PHOENIX >> Mike Fetters knew once he retired from playing in 2004 that he wanted to remain close to the game.

So, the ‘Iolani School product’s first move after retiring was going to work for a sports agent in California to see if that might be a nice way to attain that goal. It was an interesting transition to say the least.

“I felt like it was high-priced babysitting,” said the 51-year-old Fetters, who is now a quality control coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. “You want to take everything off a player’s plate other than letting them playing baseball. You’re like a concierge for these guys.”

Basically, his responsibilities didn’t align with what he envisioned a typical agent doing things like signing players and negotiating contracts, so it’s no surprise that experience made him a bit disillusioned about that side of the game.

“It was OK. I didn’t get to do everything I wanted to do as an agent, I didn’t really represent guys, I basically recruited,” Fetters said. “The only contract I was able to help negotiate was a Hall of Famer, Rickey Henderson’s independent ball contract after his career (was over.) Your job is to take players from other people, which in my mind in itself is not real ethical. You’re stealing for your own benefit, but that’s how it works.”

After five years as an agent, he worked a pitching/throwing coordinator at a sports rehab facility in the Phoenix area, which led to radio and TV work for the Diamondbacks. Fetters then served as special assistant to now-former Arizona general manager Kevin Towers and is now in his fourth season working for the D-Backs as a quality control coach.

“I like what I’m doing right now. I’m working with the best of the best. I get to learn from these guys, too,” Fetters said. “In this game, you’ve never seen it all and you’ve never learned it all. Being around Zack Greinke, I’m enamored by this guy because I sit down and watch how he goes about his business. He’s professional, he’s well prepared and he knows what he’s doing. He doesn’t need a lot of help. Asking him questions makes me better if I do become a pitching coach someday.”

His current gig allows him to keep tabs on the current crop of big leaguers with ties to the Aloha State and Fetters, one of the early players from Hawaii to reach “the show,” likes what he sees.

“There’s always a lot of talent coming out of there,” Fetters said. “I think it’s a really good crop of guys. They’re doing all the right things and I’m proud of them for that. Anyone who comes from the islands, anyone who comes out of the University of Hawaii who I get to meet, get to work with, whatever, I feel close to. We’re always proud of those guys from the islands who are doing really well.”

Fetters felt similar pride during his own big league career that spanned 16 seasons and saw him pitch for eight different teams, including two separate stints in Arizona.

“It’s a pride thing. I’m awfully proud of being from there,” Fetters said. “I believe when I got to the big leagues, I was only like the 12th person ever with Hawaii ties who made it to the Major Leagues, and for me (being half-Samoan) it was quite an honor representing the Polynesians. And when I made it to the big leagues and took the field, I took them with me. I was representing that whole population. It was important to me.”

Stephen Hunt is a freelance writer based in Frisco, Texas.