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December 2011

EFIELDHOUSE.COM
AAA Toledo Mudhen All Conference at Eastern Michigan College Graduate Business Owner Business Consultant

Anthony Tomey
What was it like when you found out you were drafted by the Detroit Tigers? I was at school (Eastern Michigan) in the dorms with my roommates and girlfriend at the time when I received a phone call from the Detroit Tigers. I was really happy about getting drafted by the Tigers since I had been a big fan since I was young. I had talked to them

From Reliever to Business Owner


prior to the draft, but I was never certain until I received that call. It was a great moment; however, I was a little disappointed getting drafted so low. I had a great senior year at Eastern Michigan and had also been drafted out of high school, which made me think Id go higher than the 30th round. Either way, I couldnt wait to get started with my pro career. I did not. I was 3 classes short but I denitely wanted to nish. I applied for a scholarship after playing which covered the costs of tuition at Eastern. I nished up the fall/winter after my rst year of pro ball. Im so happy I nished. No one will ever be able to take that away from me. When you signed your contract, did you have your degree?

EFIELDHOUSE.COM December 2011

What were your goals as a professional baseball player? I had my eyes set on the Big Leagues all the way. I started in Oneonta which was the short season level for the Tigers. I started my pro career as a starter and had a very good rst year. I was feeling great! The next few years also went well, but as a reliever. From

Pitcher and Business Owner


come up until the spring of 2008. Do you have a favorite story from your playing days? I played for Matt Walbeck at West Michigan - low A. After the rst half of the season we were in dead last place. We stunk! One of our coordinators EZ came in and said this would be our last seasons with the Tigers if we didnt get it together. We denitely got it together in the second half. After July 29th we nished the season 31-6 and won the championship. For me, the thought of losing my job was really motivating. I basically took the attitude Ill show you. two of my favorite coaches while I was in the organization. Least favorite memory? I was in trenton NJ, Double A and just nished pitching 2 innings. I gave up 0 hits, 0 runs and was really happy how I pitched. However, while in the locker room, I got a tap on the shoulder, Skip needs to see you in his office. I knew something was up. I met with our manager in the office which is when he told me I would be done playing for the Tigers. pitchers. He had a knack for putting us in to situations that we could handle. They were

Anthony Tomey

2005 - 2007 I pitched great! I had a personal best 1.9 era and over the entire three year period never had and era over 3.0. On top of that, I had more strikeouts than innings pitched every year, so to me the Big Leagues were a denite possibility. The thought of not making the big leagues didnt Matt Walbeck and AJ Sager were really positive coaches. Matt was always a players coach. He never gave up on us and always had a great attitude. AJ always knew what situations worked for the What were your coaches like?

Currently managing 8 Jimmy Johns Restaurants.

EFIELDHOUSE.COM December 2011

Hearing that your dream is basically over is a terrible thing to hear. All of my teammates were disappointed and surprised. They consoled me that night with a proper night out on the town. One of the hardest parts of leaving was leaving the friends that I became so close with. Had it ever crossed your mind that you would not make the big leagues? After three years in the organization I felt great! I pitched well in AAA Toledo in 2007 and thought I had a really good chance to make it. I was receiving good feedback from coaches and everything. However, in 2008 I knew something was up when I didnt go to Toledo (AAA) to start the season. My role also started to change. I was no longer pitching as a set up man and started to struggle. I went from feeling on top of the world to feeling helpless. That was very difficult to go through. It was humbling.

Anthony and Dan Zell - Erie Sea Wolves, 2008


Had you done anything to prepare for that day? Not really mentally, but I had started some other things on the side with my family. In 2003 I came up with the idea of starting a Jimmy Johns franchise. I worked with my father and uncle and we collectively opened our rst shop that year. I did everything. I worked the line, cleaned the store, worked with people, everything. I had always had ownership/management in mind but knew I needed to learn the ropes rst before taking on that role. I also didnt want to be a manager while playing. My main goal was still to make the Big Leagues! We opened our second store in 2005 and I started to gain in responsibility. We opened a third in 2006, forth in 2007 and four more over the next four years. I even helped out fellow Detroit Tiger, Dan Zell start his own store, which is doing really well now in Tampa.

EFIELDHOUSE.COM December 2011

Its really impressive how youve built your business. Do you have some kind of magic? I wouldnt call it magic. Most importantly you have to want to work hard. Secondly, you have to have a good game plan. Thirdly, you have to have a good staff. Can you tell us more about your game plan? For our business to be successful, we believed it was all about location. We also didnt want to just put our stores in heavily populated areas. We wanted them in business populated areas. Then, after getting set up we would give away free samples to all of the businesses in the areas. Marketing was huge. Do you have a favorite sandwich? #9 Italian Night Club. I recommend always getting it with avocado and a side of Jalapeo chips.

Do you have a plan for the next 5 years? We are opening two more stores this coming year and

As a former player and current businessman do you have any advice for other players looking for something after baseball?

then thinking about going out of state. It denitely depends on the opportunities that come up. Im alway open to new ideas. Will you need any help with the stores? Im always looking for help. However, if youre looking to get into management, prepare to start from the ground up. If someone is interested in an ownership position, Id be willing to talk with them also.

Denitely nish your degree. Its something no one will ever take from you. Then Id say dont put all of your eggs in one basket. Start thinking about what you want to do after baseball, make the necessary steps and then execute. However, dont let your dreams slip away either. Work your butt off to get to the Big Leagues and if you dont make it, at least youll be ready when that time comes. If youre interested in restaurant management or need some part time work, let me know. Im on eFieldHouse!

EFIELDHOUSE.COM December 2011

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Matt Righter


Publisher

Doreen Cappelaere Editor Anthony Tomey and Photography Friends eFieldHouse would not exist without our contributors. We thank them for their time, generosity, and wisdom. Youre given the unlimited right to print and distribute this article and we encourage you to share it. You may not alter this in any way though, and you may not charge for it or for any of the content. The copyright in this work belongs to the publisher, who is solely responsible for the content. All images have been provided by Anthony Tomey and Friends and have been used with their permission.

Anthony Tomey, Oneonta 2004

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