I know something about Brian Dodd. He’s my son-in-law. He knows baseball. More importantly he knows how to guide and motivate young people. He knows how to instill character. He knows that team chemistry nurtures both baseball and human skills. He knows that when balance is achieved, good things happen for teams.
And they did.
Along with Mike Burrola, Brian led these young men through a journey of experience few will ever know. An experience that’s beyond baseball that sets a stage for all that happens in life. An experience that reinforces that commitment, responsibility, respect and unity achieves goals. Parents and good families mold youth. Great coaches strengthen that mold.
And he did.
Now a few tid-bits you may not know. Brian has a bit less hair than he did out of Greenway High School in 1984. There he lettered multiple times in football and basketball in addition to baseball. He was named to the All Arizona Baseball Team. First Team All State Pitcher and Designated Hitter. West Valley Player of the Year and drafted by The Cleveland Indians.
During three years with the “older days” Subia Baseball, a particular accomplishment of Brian’s was meeting my daughter. She loves baseball too you know. But despises the name Patricia. Patty is more to her liking. In later years came Junior who also loves baseball. And then Brittney who loves baseball not so much. But is a well-decorated competitive dancer, she has her own unique skills. Family life?
He did that good too.
Back to baseball. Brian was my star pitcher on the 1984 World’s Champion Babe Ruth Team. In Jamestown, New York, he was named to the All World Series Tournament Team. Along that ride he was selected to the West Regional All Tournament Team in Santa Maria, California.
Having been originally ignored by Arizona State, he accepted a baseball scholarship to Lubbock Christian University in 1985 where he relished his pitching victory over the Sun Devils. A distinction he likes to forget was giving up the longest homerun in ASU Packard Stadium history to Barry Bonds. The ball may still be somewhere in the Salt River.
In 1987, ASU decided it was best to have Brian on their side and gave him a baseball scholarship to “come back home”. However, a technical transfer issue brought an interim year at Mesa Community College. Returning to ASU in 1988 he became a starting rotation mainstay and became the Six Pac ERA leader at 2.01.
During his ASU collegiate career, Brian led the conference in pickoffs and pitched a 9-0 no-hitter against The University of Tennessee. He was an ESPN Player of The Game for his performance against Wichita State University at the 1988 College World Series. Unfortunately ASU finished second to champion, Stanford University.
He was drafted by the California Angels in 1988 and by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1989. Partly because of shoulder surgery and desire to commit to a “family career”, Brian chose not to play professional baseball. He completed his Degree in Business Administration in four years and was one of a few that received the Citibank Scholar Athletic Award for Academic Achievement.
Being a bit humble, Brian rarely discusses his achievements. So I’m doing it for him. He epitomizes the same qualities you notice about this 2004 Subia Team. Tenacity, commitment, citizenship and class both on and off the baseball field. Transferring those attributes was Brian’s greatest gift to this team.
He did it well.
Tony Subia
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