Major League Baseball

Hawpe looks to former mate Podsednik for diet tips

Published Mar. 6, 2010 8:19 a.m. ET

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If Colorado Rockies right fielder Brad Hawpe avoids another second-half swoon this season, he'll have Scott Podsednik to thank.

They were Rockies teammates in 2008. Podsednik moved on to the Chicago White Sox last year, and the two outfielders spoke in September.

At the time, Hawpe, a first time All-Star last season, said he felt ``run down.'' Podsednik, meanwhile, was finishing up a very productive season with the White Sox and told Hawpe he had never felt better.

``He was 33 years old, four years older than I was at the time and he's feeling better than he's ever felt,'' said Hawpe, who resolved to speak to Podsednik in the offseason and find out more.

Hawpe recalled Podsednik being in ``fantastic shape'' when he played for the Rockies. And Hawpe remembered something else about Podsednik from their season together.

``I'd watch him be really into his diet and I didn't know anything about it,'' Hawpe said. ``So I just kind of watched and moved on.''

Podsednik steered Hawpe toward Erick Minor, who owns Strength Studio in Fort Worth, Texas, a facility that offers personal training and nutrition planning. Podsednik swore by Minor and his methods.

``He's talking about eating the right kinds of fish and fish oils and lean meats and all these vegetables,'' Hawpe said of Podsednik. ``I'd go a week without eating a vegetable.

``I really focused on my diet. When you're younger, diet doesn't mean as much. When you're 23, 24, 25 years old, you can eat whatever you want. I'm 30 years old now. Last year was the first year I could tell I didn't eat right. I wasn't eating my fruits and vegetables like I should. And it sounds corny or whatever, but it'd be like running a gas tank empty on a car and when you start up the next morning, you put a quarter of a tank in to run the day. You're not ever fully refueled.''

Hawpe hit .320 in the first half of 2009 with 14 homers, 59 RBI and a .577 slugging percentage. After the All-Star break, he hit .240 with nine homers, 27 RBI and a .442 slugging percentage. He averaged one strikeout every 4.51 at-bats before the break and one every 2.65 afterward.

``I wasn't keeping my stamina and energy throughout the season last year like I had before,'' Hawpe said. ``Last year, I kind of hit a wall. I wasn't fat and out of shape. I just was in a position where I couldn't maintain my energy and my strength level. I could lift (weights) and lift with the best of them my size, but by the end of the season, just getting out of bed, you're worn out. You face a starting pitcher who hasn't done anything for four days and you're run down. It's a formula for failure, I decided.''

So Hawpe decided to have a longer discussion with Podsednik, who now plays for Kansas City, and turned to Minor. Hawpe is expected to begin playing in Cactus League games early next week, having gotten over an infection that developed on his left big toe, where an ingrown nail was removed soon after coming to camp.

He has yet to face an opposing pitcher, but Hawpe is optimistic his nutritional regimen will pay dividends in the months to come.

``By June, I may be back to eating macaroni and cheese and mashed potatoes and big steaks. Who knows?'' Hawpe said. ``But I've felt good enough body-wise throughout this winter and early in spring training that I've learned the difference it makes. If that's any indication by later in the year, I'm pretty excited about how I feel.''

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