Michael Kelleher is the starting shortstop, middle-of-the-order bat, and silent leader of the Alamo Heights Mules. Over the last two seasons, Kelleher seems to be involved in every key play of every game, and he always handles situations with a calm yet competitive demeanor. After his senior season with the Mules, Kelleher will attend Texas A&M University, where he’ll turn his focus over to academics and turn away from his career in organized baseball.
After practice, Kelleher sat down with me for his senior spotlight to talk about his life in baseball and about what makes him a leader on and off the field.
When did you start playing baseball?
I didn’t play tee-ball, I actually first started with machine pitch around the age of seven or eight. My goal was, if I didn’t get a base hit every single time, I felt like it was a failure. I was pretty competitive at that age too. So I started with machine pitch, then I moved up to kid-pitch at the little league fields where we all competed growing up.
Why didn’t you start out playing tee-ball?
I got really into soccer, honestly, when I was younger. I feel like everyone plays soccer when they’re younger, so they start out and they do a year of it and then they quit, but really I played all the way up through 4th grade, so I stuck with it and at that young age I didn’t think there was time for tee-ball. I also went to St. Mary’s Hall, so I didn’t grow up as much as these guys with maybe the baseball being stressed as much.
When did you make varsity?
I made it as a sophomore. I kinda rotated with the varsity and down with the junior varsity. Maybe half-and-half during the season and then up of the playoffs. I was just a pinch runner, so it was kind of nerve-wracking because I got two chances, maybe even one chance a game to run and you had to do it right or else the older kids were going to get on you. I remember sophomore year in a big district game against Boerne Champion and I’m on second base and it’s 0-0 and we have Nate hitting at the plate. I get the steal sign to go to 3rd, and the pitcher does a pick-off move, but I’m already stealing, so I knew I was caught in the middle and I got picked off and I can’t tell you how many guys got on me. That was a frustrating night for me, but you work your way up.
What has been your favorite memory with Alamo Heights baseball?
Honestly, I think the most vivid memory is from last year when we beat Boerne Champion in the regional final to go to Dell Diamond. It was the excitement and also a relief, because we had lost to Champion twice in the regular season that year, and we got past them. You see all the excitement on our faces, then the huge disappointment on their faces. I think Coach Thompson was crying and all the emotion got to you. We finally got over that hump, and we were finally at the big house
Are you glad you played baseball and football in high school? How did that help you?
Yes, definitely. I grew up loving basketball and if I could’ve played all three I would have. Playing two sports that are so different from each other, you grow as a person. In football, I’m not the most ‘hit, hit, hit’ mentality, I would just go fast flying around, so baseball is kind of a relief but calm and intense at the same time. It’s a balance between the two. I definitely learned from both.
How would you describe playing shortstop, where you’re the captain of the field?
As everyone knows, I’ll joke around when I’m in the locker room, but when I’m out playing I’m kind of to myself in my own head and I’m not real verbal. Sometimes Coach Thompson says I need to talk to people more than I’m used to, especially playing shortstop as a junior. There were still a lot of seniors on the team, and I gained confidence throughout the year talking to them and at the position in general. I started out well, and I realized it was going to work so I stuck with it and then I gained the confidence with the vocal part, and I think everyone around you accepts you more. Now as a senior, I don’t have it down, but I definitely have more confidence.
You’re shortstop, captain of the field, and you were voted by your peers as Homecoming King. What do you think makes you such a great leader?
I think the thing that makes me a leader is I really try to understand people and I know how people are. I can adapt to others. Some people have a dry humor, some are always laughing, and there’s many different people. I think if you can bring your own personality out with everyone, but also adapt to how other people are, that’s the key to gaining trust from people.
Do you model yourself after any particular player?
I grew up really liking the Astros. As far as like a speed guy, probably Michael Bourn. Hunter Pence too. What I like about Hunter Pence is sometimes I do things that are unorthodox, and I think that’s how Hunter Pence is, but he always gets it done, so that’s who I model myself after. I also grew up liking Lance Berkman mainly for his hitting, slugging, and his confidence.
What’s your go to song before a game?
Honestly, my music is whatever my sisters download, because you know you just share it with the family on Itunes. For the longest time people were telling me to get Spotify, and I never got it. Now I’m thinking about getting it. Honestly though, it’s whatever they’re playing in the locker room.
Who do you go to if you need a laugh in the dugout or at practice?
I joke with a lot of people on the team. Nate, being up the middle with me, we joke a lot. I mean it’s serious, but we’re also joking a lot. Parker Taylor is always clowning around in center field and he’ll yell something at you that you just have to chuckle at and say something back. Tyng is always messing with everyone, so you have to joke with him.
Who would play you in a movie about your life?
I don’t think I’m as funny as him, but I want to be like Will Farrell. Sometimes he’s too out of hand, but I feel like he’s trying to get the best out of people. He brings a dry humor that I sometimes take as seriousness, so I see that as something I can bring.
Name three people you would invite to your dream dinner party. What would you eat?
I have to invite Blake Lively because that’s my crush. I’ll bring Will Ferrell along, and I think I have to bring Jonah Hill. It would be fun. I think it could get out of hand pretty quickly. We’d for sure be eating steaks.
If you were stranded on an island with one person, who would you choose and why?
Probably my mom to be honest. No offense to my dad, but you know how moms are, she just runs the house and is always on top of things. She wouldn’t be forgetful with stuff and she’s pretty smart.
If you had to tell the world one thing about yourself, what would you say?
High character. I think everything I bring into baseball, school, hanging out with people, is for the betterment of people around me. It’s the way I enjoy being, having a high character approach.