PHOENIX — A devoted fan of the Arizona Diamondbacks who stole the hearts of D-backs Nation in 2011 has not given up on his dream of playing pro baseball.
Ty Pohlmann provided a magical TV moment when he met Luis Gonzalez more than a decade ago.
Upon meeting Gonzalez during the 10th anniversary of the World Series championship, Pohlmann broke down crying in Gonzo’s arms. It was a heartfelt moment between a boy and his baseball hero.
“It’s OK to cry in baseball. We’ve all cried before,” Gonzalez told Pohlmann.
Pohlmann was just a toddler when the Diamondbacks won the World Series in 2001. But he grew up repeatedly watching a VHS tape of the epic game seven when Luis Gonzalez hit the most famous blooper in baseball history. He began playing organized baseball at 2 years old and one of the first words he spoke was, “Gonzo.”
Now 23, Pohlmann watched with giddy surprise with the rest of the Valley as the Diamondbacks advanced through the playoffs to reach the World Series.
“It’s been wild, just awesome,” he said.
The 6’4” right-handed pitcher is playing pro baseball for the Billings, MT Mustangs in the Pioneer League with hopes to eventually sign with an MLB franchise.
“In the back of everyone’s mind, you want to get there, of course,” Pohlmann said. “I’m learning it’s about the journey.”
Pohlmann played baseball at Perry High School in Queen Creek. He attended UNLV and Northwest Nazarene University and obtained a degree in Economics. He just signed a second contract with the Mustangs for next season.
“When I got my first paycheck, it almost felt like I stole some money because it doesn’t feel like work,” he said.
While playing this summer in small towns across the northwest, Pohlmann followed online the Diamondbacks’ up-and-down season and surprise success in the postseason. The autographed bat Gonzalez gave him as a boy sits in his East Valley childhood bedroom. Pohlmann said he’s embraced Gonzalez’s advice to him to be “a good person” first, no matter what he does in life.
“People aren’t going to remember the stats you had, but how good of a teammate you were,” he said.
Pohlmann is training during the offseason at Pro Advantage Training in Gilbert. He has a different perspective as a fan, having worked out with MLB players including the Phillies’ Brandon Marsh and Matt Strahm.
“Seeing those guys on TV playing against the team you grew up watching, you’re kind of torn,” he said.
Pohlmann is studying sports analytics in business school.
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