Heilman turns down Twins for senior year with Irish
By KERRY SMITH
Sports Editor
With his decision to return to Notre Dame for his senior year instead of signing with the Minnesota Twins Tuesday, right-handed pitcher Aaron Heilman probably learned more about business than he did in his three years as a business major.
The senior Management Information Systems (MIS) and Philosophy major learned that the game he grew up playing as a child is a business just like any other profession. And it turned out to be a $500,000 lesson.
Heilman, the right-handed pitching ace from Logansport, Indiana, was the 31st player selected in the 2000 Major League Baseball First-Year Draft by the Minnesota Twins, but elected to void the TwinsÕ rights to sign him by attending classes at Notre Dame Tuesday.
ÒItÕs been a long summer,Ó said Heilman against the backdrop of Eck StadiumÕs indoor practice facility. ÒI gave it a lot of thought and talked it over with my family and came to the decision that coming back to school was going to be the best decision for me. It was a very difficult decision to make but its great to be back on campus and IÕm really looking forward to the 2001 season.Ó
In between classes Tuesday, Heilman announced his decision to return for his senior season with the Irish under head coach Paul Mainieri instead of signing with the Twins. He confirmed that one of the major factors in his decision was an approximately $500,000 discrepancy in HeilmanÕs proposed signing bonus Ñ the Twins were willing to pay near $900,000, but Heilman was holding out for about $1.4 million.
ÒIt was fairly significant,Ó said Heilman of the signing bonus discrepancy. ÒIt wasnÕt a few dollars and cents Ñ it was a lot more than that.Ó
Heilman was the TwinsÕ second pick behind fellow right-handed slinger Adam Johnston, who was a first-round pick.
Minnesota drafted Heilman in the ÒsandwichÓ round, a round designed to compensate teams which have lost free agent to another team. In MinnesotaÕs case, Heilman was to serve as compensation for the TwinsÕ loss of free agent Mike Trombley.
ÒThis decision-making process for Aaron and his family has probably been one of the more difficult things theyÕve had to go through Ñ and this decision was made entirely by Aaron,Ó said Mainieri. ÒHe asked [pitching coach] Brian [OÕConnor] and I for advice over the course of the summer ... but in no way did we try to influence him one way or the other. Now that heÕs back at school, obviously weÕre ecstatic and looking forward to what the 2001 season will bring.
ÒI love this guy to death and really want whatÕs best for him,Ó Mainieri continued. ÒIf he had signed, I would have been the first guy in line to give him a hug and send him on his way. Ò
After a successful college career with a 28-7 record amassed over three seasons, analysts expected the three-time All American selection to go higher in the draft, but after lackluster outings in two of his three final performances against Rutgers and Pittsburgh, Heilman went nearly 20 picks lower than expected.
ÒCertainly the first day after I was drafted I was disappointed that I didnÕt go higher,Ó said Heilman. ÒBut I moved on from that and accepted thatÕs where I was and tried to go through the negotiations.Ó
The negotiations proved unsuccessful and after a last ditch effort to reach an agreement with the Twins Monday night, Heilman decided to remain at Notre Dame.
ÒThere were several issues at hand and we didnÕt quite see eye to eye,Ó said Heilman. ÒIt just got to the point where we agreed to disagree. One of the major factors was the signing bonus.Ó
HeilmanÕs opportunity to join the Major League was not his first, nor if all goes well, will it be his last chance.
ÒThis was not a once in a lifetime opportunity for Aaron,Ó said Mainieri. ÒHe had the opportunity coming out of high school to be drafted by the New York Yankees and decided to not sign then and we obviously assume heÕll be back in it next year.Ó
Heilman will use his final season at Notre Dame to brush up on his current repertoire of three pitches Ñ the fast ball, slider and change-up, while possibly adding a fourth pitch to his arsenal.
So for now, the only business Heilman will be concentrating on will be in his MIS classes.
ÒI never thought IÕd be announcing to the world that IÕm going to class,Ó joked Heilman.
But after a summer of deliberation, he knows thatÕs just where he belongs.
All Sports Stories for Wednesday, August 23, 2000
