Pat Jacobsen Sr. • C	It is hard to believe that my four years of playing baseball here at Saint Mary’s University come to a close today. It seems like only last week when I first walked into the first base dugout, a nervous little freshman, to begin my journey as a ballplayer, and an individual. That journey was not always an easy one, but through the thick and the thin, I always kept this quote in my head, “Always believe in yourself, and be careful what you think because your thoughts are forever creating your reality.” This is a quote from the best player in the American League, Eric Byrnes! I would like to take this opportunity to give my deepest thanks to my parents, Gary and Mary Anne Jacobsen. You both have given me everything you have to offer, whether it be the ride to practice, the constant support during the games, or the hug waiting after the game. There are no words to describe how grateful I am to both of you. You have always been there to pick me up when I am down, and to convince me it is not as bad as I think it is. Without your love and mentoring, I would have never grown up to be the man I am today. It is so difficult to describe on paper what you mean to me, but just know that I am eternally grateful for everything you both have done for me. I love you both so much, and thank you! To my sister, Erin: Thank you for being the best sister a guy can have. I appreciate all the times I have called looking for advice; you are always there for me when I need it. I love you and I hope I can one day be the teacher that you are! PS: thanks for that swimming to hockey switch, those pools were always ungodly hot. To my coaching staff: Coach Whaley, I am very grateful for the opportunity you have given me in the past four years to represent myself, my family, and everyone who has worn the red and white before me. Coach Huegel, it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to work with the best pitching coach in the MIAC. I am certain that you will make an outstanding head coach in the future! Coach Cicalello, I know my hitting drives you crazy sometimes, but without your time and coaching, I would have struggled all year. Thank you for all the talks we’ve had, and remember, there comes a time when you just need to look in the mirror and say, “When in Rome.” Coach Mollner, thank you for the time and dedication you gave to Saint Mary’s. I wish you the best of luck in your future coaching, and also, thank you for giving me the opportunity three years ago to be “the voice of Cardinal hockey!” To my teammates: I want to thank all my fellow seniors for allowing me to take the journey with you guys. Cardinal Baseball would not have been the same without you all. Jose (-head, -hound, Josie), continue to be that gross guy. Your dedication and passion has been something I’ve looked up to for the past four years. Matt (Rinker, Lattimer, Ice, Freak), you’re ability to shorten words to one syllable is unreal! Thanks for being such a good friend, and for always getting that lemon out of your mouth! Jesse (Juice, JP), Cardinal Baseball would definitely not be the same without you; you’re ability to keep us all loose means more than you know. I’ll always remember the nights we had, just reciting Dave Chapelle lines! Joe (Schmo, Tommy Dropick), the past two years we’re had together are ones I’ll never forget! Thanks for being a great friend, and always making me laugh! I would also like to thank a few other teammates who have made my years here at Saint Mary’s more than I could have asked for. Coz, thanks for being my handicapped brother, and for being such a good friend. Win-Hawk, your passion for the game is something I look up to. Remember, I get top bunk next year! The Black Brothers, West Stillwater…..need I say more! Steveo, you take the best book in the conference! Buj, Grant, and Baby Bone, AQOTMF ROCKS!! Brady, how can I leave out the only other guy who loves Eric Byrnes! Thanks for being my boy. To all my other teammates throughout the years that I have no mentioned, thank you for allowing me to play the game that we all love together! I would also like to thank a special person in my life. Kendall, you have been my motivation for the past three years, I appreciate all the time you have spent by my side through the thick and thin. You have taught me the meaning of the word “passion,” and I can say in honesty that my life has not been the same since I met you. Thank you! As my time here at Saint Mary’s comes to a close, I want to leave you with a quote from another catcher, Roy Campanella: “You gotta be a man to play baseball for a living, but you gotta have a lot of little boy in you, too.” That’s what always drove me, the little boy inside me that just will not grow up. Peace, love, and handpounds!