On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, Mets pitcher Stephen Nogosek got the call every young Hard 90 player dreams of - an opportunity to join the MLB club. Stephen was a standout player for the Hard 90 Rival, USA Baseball, Woodcreek High School and the University of Oregon. In 2016, Stephen was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 6th round and traded to the Mets in 2017.
Long before he got the call, Stephen was a star of the Hard 90 Rival team that came in second in the 104 team Cooperstown Dreamspark tournament in 2007. Hard 90 Founder, Rick "Sudsy" Sundberg recalls that Nogosek missed a walk-off home run in the last inning of the championship game by inches.
At team practice, Coach Sudsy shared with current Hard 90 players memories of Nogosek, a talented quarterback at Woodcreek play a tackle football game in the morning and then a tournament baseball game in the afternoon. A true testament to the dedication and commitment to the "grind" by both Stephen and his parents.
Big congratulations to Stephen and the Nogosek family on this outstanding accomplishment.