text size

Texas Infielder Jordan Etier's New Outlook on the Game

Updated: Monday, April 23 2012, 03:18 PM CDT
In baseball, where the best hitters in the game fail seven out of ten times, a short-term memory is as valuable as a good eye and quick hands.  However, UT infielder Jordan Etier refuses to let go.

"I really had to figure out what in life was most important to me," says Etier.

The Texas senior was kicked-off the team following his arrest in October.  Etier was reinstated in January once the charges were dropped, but still stripped of his scholarship and forced to serve a four-game suspension.

"I didn't want people saying this guy ended his career short," says Etier.

"He took the time to apologize to the team and thank us for allowing him back [on the team]," said pitcher Nathan Thornhill.

The Westlake product is making the most of his second chance to play the game he loves.  Etier carried a .268 batting average into this weekend's series at Texas Tech.

"We're so fortunate Jordan got a second chance," says Texas outfielder Mark Payton.  "There's no telling where we would be without him."

"I truly believe this is a moment in his life that will change his life forever," says Longhorns head coach Augie Garrido.

Etier has a new outlook on the game when he's in the batter's box, too.  However, it's unrelated to those lessons he learned off the field.  After mustering a batting average barely above .230 during his first three seasons at Texas - Etier, a natural right-hander, taught himself how to switch hit.

"It's something that started last Spring while I was going through a slump," said Etier.  "You hate to say it, but this game is all about numbers sometimes."

Payton, a natural lefty, is impressed.  "It's pretty cool, at the age of 21 or 22 to just pick-up switch hitting and do as well as he is doing."

He may hit from both the left and right side, but Etier is back on the straight and narrow.  And the lessons learned from his second chance might pay-off in his second career.

"He is appreciating [the second chance] and he's going to make a great coach one day," says Garrido.
Texas Infielder Jordan Etier's New Outlook on the Game