Wingnuts' Amado Enjoys Teaching the Art of Hitting

Published on June 4, 2013 under American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release


Jose Amado is one of the few people in baseball who can say he was both a Lugnut and a Wingnut. Truth be told, Amado is nuts about the game of baseball and enjoys coming to the ball park every day and night.

Amado, or ‘Pop' as he is known around the Wichita Wingnuts' clubhouse, played the game he loved for 14 years. After playing in such places as Everett, WA, Wilmington, DE, and Bridgeport, CT, Amado landed in Wichita and now enters his fourth season as the Wingnuts' hitting coach.

Amado's first professional season was spent in Everett WA, which at the time was a Low-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Amado played wth the High-A Lansing Lungnuts before signing with the Kansas City Royals. While with the Royals, Amado played Double-A ball with the Wichita Wranglers and was a member of their 1999 Texas League championship team--the last professional sports championship in the City of Wichita to date. Some of Amado's Wrangler teammates included Jaime Bluma, Dee Brown, Shawn Sedlacek and Carlos Febles.

The 37-year-old Amado hit .290 or better in nine of 14 seasons as a pro, and drew 421 career walks versus just 281 strikeouts. Amado's progression up baseball's ladder was slowed by injuries, but he has no regrets and still misses playing the game he loved.

"I remember everything about playing baseball. I miss playing baseball, hitting every day and everything about playing the game," Amado said. "I was not a home run hitter, but I could hit lots of doubles and line drives. I was a good contact hitter who could hit .300. I was tough to strike out. I played in Wichita a couple of years in Double-A and thought I could play in the majors, but injuries really hurt me."

Amado has had six shoulder surgeries and three knee surgeries. Yet once he puts that uniform on, he always has a smile on his face. He reminds people in that way of Andre Dawson. Dawson was another guy who suffered with knee issues, and teammates of Dawson always commented on the effort it took for him to get ready for a game.

Wichita manager Kevin Hooper was a teammate of Amado's during the Wingnuts' inaugural 2008 season and his work ethic impressed the soon-to-be skipper.

With his playing days behind him, Amado focuses on working with hitters and assisting in the recruiting of players, especially those from his home country of Venezuela.

"I rely on him tremendously and I am lucky to have him. He's my guy," Hooper said. "Venezuelan guys who don't have jobs, we're going to get an early crack at signing them. He works his butt off and is in the cage 24/7. Jose is a huge help to us when recruiting quality Latin players, because he'll go out and get them."

Venezuela is a country that has produced baseball stars such as David Concepcion, Andres Galarraga and Omar Vizquel. However, Amado from San Cristobal, Venezuela stated that he looked up more to his father than any of the Major Leaguers from his home country.

"There was not much baseball where I grew up. The only person I could look up to was my dad. He helped me learn about baseball. He's the only person that I owe everything too. I never dreamed of being a professional baseball player, but he believed in me, and pitched to me every day and night. I learned the hard way thanks to him," Amado said.

Amado discussed how he at times has assisted Hooper and General Manager Josh Robertson in recruiting athletes from his native country.

"Now (recruiting) is not as hard, because they are hearing from other guys that this is a good place to play and be. I just try to find good guys that carry themselves well and play the game hard. Sometimes if it is a guy ‘Hoop' is not sure on, I just keep pushing and pushing until they can't say no," Amado said.

The Winguts have had great success under Amado's hitting tutelage as the team as hit .295, .311, and .291 in his three full years as a hitting coach. Through the first 17 games this season Wichita is batting a collective .294--tied for first in the American Association.

Second baseman Jake Kahaulelio is just one of the Wingnuts' batsmen who are flourishing under Amado's instruction. Kahaulelio finished first in the American Association last year with a .372 average and is currently hitting .353 for the 11-6 Wingnuts.

"I have had good hitting coaches in my career, but for some reason you just come across a guy where it clicks. I have to give him (Amado) all the credit for last year. Jose just calmed me down. It started last year and it has continued so far this year," Kahaulelio said. "I started late this year because I was not sure if I was going to play this season, but right from the start he made me just feel right again.

"He's patient, and that is what you want in a hitting coach. You don't want someone who is going to try to fix your swing in one day--it's a progression. With him he just makes you feel so comfortable with the little things that it becomes a quick easy fix."

With the success that the Wichita offense has had during ‘Pop's' years as hitting coach, it is no surprise that his name comes up when coaching and managing positions arise. Amado made it clear, though, that he enjoys working with Hooper and pitching coach Luke Robertson.

"I love those guys. I learn from 'Hoop' and Luke every single day. Everything we do we usually agree, and if we don't, we will talk it out," Amado said. "'Hoop' trusts us to do our work and lets us do it. That is what I like about him. He lets me do my job. The thing about us three is we work hard every day to make this team better."

Amado is also proud to be living and working in Wichita.

"I love Wichita. It is a very nice city. I loved playing here, my kids are here, and this will be our home for the rest of my life," Amado said.

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