More Than Baseball on his Mind
Posted April 17th, 2007 by Stephanie Storm
Aeros catcher Wyatt Toregas spent a good portion of Monday on his cell phone calling friends and family to make sure everyone was alright after hearing about the shooting rampage that happened earlier in the day at Virgina Tech - his alma mater.
“To see the footage on TV, it really hit home,” said Toregas, who was selected by the Indians in the 24th round of the 2004 draft out of the school. “I’m thinking, ‘That’s the building I used to go to math class at. That’s the dorm I lived in during my freshman year.’ Luckily, everyone I know who are still there were all O.K.”
The 5-foot-11, 200-pounder is as nice a guy as you’ll ever meet. He’s a good kid, with a mature head on his shoulders. Toregas is also a rising star in the Indians minor-league system. He’s reponsible enough to know he as to be focused every game - not only for himself, but for the pitcher who depends on him every night.
Yet, there was no mistaking that the events on Monday back home shook him. Toregas was born in Fairfax, Va. He lives in Ashburn, Va. Two off seasons ago, he said he went back to live near school in Blacksburg simply because he missed the place.
Although he’s three years removed from playing at Va. Tech, Toregas still has friends on campus, including players who were red shirt freshmen when he was a senior. He said his younger sister goes to school near Blacksburg, and is on campus often.
“I still have school to finish up after my baseball career is over,” Toregas said. “I can’t envision myself not being there. Blacksburg is a beautiful place, and the people there are really good people.”
Despite the tragedy, Toregas hopes we don’t forget that.
April 18th, 2007 at 1:39 am
One of the things I love about your blog is how you can inject personal thoughts into the Aeros news, especially because these are young men, hopefully future Indians, we’re just getting to know. These are poignant details about Wyatt Toregas - our prayers are with him as well as the entire Va. Tech community. Another thing I love about blogging is the infinite space you have to write - some of us can’t get enough Aeros news and are sometimes disappointed with such brief stories in the paper!
April 18th, 2007 at 6:28 am
K.J. that is precisely why I was eager to start this blog. Some days I have so much information, we couldn’t dream of getting it all in the paper. Now, I have that outlet. But it’s important to hear from you and other fans so I’m aware of what topics/players you’re interested in or other baseball subjects you’d like to dicuss. I’m all ears.
Keep reading!
April 19th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
I love to read these blogs about the Aeros. I am new to this one. This is my second time here. I love to get to know these players. I also love how at Canal Park how close you can get to the players and talk to them and get to know them. I am down there everytime to get their autgoraph and say hi. It is hard to do that in Cleveland with the players. Sometimes we forget these are normal people like you and I because we see these famous and soon to be famous players and put them high on a pedestal. We need to be reminded of how normal they really are.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:43 am
N.K. You make a good point. One of the things I’ve always tried to do in my writing over the years (I’ve covered minor league baseball for three different papers the last 12 years now) is let the readers see the human side of the players. Our new format in the paper lends itself to that approach as well.
Also, we are truly blessed to have a Double-A team so close and available - especially one that feeds into the home town Cleveland Indians. It gives us the benefit of getting to know these players while they still feel “normal” if you will, meaning before they become rich and famous.
April 22nd, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Will Wyatt Toregas get to wear at Virgina Tech hat or patch on his uniform like we’ve seen so many pro athletes do this last week? Will the whole team do something like that? I think it’s great that MLB, NASCAR and others have allowed athletes to show their support this way. I wonder how long it will last and if it will carry on down to the minor leagues.
April 24th, 2007 at 10:29 am
K.J. brings up a very point I admittedly hadn’t thought of. I’ll ask Toregas when the teams returns to Akron Friday if he’s doing anything special for his alama mater. It is my understanding that there were two players in the Eastern League - Toregas and another on Erie’s roster - with ties to Va. Tech. A little path on their uniforms or something would be a nice touch. But keep in mind that at Double-A sometimes players are wearing uniforms that are patched just from use. With money tight, players need to wear them out before they’re given new ones. MLB and NASCAR have a little more money to work with in putting on such fitting tributes. Still, a little quote under his cap or initials on his shoes might be something Toregas is already doing. Stay tuned…