Let’s jump in his career. Ken is promoted to the majors but sent down after struggling during his initial callup. Caminiti develops a strong bond with Craig Biggio during their time together in Tucson and later with Jeff Bagwell. Can you discuss the relationship between these three great players?
Good: It was a special bond with Ken and Craig. They came up together to the majors. It was important for Caminiti to get demoted. He was by himself as this occurs when a player gets promoted to the majors before his draft class.
Sometimes, young players get isolated from the rest of the team. The Astros had a good group of veterans, but Ken felt alone on road trips. Being promoted with Biggio gave him a familiar face in a big-league locker room.
They both helped each other get acclimated to their new surroundings. Biggio and Caminiti were supportive of one another, especially when working on their swings in the mirror at night in their hotel room.
Now, Jeff Bagwell (acquired from the Boston Red Sox) comes on board as a third baseman in 1991. The competition was fierce and their friendship came about from competing against one another for a starting position. They had similar personalities as both were quiet but very competitive. Ken was forced to raise his level of play because of the presence of Bagwell in the locker room.
Another talented player in the mix is Luis Gonzalez who went on to have an outstanding MLB career in the 90s and early 2000s. It is crazy that all three players were competing for the Astros third base position job in spring training. Caminiti was spraying the ball all over the field early in camp. It was the first time that he had to defend his role on a major league roster.
Bagwell is moved to first base and has a Hall-of-Fame career. All three (Biggio, Bagwell and Caminiti) were there for each other as they fueled one another to produce on the field. No question, there was such a deep bond and so special to watch from a distance.
Compare Caminiti’s performance level under his first MLB manager, Hal Lanier and his second, Art Howe?
Good: It was night and day. Hal Lanier was a yeller who would get on players in front of the entire team. Ken wilted under this type of managerial style. He did for his entire major league career, especially under Terry Collins in 1994.
As a rookie, Caminiti struggled to produce under Lanier as he never felt comfortable on the field. It took him a couple of seasons in winter ball to find his game.
At the time of the Howe hiring, Cammy was the subject of trade rumors, but no team was willing to pull the trigger on a deal. At the start of spring training, Howe pulls Ken aside and tells him that he is his guy at third this season.
Having the manager’s trust and confidence, Caminiti had his first breakout season in the majors. In fact, he should have won his first Gold Glove and many thought Cammy was a borderline All-Star in that season. The offensive production reflected how Caminiti felt comfortable with his manager, which gave him the confidence to perform on the field.