Grant Bids Farewell

It’s hard to wrap up the best four years of your life in a few short pages. And “the best” are exactly what the past four years have been. There are so many things about these years that I will never forget, and some that I definitely will. If I never eat another Dominos pizza or run another three-minute interval again it will be far too soon! But, these are not the things that I think of when I look back at my career. Iron crosses and vanilla cigars are what I will never forget. Wednesday night grill outs are the memories that I will cherish. So many people have impacted my life, that it is impossible to thank them all in this short reflection. First and foremost, I have to thank my parents and family. Dad, Mom, you have always been there for me no matter what. It’s easy to live life to the fullest when you have a rock-solid foundation to fall back on. Thank you so much for everything. I would not be the person I am today if not for your love and support. Somehow, this paragraph does not seem like enough. Bubba, Steve, and Mary, thanks for putting up with me for this long. Love you guys. Bubba, I hope you join the Fuzz soon. If I was a bad guy, I’d hate to see you with riot gear on! Steve, you’ll probably get 200 tackles next year at Jamestown, but don’t let it go to your head. They are going to have a hard time finding a helmet big enough for you the way it is. Mary, keep on skating. I know I’ll see you in a college jersey some day. To Coach Whaley, although my college career did not turn out the way I had envisioned it, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to play college baseball. It was always my dream. You taught me the way the game should be played, with respect, dignity, and sportsmanship. I will take this with me wherever baseball may lead me in the future. Coach Huegel, you turned me into the pitcher I never thought I could be. Although pitching is not in my blood like it is yours, you were still able to make something out of me. Thank you for all your hard work. Coach T., thanks for keeping us sane. I also want to thank the guys who have gone before me for their leadership and hard work. Rinker, Jose, Coz, and Rietz, anyone who knows these guys knows what absolutely great people and leaders they were. They have left their mark on this program and future current and future success should be directly attributed to the impact they have made. Thank you guys and congratulations Dave and Mary! Fellow seniors, what a ride! How many ups and downs can one group go through? Remember being ranked 7th in the region? I am glad to have been able to share this time with you guys. I hope you all are successful in your future lives. Coach Winecke, it’s been a pleasure. Keep playing with that tongue hanging out. Kuhn, even though you’re a Sox fan, you are still a good guy. Matty! I will miss your humor, your nasty deuce, and our long talks on the bus. Now who’s going to yell Beak ‘em??? Buj, well roomie, you have always looked out for me. It was nice to have a second mother all these years. Someone needed to keep me out of trouble. I know you will be happy and successful in whatever you do.never forget the Swensonator yelling, “Fire up the Wagon!!!” In the next couple of years, I know this team is going to be great. Keep on believing in each other and \you will do great things. I am proud to have been teammates with all of you. Brady, keep hitting bombs. Chest Bump! Jeffey, Al, well … just keep being yourselves. Greg, I missed you. Coz, van #3 RULES!!! Remember when you hit that bird? Kriegs, I never thought someone so small could be so funny. Inge, you’re a great friend and a great player. Swing it with confidence! Missles, you throw hard. Go Mallards. Toshi, I hope I never have to work housekeeping in a hotel while you are there. Kevin, you are one of the hardest working athletes I have ever played with. Clay, I can’t wait to see you back on the mound again. Fergenbusch, you guys are going to be good, stick with it. Dinger!! I love throwing balls in the dirt and making you work! Schmitty, you’re a tough kid, I’d throw to you any day. I want to mention you all, but there is too much to say. You have given me so many great memories, and you are all great guys. How can I recount my college career without talking about the best group of friends anyone could ever ask for? Never have I met such a diverse and wonderful group of people. Who would have thought kids from Vlazny could have gotten along so well with a bunch of Benildo’s. Andy, Tim, and Fitz, memories of Mount Studmore will make me laugh for years to come. We did it right. Jake, I hope you really do save the world. Sheboygan, I always wanted a pair of sisters. Hieu, don’t float too far away. I know I’m leaving many of you out, but you know that I love you all. When the zombies do come, we will be prepared! Last, but not least, I’d like to thank you, Mickey. What would I do without you? When I come home crabby from losing or happy from playing well, you are always there to listen and to bring me back down to earth. Thank you for being there and making the last two years the best of my life. Even though it might get me fined, I’m going to say it anyway, I love you. My journey as a Cardinal may be coming to a close, but the friendships I have made along the way will last forever. Thank you again to all of you who have helped me along the way. I could not have done it with out you. Go get ‘em next year guys, I’ll be there watching. I’ve given a lot of thought to what my last words as a Saint Mary’s Cardinal should be. I could only come up with one thing. Brothers, “We Came, We Swore, and We SANDSTORMED!”