By R. Vincent Tupaz
For Variety

THE island’s first homegrown Major League ballplayer was optioned to the Minors over the weekend.
Guam’s John Hattig Jr., a third baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays, was moved to the Jay’s Triple A affiliate, in the minor leagues, the Syracuse Skychiefs.
Seven months ago, on August 16, 2006, Hattig made history and became a hometown hero when he was promoted up from the Chiefs, to the Blue Jays active roster - becoming the first player from Guam to play with a Major League Baseball Franchise.
The most recent move by the Blue Jays comes just weeks after the franchise signed Hattig to a one-year commitment. Still, Hattig remains on the Jays roster. Hattig was not alone in the switch as teammates Ty Taubenheim, Adam Lind, Ron Cosby and Russ Adams were also moved.
Hattig was on island during the MLB break from last October through February. He returned to the Jays organization in mid-February for Spring camp and participated in a couple of exhibition games before the weekend move.
In an earlier interview with Variety, Hattig noted that though he was in the Majors, the possibility that he or any MLB player would be placed in the minors was constant.
Hattig stated in that interview, “There were several lessons I learned in the minors that have helped me stay focused, first, “’one thing that you do know is you never know!’” and second, ‘” baseball doesn’t owe you a damn thing.”
The Toronto Blue Jays franchise is in the Eastern Division of the American League of America’s Major League Baseball. For box