Uptons: Talent runs in the family
Ronald Carthen
Special to the BCSP
Only two black college players, second basemen Corey Wimberly of Alcorn State and Carl Lipsey of Jackson State, were among the over 1,500 selections in this year's Major League Baseball Draft (June 5-6). That doesn't mean however that black college players had no impact.
In fact, you had to look no further than the top of the draft to see the influence of a black college player. Former Norfolk State standout Manny Upton's son Justin, a high school star in Chesapeake, Va., was the first overall selection by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
And this is not the first time an Upton offspring has showed up early
in the draft. Manny's older son B.J., was the second overall selection in 2002
by Tampa Bay while a high schooler. The Uptons' represent the first time in
draft history that brothers have been selected in the first and second slots.
Like his sons, Manny Upton played the shortstop position in his freshman year at Norfolk State in 1976 under head coach Marty Miller. Upton was moved to catcher his sophomore year before eventually settling in as an outfielder his final two seasons. As a standout at the plate and in the field, Upton helped Miller record four of his Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) record 17 championships.
Upton came to NSU to play football as a wide receiver after a great career at Great Bridge High School, which also included stints on the baseball, basketball and track teams. But the 6-3, 200-pounder also wanted to be a part of America's pastime.
He made the all-CIAA first team in 1978 and 1979 and made the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) first team. He led the team in triples in 1977, doubles in 1978, and tagged seven home runs in 1979. But when he graduated with a degree in social work, he didn't get drafted to the majors. Even though he didn't get the chance of playing any professional sports, Upton was grateful to play for great coaches and for being a Spartan.
"The bottom line is according the scouts I wasn't good enough," said Upton, who is now 47. "They weren't looking for athletes in black schools then. I was an aggressive player. I enjoyed the game and being around my teammates and my coaches. I was fortunate to have great coaches that didn't settle for anything mediocre."
According to Miller, now Norfolk State's athletic director, Upton, known to him by the moniker "Bossman," should have been drafted.
Upton went on to become an assistant coach to Miller at NSU for one year. Later, he started a ten-year banking career at People's Bank in Chesapeake. After that, he became a scout for the Chicago White Sox and then the Kansas City Royals. He has been a basketball official in both the CIAA and MEAC but now gets most of his work from bigger conferences like the ACC. On June 4, 2002, Upton and his wife Yvonne, a physical education teacher in the Tidewater, were the happiest parents in the world. The Devil Rays choose their son B.J. which stands for Bossman Jr., his real name is Melvin Emanuel a high school prep star from Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, as the second overall selection in the draft. Then in this year's draft, the Diamondbacks took Justin, who prepped at Great Bridge, as the number one overall selection.
"It was a reaction of joy for their hard work," said Upton. "If you are picked up in the first round it's a great accomplishment. Words can't describe how proud I am of my boys."
After a brief call-up to the parent club in 2004, B.J. now plays for the Devil Rays' AAA affiliate, the Durham Bulls. Upton, who is listed at 6-3, 180 pounds, leads the Bulls in total hits and has a .292 batting average. He recently played in the Futures Game in Detroit during the All-Star break. He has been compared to a young Derek Jeter.
Justin, at 6-2, 180, is considered by his dad to be a little more developed physically that B.J. was at his age. Justin batted .519 with 11 home runs and 32 RBIs in just 54 plate appearances this year for the Wildcats, who finished 18-5 and won their district title. He also won many awards including Gatorade High School player of the year and Virginia player of the year. Scouts consider both Uptons 'five tool' players, meaning they can hit for power, average, play the field well, throw with force and run the bases with speed. They expect Justin, who some have labelled the best position player since Gary Sheffield, to move rapidly in the Arizona Diamondbacks farm system once he gets signed. B. J.'s contract reportedly paid him $4.6 million over five years.
"I believe he'll do just fine," said the proud father of Justin. "It depends on the support system and the people around that are going to help him."
B.J and Justin, just like their father, played baseball, basketball and football. They were both getting interest letters from schools across the country. Justin was the top sophomore in the nation at the quarterback position. He was so good in football, he went to the Nike Combine in Chapel Hill, N.C .during the summer of 2002. But both sons decided that baseball is their first love and decided to go straight to the pros, rather than go to college and get a degree.
"I'm proud of them if they go to college or not," said Upton, who keeps in touch with B. J. and often travels with Yvonne to games in Durham. Both mother and father offer advice.
"We talk about hitting if they struggle and what their pitchers are like, but I want them to have fun, play the game, and enjoy their teammates," said Manny. "They are good people persons. I teach them to always be good people persons."
© 2005 Azeez Communications, Inc.