The Yankees had it right when they first got Ohlendorf in 2007. He had an injury in March, then was brought back as a reliever – stupid mistake on the part of Yankee management. Despite being with the Pirates, Ohlendorf has managed a pretty great W-L ratio. Anybody who has really followed him this year knows that, had the Pirates had a decent hitting team, Ohlendorf would probably have had one of the top pitching career wins of either league this season. And whoever thinks he’d never last in the AL doesn’t know his/her you know what from the proverbial hole in the ground.
One of the characteristics I see in Ohlendorf that one rarely finds in a ball player, (besides smarts, which everyone knows) is a remarkably upbeat, positive supportive attitude. Not once have I ever heard him criticize anyone. He not only assumes responsibility for his shortcomings; but he assumes others’ AND he is the first to give guys the benefit of the doubt.
ANOTHER remarkable quality in this guy is his efforts at improvement, which have paid off.
When you combine all Ross Ohlendorf’s assets with his build and physical condition, he’s a winner. You guys mark my words, this guy’s unstoppable.
I wish Ross Ohlendorf the best and hope he makes a huge mark in baseball.
It’s time we had more men like Ross Ohlendorf succeed as leaders in their careers. Our kids could use these kind of men and women as their role models.