Scott Rolen & My Start in Baseball
Scott Rolen is a Hall of Famer. He was one of the first players I covered as a high school student. Wow! Time flies when you’re having fun.
Rolen was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Tuesday, January 24, 2023. Congrats, Scott!
His election reminded me of a great moment that took place early on in my career in professional baseball…
May 20, 1999 — Philadelphia Phillies vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons
When I look back at my 16+ years working in a professional baseball front office, I always look back at how it all started. No, not my first unpaid internship (2004 with the Altoona Curve) — or my first full paid year in baseball ($1,000 a month in 2009 with the Lehigh Valley IronPigs) — but how it all really started…
Of course, my love of baseball first came from my dad. A diehard Mets fan, he instilled that love of baseball into me at a very young age.
I remember that first time we went to Shea Stadium like it was yesterday. I even remember us getting lost on our way from Brooklyn to Queens and asking someone for directions. Even better, I remember that feeling I got when I first saw my favorite players up close — Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, and so on.
I remember all the times we played catch in the backyard. Even after his long days at work and hours driving home in the car — he made time for me. Many years later, we made it a tradition to play catch at Truist Field on Father’s Day! Miss you, dad.
And, while my dad and grandfathers both played a big role in my love of baseball, there was someone who helped me get my foot in the door. It was because of that first experience, I was able to see for myself what it could be like working in baseball someday.
During my senior year of high school (Pocono Mountain High School )— I took a photography class with Mr. Paul Steinruck. It was there that I got to experience something I always wanted to do— cover a pro baseball team. Even better, it was at a place that my dad took me to countless times — Lackawanna County Stadium.
Once we moved to the Poconos from Brooklyn, it was harder to get to as many games at Shea like we used to do. We still attended Mets games — but we went to even more Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons games. And, those were a lot of fun!
In 1999, after attending many games over the years as a fan at Lackawanna County Stadium, I attended the game as a member of the media for the first time — thanks to Mr. Steinruck.
I still have my press pass from that game! Thanks to Mike Cummings, Red Barons PR guy, for credentialing us!
Along with Mr. Steinruck and two other photography students, we covered Opening Day 1999 at the Red Barons. It was an experience of a lifetime! I remember driving there with my good friend and fellow photo student, Gary Kotwasinski. We had an amazing experience interviewing players and taking photos. We got to meet Tug McGraw, too!
I even wrote a story (with help from Mr. Steinruck), which was published in not only my school newspaper, but also the Pocono Record!
A month or so later — thanks again to Mr. Steinruck — I was back! Another press pass to cover the Red Barons. Only this time, it wasn’t just the Barons. It was the Philadelphia Phillies, too!
The Phillies and Red Barons played an exhibition game at Lackawanna County Stadium on May 20, 1999. I was there and on the field taking photos of both teams. Another amazing experience!
Players such as Ron Gant, Curt Schilling, and many others, posed for photos for me.
The experience was one that I will never forget. It motivated me. It gave me a glimpse into my future. It was there that I knew that I would do whatever I could someday to get a job in baseball.
24 years later, I’m still in the game. It hasn’t been easy, but it has been awesome!
Thank you Mr. Steinruck for all you did for my career.
