The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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MAY 2019 THE WOLVERINE 15 INSIDE MICHIGAN ATHLETICS Getting To Know Baseball Redshirt Junior Pitcher Benjamin Keizer Baseball redshirt junior pitcher Benjamin Keizer's U-M career got off to a bit of a slow start. He redshirted as a fresh- man before making just three appearances out of the Wol- verine bullpen the following year in 2017. Keizer made seven relief appearances in 2018, however, and then picked up his first career save in a Feb. 24 victory at The Citadel this season. As of May 2, he is enjoying a breakout campaign that has seen him rack up a 2.52 ERA and 3-0 record in a career-high 19 outings, including one start. Here a few other interesting facts you may not have known about Keizer: Nickname: "A lot of people call me by my last name, or just Keiz. Some guys joke around and call me Hardo, because I'm always someone who works hard." Favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor: "There are a lot of places I like. When my friends and family come to town, I usually take them to Frita Batidos — it's a Cuban burger place downtown." Best meal he can cook by himself: "It's pretty basic, but I like to do meat, potatoes and vegetables." Hobbies: "My friends and I like playing spikeball, volley- ball, basketball and euchre. I also enjoy outdoor activities, like hiking and getting out on the water." Favorite TV show: "I actually don't watch much TV unless it's a sporting event." Favorite movie: "I don't know if I can pick just one — there are too many options." Dream vacation: "I've always wanted to go to Australia for some reason. I've been to Colorado and Europe, but I've always wanted to see the culture down in Australia." Favorite place he's been to: "Ann Arbor — I love it here. Northern Michigan in the summer as well; you can't beat it there when you're out on the lake. I have a few friends who have places on Lake Michigan and in the Traverse City area, and my parents have a cottage in Canada as well." Favorite professional athlete: "Derek Jeter. I'm from Por- tage, Mich., and he played high school ball in Kalamazoo, which is just down the street." Role model: "My two older brothers. My oldest brother just turned 26 and walked on to the football team at Michi- gan, and his hard work and dedication have paved the way for me. My other brother is 23 and plays football for the Baltimore Ravens — seeing him pursue his dreams and be the best version of himself while staying humble has been incredible. They've both been big figures in my life, and I've tried to live up to the example they've set for me." Sports he plays besides baseball: "I don't currently play any other ones, though I played basketball in high school." Why he chose Michigan: "It was a no-brainer for me and was always a dream school. My oldest brother went here, and it allowed me to experience the incredible energy and vibe at The Big House for football games. "The community and the amount of people who support the Michigan family is something I always wanted to be a part of. As soon as I got the opportunity from the coaching staff to play here, it was something I couldn't pass up." What he hopes to do after baseball: "I'm currently study- ing sports management and should be graduating in May, though I plan to pursue a Master's degree from the Ross School of Business next year. "I think it'd be cool to someday work as an athletic director or be involved in college athletics somehow. I could also see myself doing community relations in a business aspect or trying to work for a nonprofit that connects with youth while making an impact in the community. "Sports have given me an unbelievable platform to impact people and make a difference in their lives." His overall experience at Michigan: "I thought I had an idea of what I was getting myself into when I committed here, but everything this University has given me has been unbelievable. I've built so many relationships along the way with teammates, coaches and friends, and I'm amazed at how the people here accept everyone with open arms. "Everybody just wants to be the best version of them- selves, and they're all doing it for Michigan. My experience has been nothing short of amazing, and I'm so grateful for the opportunity I've had. I couldn't imagine myself any- where else." — Austin Fox Keizer has two older brothers — the oldest walked on to the Michigan football team and the other plays for the Baltimore Ravens after suiting up at Grand Valley State. PHOTO COURTESY MICHIGAN PHOTOGRAPHY