A Look Back at Meet The Team Night – Ohio State Buckeyes
2/8/2017 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Diamond Club, Ohio State’s booster organization for the baseball program, held its Meet The Team Night for the baseball Buckeyes last Saturday evening at the Fawcett Center and once again, there is an incredible interest for the 2017 Ohio State baseball season.
It was a day of celebration and introduction. Close to 300 supporters came to meet the 2017 Buckeyes, while several alumni members of the 2016 Big Ten championship team were also in attendance. Diamond clubbers, friends of the program, family members, coaches, support staff and alumni were all on hand to get the first look at the team.
THE BOYS DRESSED TO IMPRESS
Fifth-year senior Jake Post didn’t disappoint, seen in a gray suit with a flawless pink button down. Sophomore Connor Curlis rocked a red velvet suit jacket with class, while freshman Michael McDonough came to make a statement, dressed in a dark aqua suit from head to toe. Best shoes of the night? Bo Coolen. His suede brown shoes were “fire” as the cool kids say.
We can’t leave out Austin Woodby, who wore a relaxed-fit charcoal gray suit with his standard button down. Best tie? Ryan Feltner. It jumped out at you like his fastball with a floral arrangement of spring colors.
THE PROGRAM BEGINS
After a social hour that included a silent auction, a dinner was served. The “Block O” butter cutouts were a big hit. A program followed that was led by emcee, Diamond Club President Frank Fraas. Fraas said a few words on Buckeye legend Steve Arlin, who passed away last summer at the age of 70. A beautiful invocation was then done by student manager Caleb Huth.
“It’s great to have the Big Ten championship back with the Scarlet and Gray,” Fraas opened to a round of applause. “Looking ahead to 2017, head coach Greg Beals has once again put together a schedule that will set up another title run this spring. Thirteen games will be against NCAA tournament teams. The Buckeyes will play five teams ranked in the preseason Top 40.”
Fraas then introduced the event’s guest speaker of the evening, former Buckeye Brad Goldberg (2011-13).
“While 2016 was a great year for the Buckeyes and they are looking forward to 2017, the same can be said to our featured speaker tonight,” Fraas said. “Brad Goldberg grew up in Beachwood, Ohio, where he started for Beachwood High, lettering all four years. Following high school he started his college career at Coastal Carolina. After two seasons he transferred to Ohio State but didn’t see the field for two years. In 2013, Brad started in 15 games for the Buckeyes and went 6-1. Following the season, he was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 10th round. He was named to the Triple-A All-Star game last year and also played for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic. His big year wasn’t over, though, the White Sox added him to the 40-man roster in November. He told me tonight that he will be headed to Spring Training with the White Sox and that’s his dream, to play in the majors. Ladies and gentlemen, Brad Goldberg.”
GOLDIE HIGHLIGHTS THE NIGHT
Former Buckeye Brad Goldberg gave an instrumental speech to the crowd on hand, which included his entire family. He shared his story of his journey to where he is today – one step away from his Major League dream.
“I come from a family of Buckeyes,” Goldberg said. “My dad was born and raised in Columbus. He repeatedly reminds me that he went to Eastmoor High School back in the day and handed the ball off to a certain running back named Archie Griffin, maybe you’ve heard of him. My grandma and grandma both attended Ohio State in the mid-50s, they are the definition of true Buckeyes. My brother Rob is in his third year here. Thank you for making the long trip down Lane Avenue.”
Goldberg went on to describe his journey to Ohio State as he would transfer from Coastal Carolina. Beals was hired in 2011 and offered Goldberg a spot on the Buckeye roster, which was a “no-brainer” for the right-hander to make the trip to Columbus. But it wasn’t an easy transition for him. Goldberg had to sit out a year due to transfer rules and in the process he changed his major from sport management to sociology. However, there was an issue with the number of class credits he had toward graduation and had to sit on the bench for a second straight year. That took a big hit on him.
“This brought me to a crossroad in my life,” Goldberg said. “My grades suffered and I let myself get out of shape. I really wasn’t myself at all. Sometime in the spring of 2012, I had a meeting with the coaches and some academic advisors. The meeting was a mix of shape up or ship out. That meeting would essentially change my academic and athletic career at OSU forever.”
Redemption. Goldberg got his eligibility in line after taking summer classes. He could finally suit up for the Scarlet and Gray.
“That 2013 season was the most fun I’ve ever had playing baseball in my entire life,” Goldberg said. “I pitched with such a chip on my shoulder that season, I feel like I led out two years of frustration on the Big Ten. I finally got my life back. I felt like a normal college student-athlete.”
One by one, Goldberg would give thank his teammates, including John Kuchno (2011-12), assistant coach Chris Holick, volunteer coach Dan DeLucia, volunteer video coordinator Matt Angle, director of operations Blair Everhart, pitching coach Mike Stafford, strength and conditioning coach Dean Hansen, Buckeye Diamond Club member Bill Wells, and finally, head coach Greg Beals.
“You took a chance on my when I transferred here,” Goldberg said. “There are probably multiple times you wish you didn’t take that chance. I’m forever indebted to you and your loyalty to me.”
Goldberg concluded his inspiring speech, with some words of advice for future and current Buckeyes.
“Don’t blink,” Goldberg said. “Come to Ohio State and cherish it. Professional baseball is great but your experience on this campus for three to five years is priceless. To the current players, some of which believe it or not, I’ve played with here. I envy each and every one of you. Do not take throwing on that uniform lightly. You guys have grinded through another fall, conditioning is done and you guys can probably taste it. Continue the blue-collar work ethic that has been etched in the culture of this program. Good luck this year boys, Go Bucks.”
MEET THE 2017 BUCKEYES
One-by-one, the boys introduced themselves, including 17 new faces. The group will be led a five-member senior class with four fifth-year seniors:
- Joe Stoll, an integrated systems engineering major: thanked his whole family for coming out tonight.
- Shea Murray, a political science major, said “I’m an outfielder this year. I also wanted to give you one of my favorite quotes. Coach Stafford said it first, it’s eagles that soar but weasels don’t get caught in jet engines.”
- Zach Ratcliff, a sport industry major, “I play first base and left field (to a sound of laughter), I would like to thank my parents, my grandparents, my sisters and my girlfriend for being here.”
- Jake Post, a human and development family science major, “I would like to thank my parents and my lovely girlfriend for being here. I would also like to thank Connor Curlis for wearing that red jacket.”
PAVLOPOULOS STEALS THE SHOW
When it was redshirt junior Yianni Pavlopoulos’ turn to speak, he gave the audience its biggest laugh of the evening:
“Hello everyone, I’m Yianni Pavlopoulos from Homer Glen, Ill., I’m a redshirt junior. I am a logistics major. Um, when I’m not hitting the books I like to pitch for the Buckeyes as well. I’d like to thank my lovely parents for being here tonight and, Feltner, I’d like to thank your parents for being here since you forgot to mention them.”
THE CAPTAINS
Senior co-captain Jalen Washington, an operations management major, was the first of two captains to speak on stage:
“I want to thank all my family members that are here tonight, you are my support system,” Washington said. “I’m looking forward to getting the season started. Getting to the hotels and being together as a team. We’ve worked hard with coach Hansen and we are ready to play baseball. With this new group of guys, we are looking to find what we did last year and translate it to this year.”
Followed by redshirt junior captain Adam Niemeyer, a finance major:
“It means a lot for all of you to be here,” Niemeyer said. “To all the families and friends and the Buckeye Diamond Club, thank you. We have a lot of new faces on this team, but our culture hasn’t changed. With that being said, we are all chomping at the bit to get the season started and prove to the Big Ten and the rest of the country what we are capable of.”
THE HEAD COACH’S TURN
When it was Beals’ turn to speak, he sincerely thanked everyone in attendance for their support and had personal thanks for the members of his family and coaching staff. Beals also thanked each member of his talented support staff and the hard work they do year round.
And finally his notes on the 2017 Buckeyes:
- “Last year taught us how to win a championship. We believe the team culture was the key ingredient in that championship. While many things have changed, the culture will remain the same. The 2017 Buckeyes are ready to start a new season.”
- Beals identified their core values the team has as a program: elite preparation, this “pitch mentality” and brotherhood.
- “This is a talented group of young men. The only thing that hasn’t happened is there chance to prove themselves as Buckeyes. That’s it. As far as expectations, our goal is simple: to execute that cultural blueprint, that backbone, we carry each day.”
The Buckeyes open the 2017 season Friday, Feb. 17 in Osceola, Fla., against Kansas State, Pitt and Delaware at Osceola County Stadium. First pitch is Noon ET and one thing is for sure: The Buckeyes will be ready to hunt.
“If we stay locked in as a team, winning and losing will take care of itself,” Beals said. “I’m all in. Let’s go play. I also want to thank everyone in this room, especially the parents. You have raised great young men and I’m honored to be coaching them.”
