By Ed Farrell

Herald Assistant Sports Editor



CHARLES BARKLEY balked at the suggestion: Professional athletes as role-models?

Years ago while an NBA star, Barkley pointed to parents as primary role-models for their kids. But despite the benefit of time spent reflecting upon Barkley’s contention, my emotions remain mixed. That’s because I recently witnessed both sides of that sentiment.

I enjoyed an evening spent with Greenville native Nolan Reimold recently, and his appearance at the Passavant Center on Thiel College’s campus convinced me of this: Blessed by the benefits of a beautiful family in which his God-given athletic ability flourished, he consequently made it to the major leagues. And based on his production this season for the Baltimore Orioles, Reimold is in consideration for American League rookie of the year award which will be announced by The Associated Press.

Judging by how he comported himself and from the reaction of several hundred youngsters in attendance that night, Reimold is a role-model. By extension, that reflects favorably on his parents, John and Mary, and siblings John, Shamus and Dierdre.

“I think having support is the key to anybody’s success,” Reimold remarked. “I was fortunate enough to have a great family growing up, my mom and dad — thank you — and also having brothers and a sister there to cheer me on for support. ... I’m very blessed to be in the family that I am, and very thankful.”

Beginning with his mid-May call-up from Class AAA Norfolk, the righthanded-hitting Reimold remained in the Orioles’ everyday lineup as their starting left fielder. He was chosen as the AL’s rookie of the month for June, and in 104 games hit .279 with 15 home runs, 45 RBI and 49 runs scored. Factoring in 47 walks and 167 total bases his on-base and slugging percentages were .365 and .466, respectively. His season was short-circuited in mid-September by an Achilles tendon inflammation that deteriorated to a diagnosis of a 25 percent tear. It required surgery that was deemed successful, and he has been re-habbing 5 days a week with the expectation of being fully recovered by the start of spring training in mid-Feburary.

Baltimore manager Dave Trembley penciled Reimold into the daily lineup — sometimes as the DH, owing to the injury — anywhere from the No. 2 to No. 7 holes, contingent upon a variety of variables. While Reimold’s 1st- and 2nd-half production was consistent, his power numbers waned slightly after the All-Star break.

“I was fortunate enough to get up to the big leagues and have some success right away,” Reimold related, “and it was only a matter of time before you have those rough patches. And how you deal with the adversity of those rough patches is what makes you a good ballplayer. So I knew if I kept doing my thing — looking at films, getting in the (batting) cage — eventually I’d break out of it. But that’s part of the game, being in a slump. You’ve just got to be able to deal with it.

“Baseball’s definitely the most mental sport,” the 6-foot-4, 205-pounder said. “In baseball you’ve got to be the most mentally strong because everybody goes through the rough patches where you wonder if you’re ever going to get a hit again. It’s just a matter of being persistent and working hard and trying to get out of it.”

While enjoying the city of Baltimore and endearing himself to Orioles’ fans — 10,000 Reimold T-shirts were distributed as part of a pre-game promotion, though he admitted with a chuckle that, on the street, he’s seldom recognized — Reimold said, “For me, not too much (changed), ’cause I’m not a city person; I enjoy the small-town atmosphere from here in Greenville. Being in Baltimore, it’s a lot more hectic, more commotion ... but for me, I really didn’t stray too far from the field — it was pretty much just baseball for me the whole time I was there.”

Reflecting on his ’09 season Reimold related, “It’s more like building off of this year. I got my feet wet this year, established myself a little bit, so I don’t want to run into that sophomore jinx. So this offseason I’ll do everything I can to be prepared going into the (2010) season; just build off of what I did this year and, hopefully, get better.”

Here’s hoping that happens.

“In the big leagues, everything’s more amplified,” Reimold admitted. “What you do on the field, what you do off the field — everything. There’s that part of it, then there’s also the part on the field, where you’re going up against the best players in the world.”

Reimold recently turned 26, and I gained a glimpse of just how much he’s matured into manhood since I first met him. At one point a panelist asked him why he wears No. 14 for the Orioles. Admittedly, it was issued to him when he initially joined the parent club — and after wearing No. 60 in spring training, he wasn’t about to complain. However he related, “I was actually fortunate to get a good number, but it worked out really well, because ... a good friend in high school (former Kennedy Catholic High basketball teammate) Nick George died. He wore number 14, so my brother wore number 14 in college (playing for Bowling Green University) for him. And then when I got up to the big leagues I ended up getting number 14. If I had to pick a number, it probably would’ve been that.”

Reimold’s road remains a work in progress.

“Being away from home, friends, family, being on the road, living out of hotels definitely takes its toll on you,” he admitted, “but I think when it’s all said and done I really can’t complain about anything.

“I look back on the season that I had, and wouldn’t change anything, and I’m very happy and appreciative for the opportunity that I’ve been given.

“I’m not really big on the spotlight,” Reimold related. “The biggest adjustment, probably, is off the field, getting used to all the interviews, all the attention. ... When I got up I had a good friend who got (to the big leagues) last year, and the advice he gave me was: ‘It’s the same game you’ve been playing your whole life; it’s just a different atmosphere.’

“It’s something that you work for your whole life, it’s something that everybody wants to be — if you love baseball,” he continued. “I can’t say I have any regrets ... ’cause I love where I’m at, and I’m appreciative of the chance to play in the big leagues.

“Looking back, this is exactly where I want to be in life, so I’m very happy,” he added. “ ... If I had the dream job, I’m doing it. I’m very content with where I’m at, and it’s good to have people that are happy for me, too. So I’m very thankful that there’s people out there — like everybody here tonight, my family. It’s good to have a lot of support.”

With all due respect to how the Baseball Writers Association of America votes, the ’09 AL rookie of the year grew up in Greenville, made his mark on Mercer County, moved on to the major leagues, and now is a respected role-model for youngsters.

I’m not proud of Nolan Reimold because he’s the starting left fielder for the Baltimore Orioles; I’m proud of Nolan Reimold because he’s the starting left fielder for the Baltimore Orioles and, at heart, has remained the same sweet kid, true to his upbringing.