by David Sutton
Sports Editor
Although a 15-year veteran of the game, Brock Whobrey’s baseball career almost came to a halt this season when his father suffered a stroke in February. All of a sudden, baseball became secondary.
“I considered not playing anymore. I was not having a good time. I was not into the game, mentally or physically,” said Whobrey, the Leopards’ shortstop.
He credits his friend and teammate Jeff Polinsky for helping him through the tough times he has endured this season. Whobrey now feels that he is playing the best baseball of his life.
Although Whobrey is enjoying a good season he has not always been so happy playing the game.
After graduating from Bonita High School in 1992, Whobrey went to Citrus College to play baseball.
“Baseball was year-round there. I got burned out,” he said. Whobrey then found himself at La Verne.
The laid-back attitude of Head Coach Owen Wright is something Whobrey enjoys. “He [Wright] makes you work for yourself. He does not get on you,” said Whobrey.
Wright himself feels that Whobrey is one of the top 10 players to ever play at La Verne. “When he came to play here there was no way I could sit him on the bench. He reads the game very well,” said Wright.
With thoughts of his father in his head, it became apparent that Whobrey was not the same player on the field. “He made errors that he would not have usually made,” said Wright. Although Whobrey’s batting average dropped from .400 last year to .338 this year, those are still good numbers to have.
“He just hung in,” said Wright.
Reflecting on the Leos’ perfect conference record this year, Whobrey says the pressure did not get to him. “I tried to put the pressure out of my head,” he said.
He believes that the first victories over Cal Lutheran and Redlands sparked his team, as well as a few of his teammates. “Mike Smith and Pete Loazia really have sparked our team this year. They have kept us going,”said Whobrey.
With the recent baseball strike, many men thought that they had a chance to be in the majors. But Whobrey says that if he had gotten the call, he would not have gone. If he ever gets to that level of play he wants to do it the old-fashioned way—work for it. “I will take my lumps like all the others,” he said.
Perhaps the best moment of the season for Whobrey was this past Saturday when his father was able to make it to the game.
Whobrey has had a lot to think about this season, and through it all he has managed to put together one of his most complete seasons.
He has been selected to the second team all-SCIAC roster. “It is a good honor. It is nice to be recognized,” said Whobrey.
If his career ends at La Verne he will be ready for the world with his degree in business when he graduates in 1997. “I want my education, that is why I am here,” said Whobrey.
In the late future Whobrey hopes to open up his own business or perhaps coach someday.
Whobrey’s preparation for the future began early. He worked for In ‘N’ Out from the time he was 16 through last year, and tries to secure his future through investments.
David Sutton
