#12
Bob Fink
Nickname: Robert John
Bat/Throw: R/R
Birthday: 4/25
Years Playing With The Tigers: 1992 - present ~ 28th year of playing amateur baseball
Position(s): OF/DH
High School/Graduation Year: Melrose High School - Class of 1984
College: North Dakota State School of Science, Fergus Falls Community College, St. Cloud State University
Family: wife: Heidi, children: Alex, Taylor and Isaac
Job: Teacher/Coach/Owner of Educational Resources of MN
Best Part Of Playing Amateur Baseball: Impossible to narrow it down to one thing...competing, playing with players that I have coached, dugout talk, after the game social gatherings, listening to stories told by Kyle and Brady, it's a game that keeps me feeling young, playing playoff baseball, having my family in the stands watching, friendships developed over the years, and finally, watching Davis go off on umpires.
Most Memorable Game, At Any Level, You've Been A Part Of : Many years ago, young phenom golfer Johnny Larson was our bat boy. On the way to a ball game at Courtland the young sixth grade lad asked me if I would hit a homerun in this game. In shock and disbelief for being asked such an ignorant question, I immediately looked at the young, inspiring golfer and said, "Just tell me which at bat and which pitch you would like me to hit one." With Johnny's face turning red he replied, "I would like you to hit a homerun in your third at bat on the third pitch." I looked at this future golfer and said consider it done and then added the following: I will also do a Babe Ruth before the pitch and point to where I will hit the homerun. It is now the top of the seventh in a tight one to one ballgame and I have a 0-2 count. I look into the dugout at young, smiling Johnny and then raise my bat slowly pointing it toward leftcenter field. He along with others began laughing. The high and tight fastball that I anticipated came and I ripped it exactly where I said I would for a homerun. As I was trotting around the bases, I looked into the dugout and saw that my teammates were literally on the ground laughing and young Johnny was already off in a full sprint retrieving the homerun ball. I still have this baseball and Johnny Larson's signature is on it. Unfortunately, this story does not have a happy ending. The next time up, I got plunked in the head on the very first pitch for doing my Babe Ruth imitation...and by the way Willie and Sturmy...I did not scream! The other game I will always remember is one I was not apart of. Ryan Sturm texted me to get my butt down to his game to watch St. Cloud State play Mankato State. He told me if I came, he would go yard the second game and take over the game by himself. Well, gosh darn it, reluctantly I went and sure enough Ryan did exactly what he said...Bottom line....Ryan Sturm is a stud!
Baseball Rule, At Any Level, You'd Like To See Changed: I believe that Gold Bond should be outlawed at all levels of baseball...that stuff can hurt you.
Favorite MLB Team: Marty's Team... the Minnesota Twins
Favorite Baseball Player Of All Time: I would have to say my favorite baseball player of all time is a seed salesman by the name of Christopher Sturm. His ability to articulate his thoughts and feelings about baseball, farming, and women put him in a league of his own. A close second would be my man, Brandon Wilhelmi. He never backs down from a challenge, loves to compete, he loves pressure situations and perhaps most importantly, he voted for me as his favorite baseball player of all time! Who can argue with that???
Thoughts On The Home Run Chris Sturm Gave Up At St. Stephen: Unfortunately, I was not at this game and was not his catcher, but that does not mean I cannot share my thoughts. Young Chris called me hours after he gave up the long ball. He reached me by cell at approximately 3:30 in the morning. He told me he needed to talk and as a teammate, future farmer and friend, I was there for him. In a emotional, quivering voice, he told me it was just another routine fly ball that happened to get caught up in a jet-stream of wind and carried just barely over the 315 foot sign. According to Chris, if the left fielder at the time would have had any vertical at all the ball would have been easily caught. I was also informed that the batter was using an aluminium bat which unfortunately the umpire did not notice. Hey brothers....I believe that we need to run Chris Sturm back onto the mound so he can prove he is more than just a preacher, farmer, ladies man and seed salesman....he is a legitimate pitcher who Tomahawk baseball teams will fear for years to come.
Parting Thoughts: 1. Institute the DH rule in the National League. 2. Take the time to read the parting thoughts written by Ryan Sturm...you got to be kidding me! 3. See you at the fire!!!!