(Editor’s Note: This is the eighth installment of “Where Are They Now” Powered by the BK7 Brand. You can check out the previous seven by clicking here. In this edition, we catch up with Greg Marino, a former standout pitcher at Centereach HS and Stony Brook University.)
Standing 6’6 and throwing in the low 90s, Greg Marino was an intimidating presence on the mound for Stony Brook University. The hard-throwing RHP pitched three seasons for Matt Senk including starting an NCAA Regional game in 2019 against LSU.
Following his collegiate career, Marino followed in his brother’s footsteps and played in the Frontier League with the Southern Illinois Miners for the 2019 season. But just like that, he decided his professional baseball career was done at the age of 22.
Could he have continued? Sure, there’s not too many people on planet earth standing his size that can throw a baseball that hard and with that control.
For Greg, there was something bigger he was pursuing, as he “felt a call from God” and he was compelled to pursue his desire to become a priest. I had a chance to speak with him and here’s what he had to say…
Who were your favorite MLB players when you were growing up?
Andy Pettitte and Robinson Cano
Did you play any other sports growing up?
Basketball
Who are some people that have had a positive impact on your career?
My family, especially my brother Steve and my dad, Tony, my coaches throughout high school, travel ball, and college – especially Coach Matt Senk.
Why did you choose to attend Stony Brook?
Firstly, my brother did, so I was comfortable with the program and the coaches, and I wanted to stay close to home and play Div-I if possible. It had a major I wanted (health science) and presented me with a challenge since I was a walk-on and did not end up receiving any scholarship money until my junior year, but the first two years helped me grow and mature in many unexpected ways both as a man and an athlete.
What was your fondest memory during your Stony Brook career?
Winning the 2019 America East Championship and then flying to Baton Rouge, LA as the starting Game 1 pitcher of the NCAA Tournament against LSU.
What travel teams did you play on when you were younger?
LI Mustangs, LI Renegades and LI Titans.
Can you discuss your decision to move on from baseball to pursuing a path as a priest?
My faith grew exponentially in the summers of 2017 and 2018 while playing in the PGCBL as a member of the Albany Dutchmen. I was able to go to daily Mass at a local church. The priests there impressed me and I could see myself becoming one as I spent a lot of time in silence, and in that silence, I felt a call from God to sacrifice my life for others in some heroic way, and priesthood seems like the direction to go. My desire to become a priest has only grown since then, but I had to cut off many other life and job opportunities like baseball and medicine to enter seminary in 2020 in order to appropriately proceed. It has not been an easy decision but I am excited about where God has led me so far.
What are the next steps for you on your way to becoming a priest?
The Catholic Church requires anywhere from 5-9 years of formation before a man is ordained a priest, and my path was 7 years. I am currently in year 3/7 and will be ordained a priest in 4 years (June 2027) if all goes as is expected. Last spring, I receive a Master of Arts degree in Catholic Philosophical studies and will receive more degrees in the future. The next 4 years I will be studying theology as well as various practicums like hearing confessions, saying Mass, etc. I live in St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY with about 50 seminarians like myself. Daily life entails much prayer, study and fraternity (including baseball and basketball, so my athletic abilities have not totally gone away.)
What impact has your family had on your life? How did your brother being a high-level player impact your career?
My family has played an enormous role in my life and all the decisions I’ve made. MY parents in a special way have shaped me to become a man who is considering a life as a priest, something I never thought I would pursue, but this role is extremely humbling to even be considered for. Their character and example gave all of us a solid ground in which to grow and learn in so many areas of life. My brother Steve is the oldest out of the 5 kids and has guided me on-and-off the baseball field. He paved my way through high school, college and professional ball, being my coach in college and pro ball for two years. My hope is that I can become a man of integrity, honesty and diligence that my dad and brother are so that, as a priest, I can inspire others like I have been inspired. I pray that when people see me they see Jesus, since He is the beginning and end of not only my life but of every person who seeks Him.
