If there is a player who does not fear overtime with the Capitals, it is Mathieu Sirois. Not only is the Quebec athlete trying to break into the lineup, but he also occupies the position of baseball operations coordinator in the team offices.
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In 25 years of history with the Capitals, this is a rather unusual duplication.
In 2011, Mathieu Vallières completed an internship in the Capitales offices in addition to taking part in 20 games.
Otherwise, none other than Michel Laplante, in the beginnings of the team in 1999, worked in the organization in addition to being the ace of the pitching rotation.
Sirois, who made his mark with the Quebec Diamants, played in 2022 and 2023 at Bellevue University, in Nebraska. He only has two distance learning courses left to complete to obtain his diploma in sports administration.
“Ideally, I’m on the team AND I’m in administration. I tell myself that if I have this opportunity at training camp, it’s because I really have a chance. I always say, “We’ll see what happens.” I would really like to combine the two jobs this summer,” he said during an interview at Henri-Casault Park, where the Capitales are preparing their season.
Nose in the paperwork
Last July, Sirois joined the Capitals for two small at-bat appearances. On this occasion, he informed the organization of his interest in getting involved within the administration.
So here he is, baseball operations coordinator and a real jack-of-all-trades.
“My work leads me to take care of contracts, work permits, accommodation, signings, trades, communication with the league,” he listed.
“Without being involved in baseball decisions, we could say, unofficially, that it’s a bit like an assistant to the general manager role,” he added.
Good in the group of players
This therefore means that Sirois has contacted several of his current teammates in recent months regarding contractual issues. Since camp started, the question he has been asked most often is undoubtedly: “Ah, do you play baseball too?”
“It created some slightly funny situations, but really no tension,” he laughed.
On the pitch, the 24-year-old is no imposter. From 2019 to 2021, with the Diamonds, he had batting averages of .408, .403 and .424.
“On the baseball side, I also want to help the team by playing on the field. I’m happy to have the opportunity to see how far both roles can go at the same time. For me, it’s not one dream that replaces the other, it’s one and the other at the same time,” he said.
As a player and coach in independent baseball, it happened a lot. Player and member of the administration, this would be a unique phenomenon.
All that remains for Mathieu Sirois is to change from Clark Kent’s glasses in the offices to Superman’s cape when he jumps onto the field.
A “real brain” for the Capitals
Photo Stevens LeBlanc
Whether Mathieu Sirois ends up in the Capitals offices or both in the offices and in the field, the organization looks forward to building on his contribution.
“Mathieu is a real brain,” rejoices the vice-president of the team, Charles Demers, who works daily with him in the administrative premises at Stade Canac.
“For me, he is a real asset in our offices and so much the better if that becomes the case in the field too. He has really achieved a great integration and we involve him in several facets, including our brainstorms on Thursday, where we brainstorm all kinds of ideas,” he adds.
Demers is the first to wish Sirois to fully experience the dual challenge of player and administrator.
He himself got a taste of it in 2017, when he held the same functions that Sirois currently holds, in the closed circle of professional players. The whole thing lasted just one at-bat, but still…
“I would never dare compare myself to him in terms of baseball experience, that would be haughty! Out of respect for the players, I have never boasted about this batting presence, even if we sometimes bring it out laughing,” laughs Demers.
A real opportunity
The latter assures that his 24-year-old colleague can really surprise.
“He’s coming out of junior baseball and we really wanted to try him last year, but he never really got a chance. There was really little space. This time we have to give him a chance,” he notes.
Whatever happens to Sirois’ dream on the field, his future seems assured in baseball operations.
“He is the envy of many players who find themselves with limited options after their athletic career. He has the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds,” summarizes Demers.
2024-05-01 20:19:18
#break #Capitals #roster #team #administration
