Don't be fooled, says Andover's Matt Hogan.
The former Andover High and Andover Post 8 basher may seem like a natural hitter, but his prowess at the plate is more the result of hard work than instinct.
Of course, looking at his numbers, it's understandable that you'd get the impression that he's "The Natural."
An Eagle-Tribune All-Star first baseman as a senior for the Golden Warriors, he batted an even .400 with 23 RBIs, following that with a .400-plus season for Post 8.
After taking a year off from baseball, he hit .469 and .436 for Northern Essex Community College and, playing in the North Shore Baseball League for the Andover Shockers this summer, he's hitting — after a recent slump — .298, which isn't bad for a wooden bat league. Playing in the NSBL All-Star game, he was 1 for 2 with a double.
No problem, right? Not at all, says Hogan, who remembers well how he struggled to regain his stroke after taking nearly an entire year off from baseball.
Hogan, 21, had gone to UMass Amherst following Andover and he was hoping to continue his career there. It just didn't work out.
"Basically, I got cut after two and a half weeks of (fall) tryouts," said Hogan. "I made it to the final cut, but it was a real downer. I was disappointed I didn't play up to my potential in tryouts and I was disappointed I wasn't playing."
Hogan completed a year at UMass, but he left school and returned home, partly to be with his family a year after his father passed away from cancer and partly because he needed a fresh start, hopefully with baseball included.
Enter Northern Essex, which was building a solid program under Kerry Quinlan and boasted two former Andover teammates, Joel Keefe and Jarrett Mackin, the latter of whom encouraged him to join him with the Knights.
"It seemed like the right thing to do, going to NECCO," said Hogan. "I hadn't done well academically at UMass, so it was a chance to get back on track and also play for a good baseball program."
But, numbers or no numbers, it wasn't that easy getting back in the groove.
"Hitting is something I've had to work at," said Hogan, who was named to the Region 21 All-New England first team this spring. "That I've been able to be successful is due to the hours I put in during the offseason. After taking a year off, I found out what it's like to take a break and then have to fight back to where I was.
"The last two winters, I've been in the batting cages five or six times a week trying to maintain my swing and get used to pitching again. It wasn't easy at all."
Well-known coach and hitting guru Dave Bettencourt has worked with Hogan off and on, including at his DB's facility in North Andover, and has been impressed by Hogan's focus on improving throughout his career.
"Matt's a student of the game," said Bettencourt. "He's always working on something and he's not 'at' a game, he's 'in' the game. He has always put in a lot of time."
For the Shockers, who are in fourth place, Hogan has shown over and over that he truly is "in" the game, which is why the team nominated him to the league for the Peter Arthur Memorial Scholarship, which he was awarded this year. The award, named after the former Andover player and coach, who died of a heart attack, is given to someone who loves the game and demonstrates dedication and good sportsmanship.
"Matt is very humble and always ready to play," said Shockers manager Chris Capano. "He's also the first guy to help carry equipment, offer to toss with a teammate, help rake the field or offer to take a seat so that someone else can grab a late game at-bat or some time on the field."
Perhaps Hogan realizes that, unlike developing your talent, it doesn't take a lot of hard work to be a good teammate. He will take that same approach to Merrimack College this fall, where he is the beneficiary of a $25,000 academic/athletic scholarship to continue his career.
Hogan had also considered Ithaca College, Suffolk University and Rhode Island College, but Merrimack seemed like the right fit for him. The fact that his former Legion coach, Joe Iarrobino, is the Merrimack interim athletic director helped facilitate the transaction.
Iarrobino remembers well many of Hogan's big hits for Post 8, but he also knows that his contributions go beyond the hits sprayed all over the field.
"This is my 20th season (with Post 8) and Matt's probably the best fielding first baseman I've ever had, and I've had some good ones," said Iarrobino. "He plays the big hop, the hard grounders, has a great arm and can scoop anything.
"Plus he's a quality kid. He was the kind of guy who always wanted to stay a little longer at practice or come practice when I gave the team the day off. He's a great teammate and Merrimack is lucky to have him."
The Matt Hogan hit parade
2005, Andover High — .400
2007, Northern Essex — .469
2008, Northern Essex — .436
The Matt Hogan File
Age: 21
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Hometown: Andover
College: Merrimack College/Northern Essex
Position: First baseman
High school: Three-year starter at first base for Golden Warriors. As a senior, was named Eagle-Tribune All-Star after hitting .400 with 23 RBIs and 13 runs.
College: Broke out as sophomore for Northern Essex, hitting .436 with 23 RBIs and three home runs. Will play at Merrimack College next season.
Fighting back: Father (Michael) passed away from cancer in 2005. Was cut from the UMass Amherst baseball team later that year.
Family: Younger brother Jeremy plays tennis at Skidmore College. Mother Nancy.
