Tobi Stoner is the first player from the school to make it to Major League Baseball.
It’s October and that means one thing for baseball fans-the World Series is approaching.
Eight teams vie for the championship.
The New York Mets is not one of them. But Tobi Stoner is still thrilled about his first season with the Mets.
“I love challenges. Being up here, I am learning a lot,” he said, “you are never better than the game. There is always room for improvement.”
Stoner is an alumnus of Davis and Elkins College in Elkins. He graduated in 2006.
He’s the first player from the school to ever make it to the big leagues, and the 17th from the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
Stoner pitched most of the season on the Mets’ minor league teams in Buffalo and Binghamton, NY.
But in early September, he got the call every player dreams about-he was going to New York City to pitch for the Mets.
“It was a great feeling,” he said.
Stoner is a relief pitcher for the Mets, coming in late in games to help after the starter gets tired.
He pitched nine innings this season. In four games, the opposing team made nine hits and scored four runs.
He wants to improve those numbers.
He hopes to remain on the team next season and not get sent back to the minor leagues.
Stoner speaks highly of his old coach at D&E, and encourages all players from smaller schools to never give up on their baseball dreams.
“I hope other players realize they do have a chance,” he said.
“Have the right game, perform the best you have ever had, and hopefully you get noticed.”
At Davis and Elkins, Stoner received conference honors for both his pitching and as a shortstop.
During his senior year, Stoner’s batting average was one of the highest in conference history.