Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM APRIL 2022 51 IRISH IN THE PROS BY TODD D. BURLAGE A n accomplished MLB outfielder, a World Series winner, an All-Star and a Gold Glove winner, former Notre Dame standout A.J. Pollock had it all, until almost exactly two years ago. On March 19, 2020, Pollock and his wife, Kate, welcomed their daughter Maddi Mae. However, she was born three months premature, weighed one pound, six ounces, and upon delivery was whisked away for incubation. Maddi had a heart- beat, so there was hope. "You know there's going to be so many challenges," A.J. Pollock shared in a story for ESPN.com. "You're just staring at her, and she's so small." Fast-forward to spring 2022, and A.J.'s wife and daughter — who fit in the palm of papa's hand at birth — are healthy and well. And dad is ready to finally put personal worries aside and pick up where he left off last season when he hit .297 with 21 home runs and 69 RBI in 117 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers. A Hebron, Conn., native, Pollock forever remains one of Notre Dame's greats. During his final season as a junior in 2009, the do-it-all standout bat- ted .352 and became only the second Irish player to lead the team in average over three consecutive years. Pollock also made no errors on 159 defensive chances and was 21 of 25 stealing bases that season. A first-round draft pick of the Ari- zona Diamondbacks in 2009, Pollock, 34, spent seven years with the " big club" (2012-18) before landing with the Dodgers in 2019, where he won a World Series ring in 2020. Pollock was also a National League All-Star and Gold Glove winner in 2015. And with 895 games played over 10 seasons, 890 career hits, 126 home runs, 414 RBI and 119 stolen bases, Pollock is the most accomplished of the Notre Dame alumni playing in the MLB. Following is a thumbnail look at the former Irish players with a shot at play- ing in the majors this season: • Brandon Bielak, RHP, Houston Astros: A versatile pitcher on the rise, the 25-year-old has worked as both a starter and reliever during his two sea- sons with the Astros … In 40 career ap- pearances (eight starts), he is 6-7 with a 5:38 ERA. • Cavan Biggio, INF, Toronto Blue Jays: Appeared in 79 games and hit .224 with seven home runs and 27 RBI in 2021 … Finished fifth in the 2019 AL Rookie of the Year voting … The 26-year-old has played in 238 career games and hit .235 with 31 home runs. • Sean Guenther, LHP, Miami Marlins: The 26-year-old flame- throwing reliever made his MLB debut in 2021 … Appeared in 14 games and al- lowed a base runner in 12 of them, while going 0-1 with a 9.30 ERA. • Trey Mancini, 1B/OF, Baltimore Orioles: After missing all of the 2020 season fighting cancer, returned to action last season and played in 147 games with 21 home runs, 71 RBI and a .255 batting average … The 29-year-old has hit .271 with 107 homers in 609 career games. • David Phelps, RHP, Toronto Blue Jays: Logged 10 1 ⁄3 innings in 11 games last season and had an 0.87 ERA before surgery on a pulled muscle in his back ended his season in May … The 35-year-old is 34-38 with a 3.90 ERA in 302 career appearances (66 starts). • Peter Solomon, RHP, Houston Astros: The 25-year-old pitched 14 in- nings over six relief appearances, in- cluding three September outings, dur- ing his MLB debut season in 2021 … Was 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA. • Matt Vierling, OF/1B, Philadel- phia Phillies: Worked his way through the minors last season and made a splash in the Phillies' lineup with 23 hits — including six for extra bases — in 77 plate appearances last year … The 25-year-old batted .324 with two hom- ers in his first 34 career games. ✦ Pollock hit .297 with 21 home runs and 69 RBI for the Dodgers last season. PHOTO BY JON SOOHOO/COURTESY LOS ANGELES DODGERS A.J. Pollock Ready For Another World Series Run