"It’s not the Size of the Dog in the Fight, but the size of the Fight in the Dog,” though cliché, is a motto that has allowed me to develop into the person I am today. If it hadn’t been for the help I received all along the way I wouldn’t be where I am today. I would like to thank my family, coaches, friends and teammates that have been a part of my life and athletic career.
To the individuals who had the largest impact on my life and my career, my mother and father, thank you for all that you have done to help me grow and develop. I am thankful for all you have done for me throughout the years and the lessons that you have taught me.
Mom – I owe you the most thanks for getting me to and from athletic events throughout the years. You have always been there for me, whether it was to be my biggest fan or my biggest critic. Most parents would argue to play their child more but I remember when you came down in between periods in Fargo and yelled at the coach “If you put him on the ice again, I’m taking him HOME!” I can’t thank you enough for all you have done. I love you!
Dad – Thank you for introducing me to the sport I love and enjoy on a daily basis. You have one of the best work ethics I have ever seen and I hope to someday have the same qualities and work ethic that you possess. Thank you for all of your support both on and off the field throughout the years. Your lessons away from the sport have been as important to me as the ones at practices. You have dedicated your life to helping your family be successful and I am thankful for that. You are, and will continue to be, my hero.
Gram Cracker AKA Grandma – Thank you for everything you have done over the years; from babysitting me when I was young to taking me out to lunch and playing goalie in the basement or double plays in the backyard, you have always been there for me and supported me in all of my activities. You have taught me a lot of things about life that I will cherish forever. I can’t wait to go fishing with you this summer. Can you bait the hook and take off the fish still?
Andrea & Kelsey (sisters) – You two started out treating me like a cabbage patch doll dressing me up and putting bows in my hair, but those days are gone; I dare you to try that now. Both of you have been supportive in everything I’ve done always cheering me up after games win or lose. Andrea, thank you for all of the advice I’ve needed in writing papers…advice, who am I kidding, thank you for the papers. Kelsey I would have asked for advice with school but we all know how that would have turned out…thanks for all of the other advice you’ve given me throughout the years. I am thankful for all that you have both done and I look forward to hanging out with you and your spouse’s in the future.
SENIORS- To the seniors it has been a pleasure getting to know each and every one of you and having the honor of being able to play next to you as a Cardinal Baseball player. I have developed some great friendships with you guys and wish you the best of luck in future endeavors.
Rew – Roaming the outfield with you the past few seasons has been a blast, whether we were arguing the home plate umpires calls from 300 feet away or yelling “corn,” you always seem to make the experience great. You have a great future ahead of you and your dedication in the classroom and on 4th floor will allow you to succeed. I will always remember your Chara like rockets playing hockey at the 785, especially the one that went through the net. Thank you for not killing me over the last few years!
Ruf – Your uncanny ability to take photographs of pages and “feed” people knowledge is incredible. You are one of the most sincere well-rounded people I have met and became the big brother I never had, thank you! Living at the 785 was a great experience that I will cherish for the rest of my life. You have had my back and protected me from (Rocks) when needed. Thank you for everything you do and everything you are. I am grateful for the friendship that I have developed with you and hope to continue building it.
Scooter- Slammin Sammy, it has been a pleasure getting to know you since day one at fall ball when you managed to strike me out (big surprise) to the last day of fall ball (same result). Over the last few years there have been a lot of memories of hanging out with you, whether it was being painters together for Halloween to making sure we both got back to the 785 together (especially that raining morning at 4), you have always been there for me and I appreciate that. You are a great friend, avg. video game player, but an incredible person that will be successful in your future. Keep in touch and keep on teaching people how to Dougie.
Bogie – Hammer it has been great getting to know you since day one down here when we were playing catch on the soccer field. Thanks for being a great friend and teammate. This summer we will be able to pull off some sick double plays and showcase our infield skills.
O’Dell –You have one of the hardest work ethics of anyone I’ve ever played with. You are a prime example that “it isn’t the size of the dog in the fight, but the fight in the dog.” Day in and day out you managed to stay positive no matter what the situation and I appreciate that. Thank you for having my back and letting me stay at your place…sometimes sketchy though.
Gary- Thank you for introducing me to some of the weirdest videos and songs ever created. I now have a whole different view on chocolate cake thanks to rooming with you in Arizona. You are always cheerful and find a way to lighten the mood. Thanks for being a great teammate and friend over the last few seasons.
Timmons - Slim Timmons, it was great getting to know you over the past seasons. You are one of the hardest working people I have met in the work world and this will create great opportunities in the future. Your uncanny ability to eat pizza and chips before practice is unreal, and I am envious. Now is the Time!
Underclassman – It has been a pleasure to play with each of you over this past season. You have made this one of the better teams I have been a part of while here at Saint Mary’s. Keep working hard and continuing to transform this program from a team that opponents love to play into a team that opponents fear to play.
775 – Cody, Curt, and Krause, three guys I wouldn’t want to mix it up with…again…It was a great experience living next to you this year. You three have been great neighbors and teammates over the past few seasons. Cody keep working hard and having fun, you have great skill and leadership attributes. Curt I am sorry that I couldn’t save/find your fish, but have you seen my phone? Krause thanks for taking me under your wing when I was a freshman and helping me become a better person and athlete, and teaching me your trademark curl work
out.
Getting to know the Gilmore Girls (Mike, Servy, Teddy (Pokey), & Krone) has been a blast, you four have a friendship that will only help improve the team aspect in the next two seasons. Just make sure you keep an eye on John Tessmer otherwise he likes to have heart to hearts at the counter. Keep working hard for good things will happen. Biagini if you ever need anything looked at make sure you show up with your fur coat and have Bill look at it. Vinny Lu it was fun playing with you and wearing our high-school gear and living the glory days. Danny make sure you make a checklist for everything you need, for next year I will not be around to lend you belts, cups, hats, gloves. You have some sick hand wherever you are playing in the infield and have great potential. Nord & Debruin that high five needs some work, but your creativity is great! To those who played “chel” or talked about MN hockey all of the time (Lars, Schlemmer, Thelemann) you are great teammates and ball players and it was fun getting to know all of you. Remember to smile you big Tree and Lars, Easy Mac Never gets old. Eddy it was a pleasure getting to know you and even more of a pleasure to share buckets of ice cream together. I can’t wait till we are working with each other in a few years. Felix (Hendo) you are one of the best team players that I have ever played with. You are always supportive and pushed me to become a better individual and athlete. Your willingness to listen and learn will allow you to become very successful in the future. I’m sorry for the awful nickname. Merk I’ve never seen anyone want to get so many foul balls, or wear their sunglasses inside so much. Ross it was great seeing you toe the rubber. For once not dicing against me. Scotty to Hottie you are one hell of a teammate, always positive, seeing the positives in everything you do. This team wouldn’t have been the same without you.
Last, but certainly not least, just like the last pop-tart in the box, which Paul ate, are the roommates who somehow didn’t kill each other. Paul & Krieger, you two remind me of Grumpy Ol’ Men and both have so much potential. Paul it was great playing with you and your love for the game is evident. Kriegs it was great announcing the starting lineup for the trainers and then proceeding to sing the national anthem with you on a daily basis.
Coaches – Winecke, thank you for all of your time and effort dedicated to this program, including the 4 a.m. trip to Urgy Care. Your passion for the game is evident and you will begin to see results soon. Jacobsen thanks for keeping me off of the lump, you obviously knew what was best for the program. Good luck with your wedding with the Hamline trainer. Ogden thanks for all of your time and effort dedicated to the program. Whaley thank you for the opportunity to play college baseball, and getting me down to Saint Mary’s University.
Alumni – Fersch, Swens Robert ‘Brother’ Johnson, B, KR, Kruse, Ding, Farch, Dave, Fatty and many others, thank you for helping me grow and develop as an individual and athlete. You guys motivated me to keep improving and working hard. Thanks! Fersch thanks for helping me hit my first tator on the MAX! Swenny thanks for showing me your fireman carry! TK thanks for creating the Winona Step.
Thank you for everyone else that had an impact on my career here at SMU both as a student and as an athlete. Remember that baseball is not a right, so don’t take it for granted, for one day it will be over.
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