 |
| Photo Credit: St. Joseph’s Athletics |
Following the 2002 MLB season, Tom Glavine was already an established Major League pitcher with two Cy Young Awards, two second place finishes and another third place finish. He had already won 252 games and was well on his way to Cooperstown.
He made headlines by leaving his team, the Atlanta Braves, whom he had won 14-straight National League East division titles with for their rival–the New York Mets.
The reaction was mixed–with some supporting his decision to pursue a bigger payday while others questioned why his loyalty had wavered in the organization that nurtured him and watched him mature into the second-best left-handed pitcher of the generation.
This is a decision made much easier in exchange for millions of dollars. For a 21-year-old playing for the love of the game, it can be gut-wrenching decision.
“Id be lying if I said I didn’t feel bad about leaving my teammates at Farmingdale,” said Brendan Sullivan. “They were some of my closest friends and still are. I still talk to kids like Mikey Scarlato and Kevin Cashman everyday. We won two skyline championships together and made some great memories. My reasoning behind leaving was from an academic stand point, at SJC I am able to major in education. Also I was able to come play for my high school coaches Paul Parsalono and Rick Garrett who were and still are huge influences in my life both on and off the baseball field.
Sullivan graduated from St. Dominic’s HS in 2012 and went to Farmingdale for his first two seasons of college. Last season, he hit .333 with a .451 OBP and 13 RBI over 57 at bats.
This season, he has taken his game to an even higher level with the help of a tremendously productive summer ball season.
“This past summer I went upstate to play in the NYCBL, I met some great people and saw baseball from a different perspective. I also just continued to believe in myself and trust the process. Switching to first base has also allowed my body and mind to focus a lot more on hitting. Also I’ve just continued to try to out work everyone as I always have.”
 |
| Photo Credit: Vinny Messana |
Through 97 at bats, he has 39 hits (.403 AVG), 17 R, 22 RBI, with an unbelievable .500 OBP and .505 SLG. He is one of the major reasons the Golden Eagles have taken the quantum leap forward from .500 ball club in 2014 to No. 1 in the Skyline Conference playoffs which begin on Friday.
Having played on two Skyline winning clubs, Sullivan knows what it takes to be a winning team. He feels this team has the makings.
“ I’ve been on two championship teams and I do feel this team is ready to contend for a championship,” he said. “This team is very tight, and I believe that our lineup can match up with anyone. Our starting pitching has been great as well as our bullpen. We play clean defense, and that’s what makes me believe that this team can pull it off,” he added.
St. Joseph’s will have home-field advantage heading into the playoffs which will give them a huge advantage.
If they win, Sullivan will most likely play a critical role. If it happens against Farmingdale, just consider him the missing link.
