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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit State says 90 percent of tax returns filed electronically this year Emergency services, April 11 Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek Evans Creek dams on track for removal this summer Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 11 Jury awards more than 200K in Rogue River dog-barking case, orders dogs debarked Alleged subscription scammers may be violating state restraining order Central Point police pull attempted theft suspect from prickly hiding spot Emergency services Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Arthur I. Cyr: Afghanistan progress is uneven but undeniable Jackson County Commissioners plan no tax on marijuana for one year Arthur I. Cyr: Iran – a crisis without end Education Prepping before 9th grade Shumate says initiatives will require reserve spending Eagle Point school district violated union members' constitutional rights, federal judge says SOU celebrates Arbor Day early with awards and talks SOU student's play heads to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Environment Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek Evans Creek dams on track for removal this summer Nearly 400 steelhead die in Applegate fish-trap failure Forum looks at Crater Lake wilderness proposal A place to play State News Forest Grove spelling bee celebrates bilingual students Oregon lawmakers, counties spar over public safety spending Runners to follow historic salmon migration path Wyden lobbies for Pendleton research center funding Ex-Nike worker sentenced to probation in sneaker plot Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Paul Inserra James Raymond (“Jimy”) Angel Peggy Gene Ritchie-Potter Anthony (Tony) Ray Hansen Ian Witter Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories Johnson gets fifth Sprint Cup win at Texas Moore, Newman power Panthers to sweep Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Record Run Spieth sets another record Varsity 541 College Sports UO’s Lockie sharp in spring practice Ducks top OSU on bases-loaded walk in 9th Strong pitching gives SOU pivotal sweep Inspirational Hilll dies from tumor Ashland's Norvell first SOU women's wrestler Pro Sports Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Record Run Spieth sets another record No verdict reached in Hernandez trial Duncan keys 10th straight win for Spurs Community Sports Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories New bosses take charge at Harry & David Erickson shores up business with three contracts Ride & Drive: 2015 Ram ProMaster City Blog: Erickson signs construction, firefighting and logging deals, but investors remain a tough sell Dancin Vineyards covers up Real Estate News Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Road to health: Bike and pedestrian paths play greater role in transportation project funding Rogue Disposal plans natural gas fueling site Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest Other Views: Keep Klamath water plan moving in Congress Our View: Emails contradict claims of Kitzhaber, Hayes Matthew T. Mangino: Shooting a fleeing suspect in the back Letters to the Editor, April 10 Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Editorials Other Views: Keep Klamath water plan moving in Congress Our View: Emails contradict claims of Kitzhaber, Hayes Our View: All ethics reform bills should get a hearing Our View: Cheers and jeers Our View: No easy answers to Mexican refugee influx Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 10 Letters to the Editor, April 9 Letters to the Editor, April 8 Letters to the Editor, April 7 Letters to the Editor, April 6 Columns Matthew T. Mangino: Shooting a fleeing suspect in the back Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Kent Bush: Facebook isn’t going anywhere George Will: When everything is a crime Guest Opinions Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Guest Opinion: If Courtney kills bill, $15 minimum wage will go to the ballot Guest Opinion: Phoenix embraces Bee City USA designation Guest Opinion: Marijuana offers Oregon benefits, drawbacks Lifestyle Latest stories Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Steelheaders use social media to auction off a driftboat Hanging out at Hanging Rock Community blog: U.S. dietary guidelines change little with the times Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Food Community blog: U.S. dietary guidelines change little with the times Season Stepp: Try farmer’s market sunchoke in a creamy potato soup Page H. Onorato: Bringing spring to the dinner table Tammy Kelly: Asparagus is in season Power of 5 Home and Garden Garden Cameos: Good soil foundation of fabulous garden Ceramic tile: How it’s made and what’s new Dear Monty: How real estate relocation companies work Paul Rogers: Yard damage may not be as bad as it looks Home Help: 3 things to avoid when renovating your kitchen Health Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Health Watch: Combat common running and walking ailments Dr. Jeff Hersh: Distracted driving Dr. Murray Feingold: Keep laundry detergent packets away from kids Community blog: Fire Safety Hiking Biking Faith Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Religion briefs Religion News: Presbyterian Church gives approval on same-sex marriage Milestones and Achievements Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Haga-Parks Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week The Brothers Reed celebrate new CD 'Sick as Folk' Live Music in Local Clubs Britt Festivals line-up kicks off June 6 Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Theater Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Review: From past into present in OSF's 'Long Day's Journey' ‘A Dream of Red Pavilions’ at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Music The Brothers Reed celebrate new CD 'Sick as Folk' Britt Festivals line-up kicks off June 6 Rhythm is on tap at the Northwest Percussion Festival Gene Burnett tonight at Liquid Assets in Ashland The Farr Side: No Zayn Malik? One Direction stays the course Community Events Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Hip-Hop Poetry Open Mic at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival MailTribune.com rolls out new calendar Dining La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Standing Stone owners to open Medford brewpub and restaurant Restaurant Inspections: March 29 Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW Forest Grove spelling bee celebrates bilingual students ... Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit ... Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title ... Forest Grove spelling bee celebrates bilingual students ... Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit ... Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title ... COLLEGE BASEBALL Versatile Graham harbors pro aspirations Ducks' catcher also puts in time as a late-inning reliever Comment By Steve Mims Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Steve Mims Eugene Register-Guard Posted Apr. 9, 2015 at 8:50 PM Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 8:56 PM By Steve Mims Eugene Register-Guard Posted Apr. 9, 2015 at 8:50 PM Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 8:56 PM » Social News When Josh Graham had to choose between college and the pros, it wasn’t a baseball decision. Graham was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2012 major-league draft as a catcher by the Minnesota Twins, but that wasn’t tempting enough to derail his chance at making family history. “In my family, we haven’t had a Graham graduate from college yet, so that’s been a huge goal for me,” said Graham, a Roseburg High graduate. “I always take pride in that. It’s real important to me, so I decided to take this route instead.” Graham is less than one year away from accomplishing his goal of graduating from Oregon with a major in business. Before he gets his degree, the junior might once more have to choose between college and pro baseball, but his stock might be higher when the draft rolls around in June. In addition to his work behind the plate, Graham has also become a late-inning reliever and has a 1.96 ERA with one save in 11 appearances. “Whatever it takes to get to the big leagues is what I will go with and what I will focus on,” Graham said. Graham and the Ducks (19-15, 2-7 Pac-12) will host Oregon State (22-9, 5-4) in a three-game Pac-12 Conference series beginning at 7:30 p.m. today at PK Park. Graham’s family backed Oregon State in the Civil War when his uncle, Jamie Burke, played there before going on to play catcher in the majors from 2001-10. “I wouldn’t say he’s the reason why I’m a catcher, but seeing him and getting all that knowledge from him is when it slowly started clicking,” Graham said of Burke, the brother of Graham’s mother, Gina, and also a Roseburg graduate. “The more and more I caught, the more and more I fell in love with it.” The current Duck can still count on the ex-Beaver for advice. “Growing up, I would work out with him, especially when he was getting ready to go into spring training and I went and hung out with him on his Single-A team,” Graham said. “I saw his coaches and what minor league ball was all about. I can call him up or he’ll call me to see what’s going on, how I’m doing and ask if I need any help.” Graham was recruited by the Beavers before choosing the Ducks. “That was definitely an option out of high school, but I felt like these guys wanted me more,” Graham said. Graham is batting .250 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 14 games while splitting time at catcher with Shaun Chase and Tim Susnara and also serving as the designated hitter. In his first season as a pitcher for the Ducks, he is 1-0 with 24 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings. He and Stephen Nogosek have been setup men for closer Garrett Cleavinger. “We put more emphasis on the catching, knowing if it didn’t work out he could walk away and pitch,” Oregon coach George Horton said. “His pitching role became more significant for us and because of the situation where Chase and Susnara weren’t as consistent as we wanted at that position, all of a sudden he’s catching and pitching and hitting and leading and doing all kinds of great stuff for us.” That’s not unusual for Graham, who in high school would pitch the first game of a doubleheader and then play catcher in the second game. “It’s definitely more intense here than a seven-inning game against North Medford or Grants Pass, because now it’s Oregon State or USC,” Graham said. Being a two-way player has required extra work for Graham. “We have stations, so I go through hitting, and once it’s time for defense, whatever I will be doing during the weekend, I focus on that position,” he said. “If I get a chance to pitch or catch, I’ll probably focus on pitching, and if there’s time afterwards, I stay behind to do some catching. Or I come in early and do some catching and hitting.” Graham batted .147 his freshman year and .274 last year and expected to be primarily a hitter again this season, but his mid-90s fastball mixed with a change-up earned him a spot in the bullpen. “My main goal when I come in is not just to get a zero or strike some guys out, but more to get the momentum on our side,” he said. “I want to be that guy our offense can build off of and go into the next half inning with a lot of momentum on their side.” That selflessness is one reason Horton said Graham has grown into a larger role with the Ducks. “It has been an amazing transformation with him,” Horton said. “What a real man he’s become. He did not start out his career that way with some immature things he chose to do. He was being scrutinized a bit by the coaching staff in some areas, not getting specific, but boy, has he grown up to be a real man. He’s a great story.” It’s a story Graham plans to end by becoming the first in his family to hold up a college degree. He said that vision helped him change his attitude. “Over the years, I’ve been kind of slowly maturing, figuring out what’s important,” he said. “The most important thing to me is ‘What do I want people to see me as? What kind of man am I?’ With that, over the course of time, I figured out what was the most important thing and that’s when it clicked for me.” By Steve Mims Eugene Register-Guard MailTribune.com By Steve Mims Eugene Register-Guard Posted Apr. 9, 2015 at 8:50 PM Updated Apr 9, 2015 at 8:56 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. fantasy football Biggest Fantasy Winners, Losers in Free Agency Apr. 8, 2015 at 2:45 am Fantasy Football Outlook for Bears Stars Apr. 7, 2015 at 1:09 am RBs Ready to Break Out on New Teams Apr. 2, 2015 at 10:21 am Who Will Be QB1s with New Teams in 2015? 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