SJ Sports: Possible Pro

A former Cherry Hill East star, All-Olympic Conference member and University of Delaware co-captain is another level closer to the major leagues. Chris Kolodzey now makes his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan, playing for the West Michigan Whitecaps, a Midwest League Single-A affiliate for the Detroit Tigers. After spending a season playing in Oneonta in the New York-Penn league, Kolodzey now starts for the Whitecaps in right field.

The attitude in spring training this year was amazing," said Kolodzey. "The talent level in the organization is very high. The best part of advancing a level is that you don't realize how close you could be to moving up and hopefully make it to the major leagues."

Kolodzey was drafted by the Tigers in the 25th round, which surprised him some since the Tigers were not one of the teams actively scouting him during his playing days at Delaware. On draft day, Kolodzey and his father waited by the phone and watched the live draft updates on the Internet. Day one passed. On the second day of the draft, he received a call from Buddy Pane, the Mid-Atlantic scout for Tigers, telling him he was drafted. A short time later, he was playing professional baseball.

Playing on star-studded Delaware squads featuring five players now in the minors leagues, and two more (Mike Koplove and Kevin Mench) who have already made it to the majors, Kolodzey is in the Blue Hen record book for numerous single-season and career records. He ranks in the top 15 in career total bases and RBI for Delaware while placing fourth and sixth respectively in the single season runs and RBI records.

A pivotal figure in Kolodzey's success is retired coach Bob Hannah, a man so influential in Blue Hens baseball that the U of D stadium now bears his name. Hannah's teams won three consecutive America East Titles during Kolodzey's first three seasons. Hannah retired after Kolodzey's junior year and ex-player Jim Sherman was the new manager. During Kolodzey's senior season, Delaware got to the College World Series and defeated Big 10 powerhouse Ohio State before ultimately losing to Kent State. "Everything that Bob Hannah does is first class, it rubbed off on our entire team," said Kolodzey. "He stressed family first, academics second, and baseball third. When Jim Sherman was hired, the transition was very fluid. He had played at Delaware and everyone on the team felt very comfortable with him."

Through his years at Delaware, Kolodzey practiced Hannah's teachings: family remains pivotal in his life, he graduated from Delaware and made Dean's list, and his Blue Hen teams won four consecutive conference tournaments. Being a 25th round draft pick, the expectations are different than for a first-rounder. Kolodzey knows he has to work especially hard to achieve his goals of advancing a level per year.

"The organization will look at your numbers from year to year." Kolodzey said. "When given the opportunity, you have to perform. Playing for Phil Regan is a great experience as well. He's pretty laid back, but when he says something, you better listen because he's been there," Kolodzey says of the former big-league pitcher and Baltimore Orioles manager.

The major league club has had its share of problems this year. Dave Dombrowski, the former Marlins general manager, has replaced GM Randy Smith. Although Smith had built a promising farm system, the major league roster had not performed. After a poor start, manager Phil Garner was fired and replaced by Luis Pujols. These changes trickled down to the Midwest League where Kolodzey and his fellow Whitecaps took notice of the organizational shift. "What those moves meant to me," Kolodzey said, "was that everyone is going to be accountable. I know I'm going to work as hard as I possibly can."

No one knows what the future holds in store for Kolodzey. There have been many cases of low-round draft picks making it to the majors, but the majority never progress to the highest level. Kolodzey will continue to fulfill his dreams of playing professional baseball while hoping that with some success and maybe a little luck, he may one day here his name announced at Comerica Park.

"You're getting the chance to play professional baseball," he said. "How can you not have fun? This is one of the best feelings that anyone could have."

Content provided by South Jersey Sports Club.

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Author: SJ Sports-Adam Abramowitz