First-year manager Grudzielanek leading Kane County Cougars to the top

Mark Grudzielanek wasn't entirely sure what he should be doing.

As the Kane County Cougars took the field for warm-ups before their season opener last April, Grudzielanek was doing something he hadn't done before - managing.

"It was very strange, a little awkward, like, 'What do I need to be doing?'" the first-year manager of the Cougars said.

That's because the former 15-year major leaguer had always known exactly what his pregame routine was.

"I'm used to running around and doing all this and throwing and catching and getting my work in," said Grudzielanek, who played for six MLB teams, including the Cubs in 2003-2004. He retired after the 2010 season.

That experience, though, has helped Grudzielanek lead the Cougars, a Diamondbacks affiliate, to a 20-3 record through Saturday in the second half of the Class-A Midwest League.

Taking knowledge from previous managers, while also finding his own methods, has helped Grudzielanek find a rhythm.

"Certain things stick out from everybody. Some were runners, some didn't, some brought closers in this situation, others did not," Grudzielanek said. "I'm getting a feel for all that stuff being on this side of the fence. It's interesting.

"It's just certain things, until you experience it on this side, on the coaching and managerial side of it, is kind of when you feel it out a little more."

One of the challenges Grudzielanek faces is the revolving door of players. So far this season, the Cougars have had 48 players take the field for them.

But to the players, having a stabilizing force like Grudzielanek keeps the team moving forward.

"He's so even-keeled with whatever the situation may be, whatever the scenario is," Cougars infielder Cody Regis said. "He's just been really good in helping the team maintain that level."

Grudzielanek keeps his cool in all situations - even those involving difficult conversations, like when a player is demoted or cut.

"The demotion is kind of tough and the release is really hard," Grudzielanek said. "It's not a situation where it's my decision. I'm just informing them of that. That's tough, though. That's really hard, taking away a uniform."

But Grudzielanek's background gives players the confidence to be able to trust those decisions.

"Grud, he's an awesome manager. Absolutely a blast to play for him and just the knowledge that he has of the game, you don't really find that in a lot of managers," Regis said. "Everything that he talks about, you know that he's been in the same situations and that helps drive home that point so much more."

Being removed from the game allows Grudzielanek to convey his experiences with confidence.

"I kind of understand what they're going through and what they've done," Grudzielanek said. "I mean, I experienced pretty much every path they're going to experience, so it is something where I hope - whether or not they take certain things from you - I hope they take the ones that can lead them forward and get better each and every season they come out here and play."

And Grudzielanek heeds his own advice. He knows what to do before games.

"Now it's just a process of analyzing, relating to the kids. The communication part is really big," Grudzielanek said. "It's a lot of fun to relay the knowledge and watch them learn and take it in and get better and better."