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Hello Columbus Sports Fans!

This article is unfortunately not coming from warm and sunny Lakeland, Florida, but from cold and rainy Columbus, Ohio. I seem to have found myself right in the midst of the gloomy economy. I was released from the Detroit Tigers organization right as Spring Training was concluding and rosters were being set. Without any explanation the Tigers sent me on my way, wishing me the best.

Farewell to Tigertown - Now it’s officially a reality for me that baseball isn’t the same game that I played as a little kid. This is now a business. In the Tigers’ organization I experienced one season where I put up a 1.95 ERA. I felt great coming into Spring Training with a full off-season to rest my arm. During Spring Training I worked with the minor league pitching coordinator just about everyday tinkering with my mechanics. I felt that I was getting plenty of work and the organization was excited to see me throw this year. Then I was blindsided. The day before all the rosters were set I was called into the minor league coordinator’s office and told that the Tiger’s organization no longer needed me. A complete 180º was thrown at me, my stomach sunk to the floor, and I sat at my locker speechless.

Down, But Not Out - That was that for my short-lived, ten month tenure with the Detroit Tigers. After riding on such high expectations for this year, I was dealt a very humbling experience and new it would be difficult to pick myself up, and move on. I respectfully thanked the Tigers' coaches and managers for the opportunity, packed up my things, and walked out of the Tigers’ clubhouse for the last time. As I walked out it ironically started to downpour for the first time since I had been in Florida. I took a slow walk back to my dorm room in the rain, wondering what would be next for me. I sat for a few hours in the 2^nd floor lounge of our dorm, waiting to say goodbye to some of my teammates. I then gathered all my belongings, packed up my car, turned on the radio, and drove out of Lakeland coincidentally listening to “Here Comes Goodbye” by Rascal Flatts. 

In the mean time I have signed an independent baseball league contract with the Winnipeg Goldeyes in the Northern League. Even though I will be stationed in Canada all summer, all of the teams we play are in the US. This league will hopefully propel me into another MLB organization where I could be given another chance to make big leagues.

Buckeyes in the Minors – In the off-season there are plenty of former Ohio State baseball players in the minor leagues that come back to workout in Woody Hayes along side the team. In later articles I will post some stats and give insight to how these players are doing. Here is a brief list of some of the players:

Matt Angle – Baltimore Orioles (High A- Frederick Keys)

Ronnie Bourquin – Detroit Tigers (Low A- Grand Rapids Whitecaps)

Doug Deeds – Chicago Cubs (Triple A- Iowa Cubs)

Eric Fryer – New York Yankees (High A- Tampa Yankees)

Cory Luebke – San Diego Padres (High A- Lake Elsinore Storm)

Josh Newman – Kansas City Royals (Triple A- Omaha Royals)

J.B. Shuck – Houston Astros (High A- Lancaster JetHawks)

Jedidiah Stephen – Baltimore Orioles (Low A- Delmarva Shorebirds)

Thanks to all of the people that have supported me through my transition. This weekend I will be traveling with the Ohio State Baseball Team to Purdue for a three-game series with the Boilermakers. I will be the color-man for all three games on WTDA 103.9 FM, so feel free to listen and comment.

Thanks for reading!

Tags: detroit tigers, ohio state baseball, winnipeg goldeyes