Komine will return to Nebraska
| • | St. Louis pitcher League reaches deal with Blue Jays |
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Two-time All-America pitcher Shane Komine yesterday said he and the St. Louis Cardinals were "too far apart" in negotiations, and he will return to Nebraska for his senior season.
Komine, a 1998 graduate of Kalani High, was selected in the 19th round by St. Louis during the annual first-year player draft in early June. When teams inquired about him after the 10th round, he told them he would return to school. Only the Cardinals said they would consider a bonus worth more than a typical 19th-rounder, he said. But apparently the Cardinals' offer was not enough.
"We were too far apart from what I wanted and what they had to offer," he said.
The 5-foot-9, 175-pound right-handed starting pitcher said he was looking for a six-figure bonus, while the Cardinals were offering around $50,000.
"I'll lose a lot of leverage (as a senior in next year's draft), but it's a risk I have to take," he said.
Komine added he is three semesters away from graduating with a degree in sociology.
In his three seasons with the Cornhuskers, Komine is already the most decorated player in the school's history. He holds career records for wins (31), strikeouts (395) and innings (334¡). He was twice named Big 12 Pitcher of the Year.
This past season, he was 14-2 with a 3.35 earned run average in helping the Cornhuskers to their first College World Series.
Komine was one of eight Cornhuskers drafted.
