Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - A professional baseball player from Central New York is making a comeback, but not on the field. While on the disabled list, pitcher Jason Grilli is doing something he hasn't done before: completing work on his college degree.
And in order for Grilli to obtain his degree, he won't even need to step on a college campus.
Central New Yorkers may recall watching Grilli as a teenager playing for the Baldwinsville Bees. Grilli is back, but not physically. Grilli is using technology to take classes at Le Moyne.
Grilli didn't attend Le Moyne as an undergraduate. He went to Seton Hall until an opportunity to play Major League Baseball appeared. When he decided he wanted to go back to get his degree online, Seton Hall said no, but Le Moyne said yes.
Grilli has played professionally for Detroit, Colorado, and now Cleveland. He's currently rehabbing from knee surgery, during which time he's going back to school.
"Understanding what his schedule is as a major league player, and it overlapping the full time semesters, but this is not the norm," said Cathy Anderson, assistant director of admissions, referring to the method Grilli is using to take the class in sports marketing using a device he's also helping to market, a videophone known as
Globalinx.
"I think he has a lot to offer after all he's seen from a sports marketing standpoint," said Le Moyne Professor John Considine.
"Dr. Considine and Le Moyne was kind enough to let me pursue my degree 'cause I left school early," said Grilli.
Grilli doesn't have too far to go to earn enough credits for graduation. He says he is focusing on life after the Major Leagues.
In all, Grilli has pitched in the majors for five different teams, with a record of 18 wins and 18 loses.
