Baseball: Heilman provides the spark for Irish success
By CHRIS FEDERICO
Sports Writer
Late last summer the Notre Dame baseball team got a taste of Christmas rather early.
No, it wasn't forced to practice in the snow because of a freak South Bend summer blizzard. Instead, the team received a gift — a big gift.
In fact, it was a 6-foot-5 225-pound gift in the form of three-time All-American pitcher Aaron Heilman.
Heilman, who was drafted by the Minnesota Twins over the summer in the first round, postponed a hefty signing bonus and a major league contract for a chance to play one more year with his Irish teammates.
"I really wanted to come back for my last year and get my degree," said
Heilman, the two-time Irish captain. "I knew I'd be coming back to a strong team with a bunch of great guys, and I wanted to be a part of it for one more season."
It seems that Heilman's return has been the spark needed to ignite Notre Dame to national prominence in baseball. The No. 1 Irish currently hold the nation's best record at 37-6-1 and own the lowest team ERA at 2.55.
"Aaron's return this year has meant everything to us," said Irish head coach Paul Mainieri. "Coming back for his senior season has made a stronger statement about his belief in this team than anything I could imagine. It provided a great boost of confidence to everyone on the team. Those guys are all playing up this year because they want to show that they are just as committed to him."
The big senior has definitely made the most out of his decision to remain in South Bend. Heilman, who has won 20 of his last 21 decisions, is 10-0 this year with the nation's fifth-best ERA at 1.32.
So far this season, he has captured the Big East career records for wins and strikeouts. If he continues to pitch well, Heilman will own many other Notre Dame pitching records as well.
His 38-7 career record is just two wins shy of the all-time mark of 40 set by Tom Price from 1991-94. Heilman's career ERA is only .13 higher than the record mark of 2.36 set by Nick Palihnich from 1959-61.
"He's definitely a great pitcher. We always feel like we can win when Aaron is on the mound," said Mainieri. "In my mind, he may go down as the best baseball player in Notre Dame history."
Heilman, who likely stands to become only the 17th athlete at Notre Dame to be a four-time All American, is not content with just his past success. Make no mistake — he came back for his senior year to win.
"Playing in the tournament last year and hosting a regional a couple of years ago were great experiences for me," said Heilman. "Being ranked No. 1 this week has probably been the highlight of my career so far, but I have a feeling that the best times are still to come."
Heilman's return to Notre Dame will last far beyond his final season. While next year he will be playing professionally, the Irish will still feel the benefits of his decision to remain.
By reclaiming his role as the team's No. 1 starter, Heilman allowed several younger pitchers to develop and gain experience before being tossed into the fire.
Next year, when these pitchers step into the spotlight themselves, they will have an extra year of pitching under their belts. In the meantime, these younger pitchers will have benefited from learning under one of the game's best players.
"Life will go on next year without him because he has laid such a great foundation for us for years to come," said Mainieri. "He has been a great leader and teacher to the younger guys by helping them to develop as players."
Mainieri believes what makes Heilman the special player he has become is not merely his talent — it is his personality and the way he leads his team. Even as a perennial All- American and nationally recognized ace, Heilman has never let his fame inflate his ego.
"He is one of the most unselfish players I have ever coached," said Mainieri. "So many guys feel they should be treated specially because they have talent, but Aaron has never been like that. He is the type of player that leads by example. He is always giving advice to younger players, raking the mound after games and practice and doing whatever he can to help out the team."
In Heilman, the Irish have everything a team could want in a pitcher and captain. He has the talent to dominate any hitter, the poise take over a game and the personality to lead any team to a national title.
Mainieri sums up the Irish leader very well as he boasts with pride, "He is the type of player and person that you only get to coach once in a lifetime, and I feel very fortunate to have that opportunity now."
All Sports Stories for Friday, April 27, 2001
