Saint Mary's University of Minnesota Athletics

I can’t believe that my four years at Saint Mary’s is coming to an end and it is time to write my senior salute. It feels like just yesterday that it was move in day at Ed’s and now we are getting ready for graduation, just doesn’t seem right. Playing college baseball was always a dream of mine and I am glad that I was able to fulfill that dream, but there was more then just baseball while being at Saint Mary’s. The countless people that I have met during my time here is something that I will never forget and the relationships that will last a long long time. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to attend Saint Mary’s and play baseball for this team.
    
I wouldn’t be in this position if it weren’t for my family, so first and foremost I would like to thank my parents for everything that they have done for me. I can’t say thank enough for putting me in a position to be successful, not just in baseball but also in life. You always supported me in whatever it was and always pushed me to be the best that I could be. Dad, thank you for the countless trips that you have taken to come watch me pitch and watch the team play. I get my love for the game through you, from as long as I can remember I would always want to play sports with you, watch sports, and I know that I can always call you after games to talk about how they went if you weren’t able to be there. I cant thank you enough for sharing your passion with me and showing me what can come from athletics. Mom, thank you for all of your support as well it for sure doesn’t go unnoticed. I have seen the drive and motivation that you give on an everyday basis when it comes to anything from your career to taking care of us. That is something that I have tried to exemplify within myself. You have pushed me to become a better person in every aspect and I cant thank you enough for that. I could never ask for two better people to have as my role models, I love you guys and I will never be able to say thank you enough for all that you have done for me.
    
To my brother D, thank you for supporting me and always wanting the best for me. You are someone that I can for sure attribute my competitive nature to, from the first time that you started playing sports with me, whatever it may have been, there was no way that I was going to let you beat me and still will never beat me. I am really glad that I had the opportunity to coach you this past summer and see you grow as a baseball player and a person. I am looking forward to seeing you to continue to grow as a person over your next 3 years in college. You know that you can always count on me for whatever you need. Love you and thank you for everything so far.
    
I also need to thank my grandparents, there would be no way that I would be where I am at in life if it wasn’t for you guys. The countless trips that you guys have taken over the years to watch me play is something that I can’t thank you enough for. I knew that I could always count on you seeing you guys in the stands, and if you weren’t able to attend the game you would follow it online and I knew that I would be getting a message after the game with what you guys thought. Thank you Grandpa and Grandma Weis, and Grandma Johnson!
    
Girls of 214: Tay, Kelli, Emily, and Jordan. These past 4 definitely wouldn’t have been the best 4 years if it weren’t for you guys! All the memoires that we have been able to make have been unbelievable, and I can’t wait to see what other memories we are able to make after graduation.
    
I would also like to thank all of my former coaches for helping me get to the point that I am at today, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without all of your guys help over the years. As well as all of my former teammates over my 4 years at Saint Mary’s, you guys helped me along the way in more ways that you know. Serv, Nord, Teddy, Krone, Vinny Lu, Tessy, Mikey, Gannon, Thele, Krieger, Pauly, Merky, Wolfe, Regan, Drew, Schlemmer, and Krysiak, Thank You guys for everything!
    
Big Beezy and Merkle, I especially want to thank you guys for everything that you guys did for me while you were here. Bar, it was great having you as a “roommate” last year. We had so many great memories last year, and I am happy that we still have our weekly conversations about sports book and fan duel, I really think we are due to win big. I can’t wait to get a golf membership at a nice course after we start making money, hopefully we can get jobs. Then all we have to do is teach Thele how to golf again and we will be good. Big Merk, I definitely wouldn’t have a torn labrum if it weren’t for you wanting to go pole to pole during long toss every day…. Thank you for being a great leader and someone that I was able to look up to while you were here. Any day now I would love to see half of my clothes that you stole last year. This year for sure wasn’t the same without you guys.  
    
Coach Winecke, first and foremost I have to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be apart of Saint Mary’s Baseball and wear the uniform. These past 4 years have been the best years and I would have to say that you helped attribute to that. I could always count on you to push me to be a great player, but an even better person and I have to thank you for that. You have put this program in a successful position and that wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for your passion for the game of baseball. Thank you for everything that you have done for Saint Mary’s Baseball. I look forward to watching the program grow and see just how successful the team can be.  
    
TJ, I can’t believe I was only able to get one year with you being my coach, but it sure was a great year with you here. From the first day I met you, I knew that your passion for the game was something that was going to be greatly appreciated by this team. As well as your knowledge for the game of baseball and the way that you were able to pass it on to us, and help us become better players and better people. Your willingness to put others before you is something that I wish I was able to do to the extent that you are. The countless times that I came up to your office and just hungout is something that I will never forget, hopefully next year there will be some better games on ESPN Classic to help the time go by a little faster during the day. When it comes to baseball, the thing I have to say thank you for the most is you wanted me to succeed just as bad as I wanted myself to succeed. Even when things weren’t going my way, I knew that I could always count on you to be there to give a sense a motivation to keep pushing and striding to be great. I also want to thank you for giving us the opportunity to meet your father; he is someone that you would always talk to the pitchers about and where you ultimately get your motivation. He is someone that I greatly respect and am pleased that I had the opportunity to meet. All the things that you have taught me over this short year are things that I am going to take with me and use in the future. I don’t know what you are going to do without having Steph and I there to joke around with and talk baseball. I know this program is in great hands with you here and I look forward to seeing all of the success that will come from this program with your help. I can’t wait to see all of the great things that you are going to be able to accomplish over the years to come. Best of luck running the hockey games next year, hopefully you can find an assistant to help you out like I did, I heard that Eli was interested.  I could go on and on but I should probably move on to some other people, Thank you for everything, TJ, you have no idea how much I appreciate everything you have done. Keep the PU going.
    
Krone, THE SLAM DUNK CHAMPION! Even though I wasn’t able to witness the greatest moment in sports history, I can imagine the excitement that was present in the Florida Buffalo Wild Wings. I have heard rumors that Dixon wants a rematch, and says he’s ready to take the title. Krone I know I always give you a hard time, but it’s always out of fun and I can’t express how important you were to me during my time here. You were someone that helped me my freshman season and someone that I looked up to and have continued to look up to over the past 4 years. This program wouldn’t be in the place that it is if it wasn’t for all of your dedication and hard work, you may not think so but it definitely doesn’t go unnoticed by all of us. You have helped the pitchers grow as a group and reach our fullest potential. We all love when you are the one that is hitting us comebackers and that day, especially when you yell OH LINER! Krone thank you for everything that you have done for this program and will continue to be a very important person for many years to come.
    
Coach Whaley, your knowledge for the game of baseball is unbelievable and has been such an important factor when it comes to this programs success. I would also like to say that I am very impressed that you were able to put up with Whitey over these past 4 years, I don’t know how you did it coach! Thank you for all that you have done for this program.
    
Coach Jake, Saint Mary’s definitely isn’t the same without you. I would like to thank you for the 3 years that I had the opportunity to play for you, and the countless things that I was able to learn from you over those 3 years. You were someone that was always available to help us with whatever it may have been, and we all appreciate that from you. It is always great when you have the chance to come back to Saint Mary’s, and even though it may only be for a short period of time on that day there is never a time where I don’t want to come catch up even if its only for a few minutes. I appreciate everything that you did for me while you were here, and I wish for the best for you in the future.  

Coach Sager, I would like to thank you for all that you have done for the team and university over your short 2 years here. You pushing us to be our best is greatly appreciated by all of us.
    
Jill, thank you for everything that you have done for me over the past four years! Making sure that my body was still in one piece couldn’t have been the easiest task. Keep all of the boys in line for me when I’m gone. Thank you Jill!
    
Seniors:
Whitey, well where in the world do I even start… From the first day that I met you and you asked to have a sleepover before I even knew that your real name wasn’t Whitey. You decided that it would be a great idea to eat all of my Halloween candy and then an even better idea to eat cat poop in the morning. Then we moved into Ed’s together and you have been my roommate ever since. After day one, I think everyone at this school knew who the Osseo boys were because of the fact that you introduced yourself to everyone that you saw on campus. “Why do they call you Whitey?” “Cuz of my hair!” Thank you for putting up with all of our crap over the past four years, at the end of the day its all for fun! Don’t know why we ever thought it was a good idea to move our beds to the middle of the room, but it did make a lot of room for activities. For some reason I still don’t understand why I always had to be on the top bunk either, I just don’t think that’s fair Ler. Its not going to be right not having you as a roommate next year, its just not going to be the same. All of the memories that we have made in high school and then at SMU are ones that I will never forget. Now its time to get the pontoon ready for the summer! Probably could’ve wrote a few more pages, but I don’t think they would appreciate that to much. Thanks for being the best roommate and best friend that anyone could ask for, Love you White.
    
Dawson, Cakes Awesome Baby! Even though I almost killed you freshman year when we were playing football, you still chose to be one of my best friends over the past four years and I cant thank you enough for that. By the way, we completed that pass! Your work ethic is something that everyone, not just the PU has been grateful for and you have made everyone around you better. Even though Whitey would get upset with all of the stuff we would do, those were the best times at Saint Mary's. I’m really glad we were able to get you move out of your single in Hefferon and move to Joes sophomore year. I will never forget all of the good times that we have been able to have and am even more excited to see all of the ones that we are going to make in the future. If you are staying at your cabin this summer, make sure you got room up there for us because we will be there! Thanks for everything Daws.
    
Fejt, Fetty Wap thank you for deciding to come to SMU last year, it was for sure the best decision that you have ever made. I don’t know if we all would’ve been able to make it if you were here freshman year, we needed time to prepare. Tyler might not be as happy about you living with us, but it was an unreal year and I couldn’t have asked for a better person to come live with the boys. We always knew how we could get Whitey going, I’m expecting you to come visit once a year so we can keep hiding Whiteys bed. In all of my years playing baseball, I’ve never seen a pitcher play shortstop as well as you do. The Kid could just make plays! All of the memories that we were able to make in two short years was unreal. I have to thank your dad, George, the legend of all legends. His support for all us was greatly appreciated over the past two years. Hold down SMU for all of us, we will be back to visit you soon enough. Thanks for everything Fejt.
    
Steph, Steve you made SMU one funny place. I’m for sure going to miss all the sleepovers once we are gone; I don’t know how you are still alive after sleeping on the human torcher bed all year. All of the dumb stuff that we have done over the past years I will never forget. The dodge ball fights with the lights off in the locker room with Big Bar and Merkle is something that I wish we could do one more time. The nights on sports book where we thought Bar was going to kill us, to singing to the computer hoping for good luck… The night we went to the night that we went to the casino might be one of our worst/best ideas ever. If there was a PGA tour league where you only played with a partner, I think we would’ve gone pro a few years ago. I am looking forward to moving into our mansion with you, Bar, and me in a few years and having the best maid in the country. If you get bored living in Chicago, know that my brothers bed is always wide open for you, he will have no problem giving it up for you. Thanks for everything Steph.
    
Ricky, Richie I’m going to need tickets to the masters once you are the main announcer for the PGA Tour. I am glad to see that you were able to learn a few things about being a manager from Scotty. I’m pretty disappointed that you aren’t going to be able to come to the golf tournament with all the boys with us this summer. Get that swing ready, because Steph and I are getting kind of tired of beating you every round. Next time you come to Whiteys we will make sure you don’t fall asleep on the chair again like last time. Thanks for being the best manager in all of D3 baseball, even though you didn’t quite understand when to put the baseballs in the pitching machine.
    
Powers, Kung Pow Chicken I still haven’t found out how your brain is as big as it is, we all could’ve used a little bit of it especially Steve. I could always count on you to come to El Patron and some how always convince you to get a cereal bowl each time. When we come to Chicago to see you boys, ill make sure the Twins are playing the Sox so we can watch the Twins win a few games. When you own your casino in Vegas in a few years, don’t be afraid to throw us a few vouchers our way. We all appreciate how hard you work on an every day basis, and will go down in SMU baseball history with the best walk-ups ever.
    
Willie, Bill I couldn’t even tell you how many doubles that you saved me over the past four years. It has been so much fun having you and Cal with us at Saint Mary's. Don’t worry, when the Cubs are in the World Series this year we are all going to Wrigley to watch your boys win you a world series. Just so you know I for sure would’ve drafted you over Arrieta if I had the chance! Get ready for all of the memoires that we are going to make. You’re the man Billy.
    
Cale, Cal thank you letting me call you Cal even though for some reason you don’t think it’s your name. All of the great times over the past four years, starting with the video games in Benilde to hitting bombs in the New. It’s going to be even better now that you have joined all of the boys in Minnesota. Get ready for all of the good times ahead of all us. Even though nobody else on the team thought your homerun was real in Florida last year, I think it was an absolute bomb. Thanks Calvin.  
    
Kevin, Kev it was only right to put you in the senior section with all of us. I can’t ask for a nicer person that I am able to call my friend. I am really glad that you decided to transfer to SMU after first semester freshman year, even though you didn’t want to talk to me in accounting class I knew you were still a great guy. I wish they would’ve given you the opportunity to play your senior season with us this year, but having you still apart of the program was great too.
    
Rolain, Alec even though you like to come in our room and steal things… you are still a good guy (most of the time). I am glad all of you guys are able to realize that Wisconsin isn’t that great and you guys are coming to Minnesota this summer.
    
Peder, Jones you are the best teammates that I have ever had the opportunity to play with. We still haven’t figured how you can have such a positive and happy attitude on a day-to-day basis. I can speak for everyone on this team, there is nobody that we would love to see be more successful then you. Thank you for being a GREAT guy!
    
A.J., RED DOG! Some of the things you say it is impossible not to laugh. I will miss our daily hello the most: “Chef,” “J,” “Howdy.” I hope you don’t hate me to much after watching Duke beat Wisco in the championship, someone had to come in second….
    
Frosty, you have been a great person to have on the team over the past 4 years and have some of the best hands I have ever seen. Don’t worry, there is no way that you are going to go back-to-back in the golf tournament, I can promise you that. Don’t be afraid to make the trip to Minnesota more often.
    
Shawn, Shawny Mo, you are the funniest guy I have ever met. YUP YUP. I can’t wait to golf with you from here on out; I was really trying to draft you for the tournament this summer. Make sure Cedar is ready for us. Thank you for being such a great guy.
    
Ketchmark, I really appreciate all of the hard work that you put in for this program over the past 4 years. It was something that really helped all of us become better players.
    
Juniors and one old guy:
Bob, yeah I’m not quite sure how they call you a junior, but I guess they have to. I am not only glad that you chose to join the baseball team this year, but am happy that you transferred to Saint Mary’s last year. You were a great locker buddy this season, even though I almost broke our lockers…. Keep hitting bombs and scoring goals! Make sure you keep Mezzo and Porty in line for me next year, I know it wont be the easiest but you can do it. Thanks for being a great bus partner as well, could always count on you to eat all of the gummy worms.
    
Cherry, JACKAMO you are one strange kid but I love it! To this day I still don’t quite understand what goes through your head on a consistent basis. Hopefully you choose to come play for the Orioles this summer. And still want to hangout with us, hopefully this time Whitey wont throw you in the water with your Ray Bans, but at least he bought you new ones, right…. You and Burk will need to make sure you guys have some nice futons for when we all come to visit next year.  
    
Buerkle, Dale I can’t thank you enough for deciding to come to Saint Mary's rather then another school in the MIAC because I have no idea how we would’ve got you out. It is unbelievable how great of a player you have been and how much better you are getting. You have also been a great teammate and friend over the past few years. Try to teach Jack how to be normal next year.
    
Jacobs, I am glad you are starting to realize how good of a pitcher you are, even though it took you way to long to notice it. Continue to keep working hard and keep getting better every day. Be the leader of the PU next year like we all know you can.
    
Connor, I want to applaud you for somehow being able to survive this year living with Red Dog and Cherry, I don’t know how you did it. Keep working hard and being a great leader on the team.
    
Blake, your work ethic is one that people need to take note of, watching you grow over the past years, as a player has been really great to see. Keep up the hard work, your time will come next year.
    
Primmer, Prim Della Prim keep being a great guy, you are for sure one of the nicest guys on the team and have always been there supporting me over the past few years.
    
Sophomores:
RJ, you are my guy and you’re going to be a nasty pitcher these next 2 years. At the end of the day you just gottta keep running….
    
Barry, Big Bar keep up the good work and make sure you keep hitting bombs for me.
    
Mathwig, the Wigatron, you have really developed into a great pitcher over your short 2 years here. I hope you continue to keep using the fist pump that we all love.
    
Slowiak, keep working hard and your time will come.
    
Seegers, you have made the transition into our starting shortstop and will have that role for the next 2 years. Keep working hard and continue to get better.
    
Mencacci, I haven’t seen someone work harder then you do on a day-to-day basis, and we all love how hard you work behind the plate for us. Your life might be a little less stressful next year without having Whitey there.
    
Alex Kleve, your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed by the team, it is something that we all appreciate.
    
Hottinger, Cots you have showed that you have the potential to be a very good pitcher for SMU, now you have to keep working and get to that level.
    
Taschetta, keep on the hard work and continue to get better every day.
    
Johnny O, keep being a great teammate and make sure to keep RJ out of trouble for me.
    
Freshmen:
Eli, Phil … You are one of a kind, that’s really all I can say. I hope you can get your license soon so we can actually hangout. Please try not to annoy TJ too much next year, you have to hold it down for the PU with the boys gone now. 45 Nation.
    
DJ, Lil Dirk, you are a true legend and I have to thank you for all of the times that you let me come to good old Benilde and let me take a nap here and there.
    
Jesse, you were one great laundry partner! Hopefully you are able to find someone next year that will be able to help you out.
    
For the rest of the freshmen, really take advantage of every opportunity you have over the next 3 years, not just in baseball but in school as well. Make the most of it, because I would love to have the opportunity to spend 3 more years here with all of my friends.
    
Managers:
Joey OG and Joe Kleve, I would like to thank you guys for all that you guys do for this program. OG, you are expected to be the next Richie! I really hope you are ready for that challenge.
    
To everyone else at Saint Mary’s, thank you for all of the great memories that we were all able to make over the four years here. Wouldn’t have wanted to spend it with anyone else. These were the best four years of my life!