BY: ANDREW CROWDUS
Staff Writer
In December of 2018, I looked into applying for an usher position with the St. Louis Cardinals. I had heard about this potential opportunity from a family friend and was anxious for the application to open up so I could apply.
When it finally did, I found the position of Home Clubhouse Batboy open as well. I figured it was a long shot thinking I’d have to have connections within the organization to get hired for that type of position. Given this was a boyhood dream of mine, I applied.
I heard back about the usher position and actually was hired before I heard back for an interview for the Batboy position. However, when I was on my way home from a weekend trip I received a phone call from an HR rep with the Cardinals. They said the Home Clubhouse Manager was impressed with my resume and wanted to set up an interview.
I had the interview, and as I walked through the empty Busch Stadium on a cold January day I was in shock. They walked me down the Home Clubhouse, and showed me the clubhouse. They then walked me into a conference room for the interview.
Three weeks later, I received a call from that same HR rep saying that I was hired.
Come April, we worked the season opener. Walking through a busy Busch Stadium on the ground floor not accessible to fans was amazing. As I scanned my ID, and walked into the clubhouse it all became a reality for me.
Growing up in St. Louis, it’s natural for people to love the Cardinals. I am one of those people, but I am also very passionate. I could talk about the Cardinals for hours and not get bored. This job made me an even bigger fan of the game because the experience I had is so rare.
2020 was going to be my second year as a batboy, but when the COVID-19 hit the season was delayed. In July I was told they couldn’t have batboys, and needed to have less clubhouse staff around players and coaches. The hope is that 2021, the season is more normal and there will be fans allowed and I’ll be back out there.
With the hope of being a sportswriter in the future, this job certainly brings experience that is truly unique and rare. It is definitely something that will stand out when I am looking to find a job.
2019 was the best year of my life. I achieved a dream job I had only dreamt about for years. Being on the field for NLCS Game 1, being in the clubhouse during the champagne celebration after we had clinched the NL Central, meeting Hall of Famers are all experiences I will never forget and I’ll be able to share for a long time.
For anyone who thinks their dreams may be too big, don’t be afraid to dream bigger. I never dreamt I’d walk through the Cardinals Clubhouse but that came true. Chase your dreams, and if you’re lucky, they may just become a reality.
