On Monday, Port Allegany native Brian Stavisky announced his
retirement from the Class AA Reading Phillies, and in the act,
parted ways with a nine-year minor league career.

Stavisky’s decision came in his second season with the R-Phils,
playing in just 39 games this season. He was batting .276 with 11
RBIs and three home runs.

“They were kind of a little shocked but very supportive. I
thanked them for my opportunity, and they wished me well,” said
Stavisky when he relayed his final thoughts to the manger in
Reading, among other personnel. “I just tried to make sure I
expressed how much I appreciated my time here.”

The former University of Notre Dame standout entered the minors
when he was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the sixth round of
the 2002 MLB Amateur Draft. Over six years, Stavisky spent time on
clubs ranging from the Single-A, Double-A and Triple-A level in the
A’s organization.

Since being released by the Oakland franchise in the spring of
2008, though, Stavisky, at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, has been with
three different teams: The Lancaster, Pa., Barnstormers
(independent), the Arkansas Travelers (AA) of the Los Angeles
Angels’ organization and finally the Phillies in Reading.

Through it all, Stavisky has been listed on the roster for eight
discrete minor league clubs. He hasn’t been put back in Triple-A
ball since 2007. And, he’s never crossed the threshold into the big
show.

“When I first got into pro ball, every year I moved up a level
until I got to Triple-A,” Stavisky said. “That was the only thing I
knew in pro ball. Then, after the last few years, you kinda have a
fresh start but you start all over again.

“Everyone’s goal is to reach the majors, and that was my goal
for the longest time. I’m still content with what I’ve done.”

Stavisky’s most successful stint was with the the aptly named
Class A Modesto A’s in the California League in 2004 and was
highlighted by a league championship — a career season for the
longtime first baseman and outfielder. During one of just five
seasons in which he appeared in over 100 games, the lefty batter
had his best statistical campaign in batting average (.343),
on-base percentage (.413), slugging percentage (.550), runs (108)
and hits (176). He also finished with 19 homers and 83 RBIs, both
standing as second-best career marks in their respective
categories.

In his last three years with the Athletics, Stavisky played
Triple-A ball twice. But, both times came in fractional stints with
the Sacramento River Cats, while first moving up from a AA-club in
Midland, Texas, in 2006, then down to a Single-A team in Stockton,
Calif., in 2007 before being promoted back to Sacramento the same
year.

Along with endless relocation, the back-and-forth lifestyle —
bus and air travel over 140-plus games over six months every season
— has progressively taken its toll on Stavisky. Turning 30 years
old in a month, Stavisky is eager for the next, steady phase in his
life, one that has a conventional five-day work schedule with
weekends off.

“I’m getting to the point where I want to be in one place and
not living out of a suitcase. Spring training starts in March and
April down in Clearwater, Fla. Once it ends, you come up, play from
April to the beginning of September,” Stavisky stated, adding he
substitutes as a teacher in the offseason back home in McKean
County.

“Now it’s going to a permanent offseason,” he added.

The retiring process has been a drawn out one where Stavisky has
sought the guidance of those people close to him.

“It’s been on my mind most of the year. I was excited to start
the year, but once it got going, I wasn’t playing every day. I was
having a hard time adjusting to a role as a bench or reserve
player. The more time I wasn’t playing, I started to think about
things I could be doing. It was kinda a tough season, rather than
coming hear and just playing baseball and having everything cut and
dry.

“Those were my first thoughts, and I started playing more and
even better lately. It was just tough to be motivated everyday.
Even when I had a good game or helped the team win, I wasn’t really
enjoying it anymore. The last couple weeks I have talked to my
parents (Mary and Dan) and talked about what I was feeling.”

The emotion is now a reality, and Stavisky has had a transparent
gratitude for his supporters.

“I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who followed me,” said
Stavisky, who mentioned he was grateful for University of
Pittsburgh at Bradford baseball coach Bret Butler and the
university athletic department for letting him practice with the
team and use the facilities on his time off from the minor
leagues.

“I can’t thank them, I can’t thank everyone enough.”