A former Uber driver just signed a $9.25 million contract with the Minnesota Twins.
His story is WILD.
Time for a thread πππ
His story is WILD.
Time for a thread πππ
1) Let's start in 2013...
Despite being an all-conference pitcher in high school, Randy Dobnak wasn't recruited by any Division I baseball programs.
Instead, he chose to attend Alderson Broaddus University β a small DII school in West Virginia.
Despite being an all-conference pitcher in high school, Randy Dobnak wasn't recruited by any Division I baseball programs.
Instead, he chose to attend Alderson Broaddus University β a small DII school in West Virginia.
2) Randy Dobnak had a good college career, winning multiple all-conference awards.
The unfortunate part?
Even with more than 1,200 players selected in the 2017 MLB draft, @Dobnak_ still didn't hear his name called.
This is where it gets interesting.
The unfortunate part?
Even with more than 1,200 players selected in the 2017 MLB draft, @Dobnak_ still didn't hear his name called.
This is where it gets interesting.
3) Rather than giving up on his dream, Randy Dobnak played for the Utica Unicorns β an independent league team in Michigan.
Players make about $700 a month and live with host families.
Knowing that wasn't enough to financially support himself, Dobnak got creative.
Players make about $700 a month and live with host families.
Knowing that wasn't enough to financially support himself, Dobnak got creative.
4) From 2017 to 2019, Randy Dobnak drove for Uber & Lyft to supplement his $700/month baseball salary.
It's still on his LinkedIn profile today, and @Dobnak_ is proud of his "4.99/5 driver rating."
Even better?
How the Minnesota Twins discovered himβ¦
It's still on his LinkedIn profile today, and @Dobnak_ is proud of his "4.99/5 driver rating."
Even better?
How the Minnesota Twins discovered himβ¦
5) With no MLB scouts coming to see independent league games, Randy Dobnak's dad got involved.
Dobnak's dad started videotaping his son's games and posted the highlights to YouTube.
The wild part?
A Minnesota Twins scout saw the videos & offered Dobnak a minor league contract.
Dobnak's dad started videotaping his son's games and posted the highlights to YouTube.
The wild part?
A Minnesota Twins scout saw the videos & offered Dobnak a minor league contract.
6) Despite the Twins only offering a $500 signing bonus, Randy Dobnak jumped at the opportunity.
Dobnak spent 2 years working his way up the minor leagues, earning about $1,000 a month.
But in 2019, when the Twins promoted him to their Major League roster, it was all worth it.
Dobnak spent 2 years working his way up the minor leagues, earning about $1,000 a month.
But in 2019, when the Twins promoted him to their Major League roster, it was all worth it.
7) Perhaps the wildest part of the whole story?
Just months after he stopped driving for Uber, Randy Dobnak started a playoff game against the New York Yankees.
That's legendary.
Just months after he stopped driving for Uber, Randy Dobnak started a playoff game against the New York Yankees.
That's legendary.
8) After a solid showing in 2020, the Minnesota Twins approached Randy Dobnak about an extension.
The result?
@Dobnak_ signed a 5-year, $9.25M extension last week, which could be worth as much as $30M with options & incentives.
Now that's amazing.
The result?
@Dobnak_ signed a 5-year, $9.25M extension last week, which could be worth as much as $30M with options & incentives.
Now that's amazing.
9) In the end, I love this story for one simple reason:
Countless others would have made excuses and quit, but Randy Dobnak bet on himself, did whatever it took to succeed, and ended up accomplishing his dreams.
That's what sports are all about.
Countless others would have made excuses and quit, but Randy Dobnak bet on himself, did whatever it took to succeed, and ended up accomplishing his dreams.
That's what sports are all about.
10) Enjoyed this thread?
You should follow me @JoePompliano.
I tweet interesting stories about the money and business behind sports every day.
You should follow me @JoePompliano.
I tweet interesting stories about the money and business behind sports every day.
11) Prefer a deeper dive than Twitter?
Make sure to sign up for my daily newsletter, where I break down the most interesting sports business stories each morning.
Don't worry, it's free :)
Subscribe: readhuddleup.com
Make sure to sign up for my daily newsletter, where I break down the most interesting sports business stories each morning.
Don't worry, it's free :)
Subscribe: readhuddleup.com
β’ β’ β’
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
γ
