Thomas, Baerga hit First Pitch for Penguins

February 12, 2017 at 12:00a.m.

Former YSU ace, ex-Indians star highlight breakfast event

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown State baseball program can thank Jim Phillips for sending former Penguin and MLB pitcher Justin Thomas its way.

Phillips, who played for the Penguins from 2002-05, was Thomas’ best friend in high school (Clay High School in Oregon, Ohio) and when former head coach Mike Florak went looking for a top-line pitcher to solidify his rotation, little did he know back then just how valuable and successful an addition he would be for YSU.

As an ambassador for the program, he’s proven to be even more valuable since throwing his last pitch in 2005.

Thomas (2003-05), who was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fourth-round of the 2005 June amateur draft, played three seasons in the Majors with Seattle, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

He returned to YSU on Saturday and along with Cleveland Indians hall of famer Carlos Baerga — he was inducted in the team’s hall of fame in 2013 — took part in first-year head coach Dan Bertolini’s “First Pitch Breakfast” at the Embassy.

Nearly 475 people were in attendance to hear Thomas and Baerga, as well as YSU President Jim Tressel with Bertolini presenting members of his first Penguin squad.

“When Jim was being recruited, it was assistant coach Dan Stricko who came to a game to see him and it just so happened that I was pitching that day,” Thomas said. “They showed an interest in me, I came up for an official visit and then visited Jim a couple other times his freshman year. I loved the campus, got to know some of the guys and was very happy with coach Florak. The things he had to say really made my decision an easy one.”

The opportunity to play immediately and have at least one good friend on the team was too good for Thomas to pass up.

“That was a big part of my decision,” he said. “Coach Florak was great to everyone and for me especially. He treated me well, took good care of me in that he made sure I wasn’t overexposed or overused, simply because he felt that I did have a chance to pitch at the next level. When that opportunity came, he said whether it’s the first or 20th round, go play professional ball because I know that’s been your dream. He was like by dad away from home.”

Named the Horizon League’s “Pitcher of the Year” in 2005, Thomas racked up 19 total wins while wearing a YSU uniform and in addition to his Minor League and Major playing career, also pitched in Japan, Taiwan and Venezuela.

He said he has a plethora of memories from which to draw, but the game that he will never forget came in the season opener at Missouri on Feb. 27, 2004, a 3-2 win over the Tigers.

“We played Missouri my freshman year in 2003 and got beat around a bit. The following year we had a 22 hour bus ride and it was snowing and cold when we arrived,” he said. “They were ranked in the top-25 to open the season, had Max Scherzer on their pitching staff and a lot of other big names on their roster. We won that season opener 3-2, I pitched seven innings to get the the win and it remains the one game today that still sticks out in my mind.”

Bertolini said the breakfast is a way to bring his team and the community together prior to season.

“I am truly overwhelmed by the support of the community,” Bertolini said. “I grew up a Carlos Baerga fan and with Justin, his willingness to come back and take part in this event shows how much he cares about our program and YSU. It’s important to have alumni support and in Justin, he represents where the program was and where we are heading.”

Reliever Kevin Yarabinec was named to the 2014 Horizon League “All-Newcomer Team” and is one of five captains that dot Bertolini’s initial roster.

“It’s an exciting time because coach Bertolini and the staff he has assembled have brought plenty of enthusiasm and energy. That makes you look forward to practice each and every day,” Yarabinec said.

Attorney Dennis Haines, a corporate sponsor for the event, is a long time YSU athletics supporter and 2016 inductee into the school’s athletics hall of fame.

“My wife Jan and I enjoy taking advantage of the games because they’re exciting and a lot of fun to watch,” he said. “It’s quality baseball without having to drive to Pittsburgh or Cleveland and very pleasing to see the advances Dan has made in the short time he has been at the helm.”

Mike Szenborn, a Campbell Memorial alum who roamed center field for the late Dom Rosselli from 1972-75, was among a group of former players that comprised several tables at the event.

“This has always been a special time of year for me. Nothing beats the smell of the bat when it makes contact with the horsehide,” he said. “I’ve followed Dan’s coaching career and am excited with what he has done since his arrival.”

Scott Ruark, president of the local Class B League, coached Bertolini when he was a member of its Astro Falcons entry.

“To me, it’s very important to have a local connection and Dan’s presence at Cene Park, as well as his knowledge of the game should translate into more local players on YSU’s roster,” Ruark said. “He will always have our support.”

John Mang, a Fitch graduate who played with Bertolini at Mercyhurst University, is an Eastern League umpire who will serve as crew chief this season. He’s scheduled to leave for spring training in Bradenton, Florida on March 10.

“No one will outwork Dan. He’s hard-nosed, hard-working and a proven winner,” Mang stated.

Local pharmacist Greg Krieger knew Thomas when his son, Michael, was a summertime teammate of his with the Columbus All-Americans of the Great Lakes Collegiate Wooden Bat League.

“Justin was a scrappy left-hander and one of the most intense players that I have ever seen at any position,” he said. He was also the most competitive.”

The Penguins open their season Friday in Clarksville, Tenn., when they take on former Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay.

They will conclude their first weekend of play with games against Indiana State on Saturday and Illinois State on Sunday.