In episode 35 of Talon Talk, former UNF baseball player Joe Wielbruda (2012-13) goes through his unique and passion-driven life and career that has taken him around the country.
Wielbruda transferred to UNF from Midland College, a two-year junior college in west Texas. At UNF he made an impact as one of the Ospreys' most reliable players. The second baseman hit .336 (146-for-435), scoring 84 runs while driving in 47.
Baseball as a profession took the Youngstown, Ohio, native from New York City, to Staten Island, Potomac, Scranton, Indianapolis, Tampa and many stops in between.
Joe Wielbruda grew up in Youngstown, Ohio.
Youngstown was a thriving steel-making city in the Rust Belt, emblazoning the city with the identity of hard work and determination.
"It was as blue collar as it gets," Wielbruda said. "Everything was all about hard work."
Looking at Wielbruda's baseball playing career and professional career, it's fair to say that this hard work extended to him.
Coming out of Ursuline High School in northeast Ohio, Wielbruda's baseball résumé wasn't anything to turn your nose at. A three-time first team all-area selection, Wielbruda helped the Fighting Irish to three district titles, two regional championships, a state semifinals appearance and state runner-up finish.
But, the next opportunity in baseball didn't turn up right away.
"I would have loved to continue playing there or somewhere near [in Ohio], but the interest just wasn't there," Wielbruda said. "I had to pursue other opportunities. Actually, my first year after high school I did not pursue college. I took a year off. There were no offers and I wanted to keep playing."
Wielbruda spent that year working at a grocery store and training when he could.
"I felt pressured to do what everyone else was doing," Wielbruda said. "Everyone was going to college and doing their own thing."
Is he crazy?
He may have felt pressure, but he certainly didn't do what others expected, stumbling on an independent winter league ball club in the recesses of Arizona, tucked all the way in Yuma.
"I'm not going to college, I'm going out to Yuma for two months," Wielbruda said. "It couldn't have gone better."
Before even playing a game, it wasn't a done deal that it would be that type of experience. Standing in a room full of guys that were already through college, Wielbruda was the odd man out.
"I was shrinking in my chair. It was kind of like a moment of questioning if I belonged here," Wielbruda said. "It was a 'trust yourself' moment."
It turns out that the Yuma Scorpions would win the league title that year.
What now?
Season over, Wielbruda a few thousand miles from home and now he was looking for the next opportunity. A meeting with former Los Angeles Dodger and Yuma Scorpions manager, Mike Marshall, proved pivotal.
"He asked, 'you didn't start college did you?' I said 'no, nothing at all.' He said, 'Joe, you're going to college. Stay by your phone and I'll tell you where you are going."
Months later in May Wielbruda found out that the next stop would be Midland, Texas, a city in west Texas where Midland College was located.
"I was thrilled to have a place to go where someone was interested in me," Wielbruda said. "I knew nothing about Texas...it was a very odd way to get there, especially since I wasn't recruited from Youngstown."
Wielbruda thrived in his new home, hitting .428 as a freshman and .429 in his sophomore season at the junior college.
Now, colleges were interested in the 5-11 middle infielder.
"Coastal Carolina was one, Virginia Commonwealth and actually Cleveland State came around," Wielbruda said. "Everything sounded great, but for whatever reason there was something in my gut that didn't feel like they were the right choice."
With UNF needing a second baseman for the 2012 season, that's when the Ospreys came into view.
"My first visit there was to sign papers. It was great. The campus was great and it was an unreal experience," Wielbruda said.
The right-handed bat was immediately inserted into the lineup the following spring. He went on to hit .336 (146-for-435) with 82 runs and 47 RBI over 103 games. Both seasons he finished in the top 50 in the NCAA as being the toughest to strikeout. In 2013 he was an all-conference pick. Joe Wielbruda after getting hit by a pitch in the mouth in an ASUN Championship game (2013)
To the pros
After an internship in the athletics communication department, Wielbruda earned his bachelor's in communication and later received an internship with the New York Yankees.
"That first job couldn't have been a greater experience on how to be a pro and handle the day-to-day," Wielbruda said. "Also, in 2014 it was Derek Jeter's last season and Masahiro Tanaka's arrival, so we had a huge media influx at the time."
To boot, Jason Zillo, New York Yankees vice president of communications and public relations is a Youngstown native.
"The season ended and I thought more in detail about what I wanted to do," Wielbruda said. "I thought this was great, but given my background I wanted to be able to contribute a little bit more to wins and losses and success on the field. Video internships are a really good foot in the door and gateway to furthering yourself and getting immersed in that work."
Applications started to fly and from there he landed a series of positions working as a video coordinator throughout minor league baseball.
After working with the Potomac Nationals, Indianapolis Indians and Staten Island Yankees, Wielbruda moved into his current role as minor league coordinator for the New York Yankees.
When asked what he does for a living, Wielbruda tries to keep it simple.
"You know, I try and keep it as vague as possible," Wielbruda said. "I best describe myself as being a video librarian. I organize video, I organize data. That's really the main basis of my job. Special projects come up, players and coaches need things, but when it comes down to it you're organizing and collecting data and video."
Wielbruda has made his return to Florida, this time in Tampa where he is stationed to work for the organization.
"I take advantage of the nature and outdoor life here in Tampa," Wielbruda said. "I love the views. I rollerblade outside."
While May in pro ball is usually filled to the brim with 12-hour work days, Wielbruda is finding ways to pass the time and stay as productive as possible.
For the whole interview and more detail on all of the adventures along the way, click here >> YouTube Interview
