Ex-Pros in the MSBL: Teddy Dziuba, Boston Men’s Baseball League
By Steve LaMontia, Director of Communications
Teddy Dziuba is an ex-professional ball player who currently is a catcher in the Boston Men’s Baseball League under the MSBL banner. He has had the luxury of catching for Tom Glavine, Billy Wagner Johan Santana and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez. We are going to periodically publish a Q & A with some of our MSBL ex-pros in the days ahead. Below is what Teddy had to say.
Name and home? Teddy Dziuba, Hometown: Wayne, NJ. Currently residing in Medford, MA
Professional history? Drafted by the NY Mets in the 33rd round of the 2006 MLB First Year Player’s Draft. Played for three seasons in the Mets minor league system for five different affiliates from Rookie Ball to AA. (Kingsport Mets, Brooklyn Cyclones, Savannah Sand Gnats, St. Lucie Mets, Binghamton Mets)
League you participate in? Boston Men’s Baseball League – MSBL National 28+
Position? Catcher
What year your MSBL participation began? Got back into Amateur baseball following my release in 2008, and have been playing in the MSBL since 2014
Do you participate in any MSBL national tournaments? I play 70+ games across three amateur teams every summer, so my wife pulls rank in the fall! Maybe this is the year I can convince her to let me travel in October…
Who did you look up to in MLB when you were growing up? As a Yankee Fan from NJ who grew up in the 90’s, I was all about “The Captain”. (Derek Jeter)
Who was your favorite player to play with? I was lucky enough to catch some of the best pitchers of our generation (Tom Glavine, Billy Wagner, Johan Santana, Orlando Hernandez) but if I had to pick one guy, catching Pedro Martinez was probably the highlight of my time in the pro’s. I was in St. Lucie, FL while Pedey was on his way back from shoulder surgery and I got to help him with his rehab throughout 2007. Even at the end of his career, his changeup was still dancing and we ate steaks every night!
Who impressed you the most when you played? Daniel Murphy is the best hitter I’ve ever had the pleasure of playing with. Not only was he an incredible talent, but his work ethic was second to none. Always the first guy in the cages and last guy to leave the locker room at the end of the night. Only hitter I ever saw who kept a journal of every pitcher he faced. He was a genuine student of the game and talking hitting with him was an absolute treat.
Who was the most influential coach/manager you ever had (ie: Little League, HS, College, Pros)? My college coach (Matt Noone – Babson College) turned me into the man I am today, and to see what he has done with the program (Top 5 Division III ranking, College World Series) is remarkable.
Is there a particular humorous incident you wish to share? None that are PG-13 enough to share over the internet…
What do you like best about playing MSBL baseball? My pro career left a really bad taste in my mouth, and I swore I was done with baseball when I got released in 2008. The lack of playing time, and my inability to do much in the few chances I was given, was hard to swallow coming off a college career where I didn’t miss a start in four years. The MSBL and the other fantastic amateur baseball leagues around Greater Boston helped me remember what I love about this game. The camaraderie with your teammates, getting to compete with other top-tier ballplayers, and just smashing baseballs in general…it is simply the best game there is. The game means more to me now as an amateur than it ever did while I was earning a paycheck to play it.