Matt Bids Farewell

I'm sure it will be a common theme in all of the Senior Salutes, but the past four years have gone by way too fast! To be able to play baseball at Saint Mary's University was a great honor and I have nothing but respect for everyone who was involved in making my time here great. I wouldn't trade the times we had for anything. First I would like to thank my parents — where would I be without you? All the love, support and guidance you have given me over the years has helped me become the person I am today — thank you. Dad, I will never forget the times in the backyard playing catch. Even when I got old enough to start throwing some smoke, you were always there when I needed a catcher to help me get my curveball over. Mom, thanks for being there through out my baseball career. I know those weekend tournaments were a drag when I was growing up, but I couldn't think of any better way for you to spend your free time. To my brothers, nothing can ever keep us apart. Joe, not many guys can say they were able to play on the same baseball team in college. For this I feel extremely lucky and privileged. Your brotherly advice on and off the field was always appreciated and I am glad I was able to share this experience with you. Christopher, You are an amazing little brother. Even though we were never able to share the diamond, we still shared some incredible times together. Good luck with anything you choose to do. To my coaches: Coach Whaley, thanks for giving me the opportunity to be a Cardinal, putting on a jersey everyday was truly an honor and I will cherish it for the rest of my life. You helped me grow as a player and as a person and for this I am truly grateful. Coach Huegel, it’s amazing what a little determination, hard work and some dry mechanics can do. You never let me just get by, and always expected my very best when I was on the field. Even though I may have not had the sparkling ERA that you wished for, I feel the time we spent together was awesome. One thing can be certain though, without you I wouldn't have become the best pitching chart doer in the MIAC (yes Miz, this isn't a typo). Good luck on being a daddy! Coach Trewick, the past two years have been a blast. Your input to in game strategies, scouting opposing teams and ability to say Caddyshack lines on queue has been quite the treat. If your not doing anything in the off-season, how would you like to mow my lawn? Player coaches: Coz, you were a great player, a great coach, a great knuckleballer, a great roommate and a great friend. I'm sure glad there are people like us in the world who enjoy the lost art of dry humor. Jake, you will always be the heavyweight champion of the world in my book. Tony, thank you for taking my under my wing in my early SMU days, you helped me become a leader and I will never forget that. And to the past players, thanks for all the good times. And finally, to the current players: Seniors — Haw, what would I have done without you there? You have been a great teammate and even a better friend during our time here. If we had eight more Nick Wineckes on the team we would have been tough to beat. Your work ethic has never gone unnoticed and it was an absolute privilege watching you become the player you are today. Thanks for being a great leader. Mr. Kuhn, if the NCAA had a “most impressive sac bunter” award it would be a battle between you and Danny for the all-time champ. You never seize to amaze me, and your ability to lighten even the gloomiest dugouts is something I will remember most. Buj, between our philosophical chats on the bus rides, to the 5th-inning jams, I would let you try and get out of things we will look back on one day and laugh. I’m positive that between your 4 majors and 12 minors you will find something to do with your life and be successful. Grant, sidearm, no sidearm, I still love you man. It has been a pleasure spending most of my college career with you whining about how much more conditioning we do than the position players. If anything, they should have looked at our physiques and noticed that fit, studly pitchers like us get all the girls anyways. Good luck at Mayo in the fall! Current Cardinals: Dave, my college experience would not have been the same without you. It seems like just yesterday we hanging out Down under, wondering what kind of trouble we could get into. Good luck next year! Brady, here’s one stat Donny can’t change, you are the man. Your talent, and love of the game has helped us become a gritty team who never gives up. We needed a big year out of you this year and that’s exactly what we got. It has been an unbelievable time getting to know you for the past four years. Miz, thanks for being a great roommate and a great friend. I hope you know that all the times you beat me in conditioning (every time) I let you win. I envy your work ethic and determination to become great, and I know that you will be great at whatever you choose to do. Kevin, was I safe? You are the hardest working guy I have ever met, and your leadership has helped this team turnaround 360 degrees. Thank you for putting up with me for the past three years. Alex and Brandon, it has been very interesting getting to know you guys, I know that if the NCAA had a “goofiest roommates” award you guys would win hands down. Good luck in the future! And to the rest: Shooter, these are gooooooood, Tosh, sanks for being such a good teammate, the professor — keep on being selfish and remember … I do what I want, Dang, keep inventin’, KR, you’ll figure it out!, Fersch, unbelievable. Andy puff puff Pass, Jeff Paul, keep finding that good real estate, Everyday Ed, Igou, Clayton, Smoke Wagon, Sweny, Geske, Linder Bakes, Inge, Krause, I know its fresh in my mind but that bomb you gave up to Kirby Carr was a little farther than the one I gave up, TK, Matty Michels, Ben and Big Pete and to anyone I missed. Thanks for the memories guys.