Jakub Janda did another of his interviews for Mister-Baseball, this time with Robert Eenhoorn, who played in the big leagues, coached and managed the Dutch National Team and now is working as technical manager for the Royal Dutch Baseball and Softball Association (KNBSB).
Robert Eenhoorn
- Born on February 9, 1968 in Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Former Second Baseman/Shortstop
- 37 Games in MLB for Yankees and Angels between 1994 and 1997
- Player-manager for Neptunus in Hoofdklasse 1999-2001
- Manager Dutch National Team 2001-2008
- Since 2008 Technical Director KNBSB
Jakub Janda: Mr. Eenhoorn, everybody in European baseball knows your baseball resume. Please could you get back once again and tell us how you competed for the Yankees shortstop position with Derek Jeter in 1996?
Robert Eenhoorn: The shortstop position in ’96 was given to Derek Jeter after Spring Training. I made the team out of Spring Training as a utility infielder. I played against lefties and Andy Fox against right-handers. Derek started out great and the rest is history. In ’95 I was called up first to start some games and Derek and I roomed together for a few weeks when he got called up later on. Everybody knows him as a great player, but besides that he is really a nice person as well.
JJ: From 2001 to 2008 you worked as a manager of the Dutch Senior national team. How have you enjoyed those years?
RE: I really enjoyed those years and I was lucky to have a great bunch of guys to play for me. I think that together we changed Dutch Baseball from a top European country to a serious competitor in the World.
JJ: What has been your best on-the-field experience, in Europe and overseas and what would you consider as your career highlight, as a player and a manager?
RE: Tough to say. As a Pro player I would have to say my first day in Yankee stadium wearing the pin stripes and the no-hitter Dwight Gooden threw against the Mariners and playing 2nd base. Internationally it would be the win over Cuba in the 2000 Olympics. Cuba was undefeated in all Olympic Games until that moment.
Making a pick as a manager is even tougher. I think being able to stay on top in Europe the entire time and being able to make the semi finals in back to back WC’s in ’05 and ’07 and playing the final of the ICC in 2006 was one great experience. The game against Spain in Barcelona in 2007, to qualify for the Olympics, was probably the biggest thriller.
JJ: What has baseball taken from your life and what has it given to you? What does baseball mean to you personally?
RE: Baseball is my life. It is all I have done till now and I have no idea how it would feel without it. I have learned all important lessons in life thru baseball. Travelled all over the World and met great people a long the way. I have been very lucky when you talk about my working life. One tough part about doing things the right way in Baseball is that it takes up a lot of your time. Time that is usually taken away from your family.
JJ: The 2009 WBC was certainly the biggest success of the Dutch team on the international scene in history. Do you have your explanation for defeating star-packed Dominican Republic even twice?
RE: In short good pitching, defense and believe. We had some veteran players and coaches, who made the rest believe that it was possible. The first win was great, but to do it again was unbelievable. It showed that Baseball is a funny game. Two, three pitchers having a good day and being the favourite doesn’t mean much all of a sudden.
JJ: At the 2010 European Championship (ECH) in Germany, the Dutch team lost to team Italy. Please give us your insights on the finals.
RE: Italy played better that day and deserved to win. We left their first starter of the hook, by scoring only one run in the 1st. We also gave up some sloppy runs, after we made it a one-run game in the 8th. Baseball is a game of momentum. The 1st inning switched the momentum in my opinion and besides that Marco Mazzieri did a nice job by getting his players focussed again, after a tough loss against Sweden.
JJ: Since 2008, you have been working for the KNBSB as a technical manager. What does your job posses and how do you enjoy it?
RE: I am responsible for the Technical part of Baseball, especially the different National Teams including the Academies. Basically it’s trying to upgrade all the programs with all the people that are involved at these different levels I just mentioned. It is different, but I enjoy it so far.
JJ: Why do you think that the Dutch system of youth development is that successful in the long-term? Please give us an insight.
RE: Right now I am happy with our development system with the Academies, Rookie League, but also the head-class, where our most talented kids always get a chance to play. The path of a talented kid is very clear now and our programs are fulltime programs. Everybody knows you need about 10.000 hours, to get the most out of your talent. We started the Academy system in Europe in 2000 and it was understandably followed by many other countries. MLB has been helping out over the last couple of years, which has been a great lift for everybody. The only way to improve is by working smart and hard.
JJ: Baseball in Europe is certainly on the rise. Where do you spot the next steps that have to be made?
RE: I have said for a while that Baseball between the lines has really improved in Europe for various reasons. Everybody is working hard to improve and it has showed the result. I have faith that most of these countries will continue to do so. One of the big challenges for Europe will be the improvement of Baseball off the field. I have my doubts that this will happen in the same time-span, due to too many politics that slows everything down. You need to have the right people in the right spot to grow. I my opinion Europe needs to make some adjustments in this field, if it is really serious about taking the game to the next level.
JJ: There are some rumors about a European professional league. Could you specify where exactly the project is at?
RE: The only one being able to answer this question would be MLB. I turned in a plan for Europe a few years ago and I know that different plans, including this one, are still being discussed. I believe that Europe needs a platform, where all assets of the game have a chance to be improved. Our system and structure doesn’t have this at the moment. Look at our tournaments from a marketing perspective for example. When I hear high profile people say that the Final Four and the EC needs to be market better, I say good luck. The Final Four will be played in a few weeks between three Italian and one German club in Barcelona. Last year it was played between two Dutch and two Italian clubs in Barcelona. The ECH in Germany was played without the best players and I hear the same people saying we need to keep it this way. The local organization really did a tremendous job in Germany like the Germans always do, but if we don’t strive for the best in anything at the top, we definitely won’t grow to our potential. It is that simple.
JJ: Does the Dutch federation somehow cooperate with the Italian baseball? Do you have anything you share such as a European professional league project?
RE: I think we have a good relationship right now. We all understand that it is not an easy task for Riccardo to represent both us as the IBAF President and Italy as their every day President, but our conversations have been very good and constructive so far. Both Italy and Holland know we need to work together to upgrade the game in Europe. We have spoken about all kinds of subjects, concerning the game, and I think I say it right that we still feel very responsible, although we both have chosen not to be represented in the CEB at the moment.
JJ: Do you have your own future plans you would like to share with our readers?
RE: My ambition at the moment is to grow the game and the level in Holland and trying to do the same for Europe, with people who I believe can help and have something to add. International Baseball is at the point of some big steps and changes, with the loss of the Olympic Games. A great challenge, but I am not so pessimistic.
Mister-Baseball thanks Robert Eenhoorn and Jakub Janda for the interview.
Photo: (c) Heidenheim Heidekoepfe (top right, during European Championship with Jim Stoeckel (left) and Steve Janssen (right) and Ron Wikkert, www.eott.nl (bottom left, at price award ceremony for coach of the year in December 2007)
