Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

Well, playing baseball here at The Mary’s has been a long journey but, a journey that I wish could never end.  I wish that I could wear the red and white of the cardinals forever, but unfortunately all good things come to an end and this was a great thing.  I’ve done a lot of thinking over the year about what I would say at this very moment and it hard to put this experience into words, so take this salute as a extremely watered down version of some of the greatest years I’ve very had and probably ever will have, because words simply cant explain my time here.   I hate cliché statements and I especially hate long lame corny speeches, but now I know just why all those coaches (coach Winecke, just joking) and public figures always resort to them; its because they help to tell just how your feeling, and I’m fearing that I might be a hypocrite and join the duster club of cliché users.  Many have said this but I’m going to go ahead and say it anyways, I can’t believe how fast my time here has gone and I can’t believe its over; however, I can safely say that I have lived it to the fullest, learned a lot (even in the classroom) and made some of the greatest memories with some of the greatest people in the world, in I havent regretted on bit of it.
   
I can remember arriving here as a freshman, I was a nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rockin’ chairs (Arch).  I remember I went over to my next-door neighbors, and now good friend David Dahlstrom’s, room and we both went out to captains practice together and we had no idea what to expect, but when we got there we were welcomed as if we were Seniors coming back for one last Ho-Rah.  The way all the guys made us feel right at home is a something I cant thank those guys enough for, and I feel that is a very common thing around our clubhouse; we are a very close nit group of ball players and most importantly a close group of friends.  Fall ball for me has almost been as fun as the season because we get to go out there and play ball and BS with our closest friend.  They have all blended in together, but I’ve loved them all; they have gone from who I thought was Thug-Raw (Kruse) in the baggy jumpman shorts with rocks in his ears tearing it up my freshman year to Lechner “Getting Heavy” off the great Brett Fershweiler, who was the “secret weapon” brought off the shelf for the championship game in the Red/White showdown (I had to Fersh).  All I can say is, it has been a crazy and extremely enjoyable ride these last four years and I could not have done it without some of the greatest people I’ve ever meet.  The relationships I’ve made will never be forgotten, and that’s the most important thing I can bring away from the Mary’s (don’t worry Mom and Dad, I think the degree is OK, too).
   
As I said before, and I know I might be getting redundant, but I have made some of the best friends a person could ever make, and I feel as though I’m the luckiest man in the world to have met each and everyone of you; the impact that you all have made on me will never be forgotten and is invaluable to me, thanks.  I would also like to say that I love and will miss each and everyone of you, and I know that you returning guys will bring SMU baseball back to its true form, which is sitting at the top of the MIAC.  I consider you guy part of my family and I mean this from the bottom of my heart when I say this, if any of you guy ever get in a pinch or ever need me, for any reason big or small, don’t hesitate to call me, ill be there for all of you, truly.  All right, enough of the corny gushy stuff, I promise.

First and certainly foremost, I would like to thank my patents but I don’t know if I can even express that in words, but here it goes.  You guys have been the most unbelievable parents a guy could ask for, your love and support has been the driving force behind me throughout my life.  You’re your unshakable support and confidence in me to archive anything I put my mind to has truly been the most significant contributor to my success in all facets of life, and for that I cant thank you guys enough.  I love you guys and thank you for supporting me in all things, whether it be in baseball, in coming to all the games, or in any other thing that I’m involved with, no matter what it is, for that that thank you.  I would like to thank you both for everything.
   
Dad, thanks for teaching me everything every thing I know, whether it be sports, fishing, hunting but most importantly how to be the best person I can be in all aspects of life you have truly been a great role model.
   
Mom, you have always been there for me with you love and support, through thick and thin, and I couldn’t have made it without you.  With all that you have done for me I don’t think that there is an IOU big enough to cover that bill, thanks and I love you.
   
Abby, you have been a great older sister and one that has always been someone fun to hang with.  You have been a great example of an older sibling and I thank you for that, as well as always giving sound advice and supporting me through the years.
   
Jeff, you have been a great twin brother and I wouldn’t trade you for anyone in the world.  Thank you for your support, and the games you came to, even though you did cheer for Augsburg when you came to our game my junior year, I think that was more just to “frost my cookies” than it was that you were actually cheering on your school, we will see through a session of brutal interrogation.  Thanks for putting up with me and my shenanigans for all these years; you are a saint for that.
    
Coach Winecke, I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to play in this program, and be apart of the cardinal baseball family, it has been an experience that I will cherish and remember for the rest of my life.  I have know you, coach, for a while now I’m good friends with your cousins so I knew you in high school through them, I played a year on the same team as you and I’ve had the privilege to be coached by you for three years, one as and assistant and the other two as a head coach.  With that being said I have never know anyone that is more competitive than you, and I feel that you chose the right line of work to channel your competitiveness; so you can display it on the field and not have to beat everyone up the stairs at an office job…. that would surly result in some office tension.  But seriously, I feel that your competitiveness, obsession with winning and your passion for the game will surly fuel you in your mission to bring SMU back up to its spot as a premier program in the MIAC.  You are taking this program in the right direction.  I was going to think of a quote that I could thank you with, since you have come up with countless quotes for me, over half of which are not cited and I think you made up, but are nonetheless inspirational, but I couldn’t think of any, but I would like to say thanks and keep the enthusiasm and passion you bring to this program.  Fear the TOWNSHIP and get ready!!!
   
Coach Jake, I only wish that you weren’t the pitching coach, even though you have done a tremendous job, only because then you could be around the position players more often.  The only thing I’m mad about was that you were not our coach for four year…I feel that I have missed out on what could have been.  With saying that I know your will have the team ERA around the same number as Willy’s GPA so shoot for 2.25 or lower and you will be right on it; and the Mary’s will be carving up the MIAC in no time.  Coach you passion and enthusiasm for the game is obvious and unbelievable.  You straight up love the game and everything that comes with it: players/Coaches with sick  style, Manny style baggy pants, oversized logos, tar-caked helmets, shades on top of the cap, nibbling on the outside corner, busting guys in, dugout antics, a well groomed field, nestling, southern style hats, Phitens and the list goes on.  Coach you bring a presence that is extremely contagious that makes everyone want to play baseball and that is an unbelievable quality to have.  The best thing I can say about you, as a coach is that you all business, when its time to do work, but as soon as its time to have fun and be loose, you are all about having a good time, and for that thank you. You bring a sense of calm to our clubhouse and it is much needed, thanks and best of luck.

P.S.- coach Jake … Get out of here
  
Coach Schmidt, I have only had you for a coach for one year, but this year you have been a great coach, and not just a good “Player Coach”.  You worked hard with the catchers and you can see the strides they have made due to the individual attention you have given them.  But I mostly know you as a friend because I was your team mate for three years, and it is great to be around someone who likes to have fun and keep things loose while working hard and staying focused on the goal. Thanks Schmidt.
   
Thanks to all the guys on the team, you guys have made my time here a great one:
   
I would like to say thanks to the players that came before that made my time great. Thanks for making me fell welcome and accepted right off the bat (Pun intended), it has been great.
   
Kruse, you have been a great friend right from the get go and I cant thank you enough for including me and the other youngster in everything as freshman.  You have always had the utmost confidence in me and have always had my back.  We have had some great times together, whether it be you telling me to WAIT!!, Omaha, getting milkshakes thrown at us in Iowa, WE HATE IOWA, co-owners to twins seasons tickets or fishing for Muskies with bait, thanks Confessor Kruse.  Fersh, ever since freshman year you have been on of my best friends and we have had more good time together than can be counted.  Whether it be waking up at the crack of dawn to sit out in a tree to not see deer or just hanging out you are for sure on of the most fun people to be around; you are also an extremely loyal friend and for that thanks Brett.  Joey, you have been one of my closest friends through out high school and college, there truly is never a dull moment with you around (unless its early in the AM) and you are always up for a good time.  You are also one of the hardest workers I have ever played a sport with, which helped to motivated me to work hard as well, thanks for being such a good friend Jo’Dell.  Ding, thanks for being such a good friend throughout these four years, and thank you for always keeping things chill.  I have never seen a person more content with everything before in my life.  We may have to have a joint barrel for our fallen electronics, STAY AWAY FROM BRAXTON.  Krause, These last four years have been great, your passion for tinkering on the Mac will take you far; also you just got recognized for giving up the furthest home run (Kirby Carr) in baseball history in the 2010 edition of the Guiness Book of World Records … so you got that going for you.  David, thanks for being a great first friend at school, keep pointing at home run balls at Carlton they might come back in, David did that one problem give you trouble on the accounting test?  Arch, I’m sure glad you transferred into SMU so we could become good friends over the years, one of these days we will have to have a walleye chopper together.  We have had some great times together, the fact that we have been able to be friends even though you are incapable of putting away your condiments is noting short of amazing. … Hey how was your Halloween? Mine was great.  Kyle, always the best guy to talk sports with, unfortunately most of it gets turned into stories that reminisce about the Pioneer glory days … when were those again? … Fear the Township!  Bogs, there has been countless good times that I’ve had with you and I hope for there to be many more — we HATE Iowa and peas. Remember that team moral is the most important thing … just ask Check, maybe I’ll come down next year and use the community facilities … Big Rig you are officially suspended from playing in Duluth, but no worries, so am I.  Rudy, you are great friend and quality human being, you are having a great year this year and I’m very excited to see what’s going to happen next year. Jake, you’re a great player and a very fierce competitor and after I got to know you more, you are a man that has a wise crack for all occasions. Thanks for making my time here at SMU a memorable one.  Gary, you are truly one of a kind and a great friend.  “Today on the hunt we were largely unsuccessful …” You’re a clown, but a funny one … let me know if you want to loudly discuss baseball … . Sammy, you’re the man, always up for a good time and one of the most mild-mannered kids (other than Mikey F) I know —  thanks for the great memories.  Ruf Daddy, one of the most underrated funny people I know, Mr. Johnson doesn’t like the curveball … here have another.  “Sometimes”.  Ruf, keep throwing hard and carving up batters with the Ruffy McSauce.  Jack-John, you are a real fun person to be around and a great teammate that brings a ton of enthusiasm, and if the mood strikes me to have an intellectual conversation, I’ll always go to you.  Casey, always a joy to hear out of the corner of the dugout “he’s got to pause.” Hey, keep hassling the umps and interrupting me in the library.  Max, fear the beard! Max, you are such a valuable part of this team and one of the most willing persons to work. That’s a great quality and it will help you down the line, I see all the hours you put in and it wont get unnoticed.  Curt, keep swinging Manny or are you big pappy? I’m sure you will find that pesky vole or field mouse, when you do, you should give it to Schmidt.  Danny G, even though you are from Chicago you are a great guy and a great friend who I enjoy spending time with. You are always up for a good time — hey, keep that seven-foot friend of yours in check will ya.  Timmons, now is the time tweez … keep throwing hard. Cody, hey recover from that injury and you will surly do great things at the Mary’s, aaAARHC, eah fellas fellas, and good ol’ Swenchenz … you’re too much man, expect a mid-summer call for some hitting advice.  Kamp, Team Howell, you are the ideal baseball player!  Hey, keep working on your stuff, I see the next power pitcher in the MIAC in you. You are such a good salesman, you could sell water softener salt to a man dying of thirst in the desert. Tessy, you were the best catch partner a person could ask for, until you and your appendics betrayed me … I’ll forgive you, but it will take time.  Vince, you’re the MAN, let’s just leave it at that.  Teddy, your selfish if you don’t throw that knuckle ball in from right field.  Kyle, I’m going to come down next year and I want Caddyshack to be fully memorized, I’ll be judge and you be Carl. Mikey, you truly are the nicest and most mild manners individual I have ever met don’t change.  Payne, keep working hard and giving it your all bud.  Justin and Nord, the 10’ lefties keep throwing and deceiving lefty batters like myself. Thanks guys, hope I didn’t forget anyone.