|
|
|
|
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Robb Quinlan
St. Paul, MN
|
|
|
He was born in Maplewood, Minnesota, attended Hill-Murray School and then graduated from the University of Minnesota. Robb Quinlan is now having success at the Major League level playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
Quinlan comes from a very close family. He is the youngest of three siblings. His parents, Tom Sr. and Marilyn, also raised his two brothers Tom Jr. and Craig, who were exceptional athletes in high school and college as well. Oldest brother Tom played third base in the major leagues for six years. Robb mentions that his family members were the biggest influence in his life growing up. “I always looked up to my family and am thankful for them. My best childhood memories were spending time with my family at my grandparents’ cabin.”
After graduating from Hill-Murray in 1995, Quinlan went on to play baseball for John Anderson and the University of Minnesota. He played several positions in college, and in 1999, his senior year, he was named the Big Ten Conference Player of Year and All-League first baseman. He batted .413 with 16 home runs and 84 RBI in 64 games as a Gopher.
After graduating with a degree in Marketing and Communications, Quinlan was drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 10th round of the 1999 amateur draft. He spent four years playing for Anaheim’s (minor league) AAA club the Salt Lake Bees before being promoted full time with the Angels organization in 2003.
Now in his fifth year with the Angels, Quinlan is a highly experienced utility player, very capable of playing first base, third base and the outfield.
Commenting on his style of play, Quinlan states, “Even in college, I never hit the huge home runs, my style isn’t flashy. The part of my game I’ve always taken pride in is if I come to the plate with runners on base, I try to drive in runs, move guys over, whatever the situation calls for.” He realizes that he has to do those types of things if he wants to continue to play at the major league level, and so far, he has done just that.
Quinlan played baseball for longtime North St. Paul American Legion (Post 39) coach Ron Adams, and Adams states: “Whenever I gathered the players together for a team meeting, giving instructions on the field, or simply assigning responsibilities for clean-up after games or practices, Robb was always front and center. He listened attentively, respected the game and coaches and always wanted to learn more.”
Quinlan recalls that his childhood hero, besides his close-knit family members, was always Kirby Puckett. As a great ball player, it was his smile and laughter on the field that set him apart. Quinlan hopes to represent himself the same way and lives by his motto to have fun no matter what he’s doing. His success on the field over the last couple of years should make it easier than ever for Quinlan to do that.
|
|
| No comments added! Click [ add a comment ] to be the first! |
|
|
|
™
®
