a much more complete and a much smarter player."
Bush has also developed into a leader both on and off the field. During games, he has become a clutch player both in the field and at the plate.
"In crucial situations, we can always count on Buh," Kelley said. "Defensively and offensively, he always comes up with the big play. As a pitcher, I can always count on him to save my butt. He plays hard every pitch."
In the dugout and in the clubhouse the Wolverines look to the senior to pick them up when things are not going so well, or when they just need a lift.
"He's one of our vocal leaders," Kelley said. "He'll talk about not keeping our heads down. The younger guys look up to him, because he brings fun and a good sense of humor to the team.
"Away from the field, he'll always back me up. If I'm in a back alley, he'll be there for me. He'll battle for everybody on the team."
With the aforementioned good sense of humor comes a few small superstitious habits.
"Sometimes if I'm hitting well, I won't shave," Bush said. "If I showered before and after breakfast and then have a good game, I'll do the same thing next game. When I have a good game, I try to do the same routine. If I have a bad game, I'll switch it up and do something different."
Although he feels he leads more by example, Bush admits that he and the other seniors do what they can to keep team morale high.
"All of our seniors have some kind of role," Bush said. "We're hoping the younger guys will take a liking to how we reflect on the team and do the same when we leave."
Aside from physical strides, Bush has also grown mentally. He knows that if he spends all his time worrying about what went wrong, he won't perform as well on the field
"You can't play baseball without a mental edge," Bush said. "I've learned in college and in summer leagues, through a variety of coaches, how to take baseball as a fun sport. You have to take each mistake as a learning experience, instead of dwelling on what's gone bad.
"One of my strengths as a player is my adjustment to adversity. If I do something bad, I know that the next day I'll do whatever I can to fix it."
Bush began his baseball career at the age of five, after playing in the backyard with his father and realizing that he had a good arm.
"My parents always preached organized sports to us, because it kept us out of trouble," Bush said. "I've always liked that it's a team sport with individual pressures as well.
"You have to perform for the team and for yourself, and the challenge is amazing."
Apparently, the challenge has facilitated a tremendous appreciation, as well as a tremendous love, for the game of baseball.
"The greatest thing about Brian is he just loves to play," Zahn said. "He brings exuberance to the field. He takes extra bases, and he does it with a flair. He loves to show off his speed, and he loves to compete. He really enjoys the game."
For Bush, baseball is something to enjoy. It is not supposed to be a chore.
"I go out and have fun," Bush said. "Baseball's about fun. If it's not fun, that's when it will destroy you."
04-20-99
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