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Baseball: Klimesh has one more mountain to climb
Former New Trier pitcher Ben Klimesh.
Updated: July 15, 2012 2:30PM
Ben Klimesh isn’t finished proving people wrong.
After getting overlooked in high school, the Wilmette resident and New Trier graduate went on to a historic pitching career at Trinity University in Texas.
Last week, the right-hander was drafted in the 15th round by the Cincinnati Reds and is ready to work his way toward his dream of pitching in the big leagues.
“I was hoping for top 10 (round), but I am just so pleased to be getting an opportunity,” he said. “I will go back out there and prove myself again and climb up through the ranks.
“I truly believe whatever field you’re in you can accomplish anything you want to accomplish, if you stick with it and work hard. You will run into tons of people who don’t believe in you, but you’re the only person that matters.”
Klimesh, the 472nd pick, said last week he was heading out to Arizona for a mini-camp and expected to sign a contract when he arrived. The Reds’ spring training facility is in Goodyear, Ariz.
The Reds own five World Series titles and won the National League Central in 2010.
“I just want to get back out there and start playing again,” Klimesh said.
Klimesh completed his Trinity career as the program’s record-holder for wins (13) and strikeouts (154) in a season. He went 13-3 with a 1.71 ERA as a senior and was selected as the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference player of the year for the second season in a row, as well as being named first team All-America.
Klimesh also broke conference records for career strikeouts and strikeouts in a season. He ranks in the top 10 in Division III history for career strikeouts.
The Tigers went 37-12, tying the school record for wins, and played in the regional final in McMinnville, Ore.
