About me.

My name is Tony DeJesus, and I was born in San Diego, California. I was raised in a military family, which instilled in me the values of discipline, commitment, and perseverance. My father is a former Marine Corps combat veteran who grew up playing baseball, while my mother worked in the medical field and was a former softball player. I also have a younger brother. Both my grandfathers were Marine Corps & Navy combat veterans as well. 

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I have played baseball throughout my life, and the game has always been an important part of who I am. From an early age, I developed a strong appreciation for training, working hard, and continuously striving to improve. Baseball has taught me valuable lessons about humility, relationship-building, resilience, perseverance, discipline, and leadership.

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My passion for the game has provided me with countless opportunities and blessings, including traveling across the country, building lifelong friendships, and pursuing my education while continuing to play the sport I love. Through baseball, I have grown both as an athlete and as an individual. The lessons I have learned from the game, along with the guidance of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, have continued to shape my character, guide my decisions, and influence my approach to life.

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My baseball journey began when I was five years old. My grandfather would hit ground balls to me, and my father would play catch with me. One day while practicing with my Dad as Bradley Park in San Marcos Ca, a father and his son arrived at the park wearing a baseball uniform, only to realize they had mistakenly gone to the wrong location for a local baseball practice. My father received the correct address, and we rushed over so I could register on the spot. Although registration was already full, the league fortunately added me to a roster as an additional player.

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The team did not have an extra jersey for me, so my parents went to a local print shop and had one made. It featured the first—and only—number I have ever worn: No. 21. That number represented Roberto Clemente, the first Latin American player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Clemente remains a hero and role model within Puerto Rican culture, and the number “veintiuno” carries a special meaning whenever it is seen on the baseball field.

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Before that moment, I had never played T-ball or organized baseball. I had simply spent my early years playing, watching, and surrounding myself with the game.

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I was blessed to grow up in a baseball community surrounded by former Major League Baseball players. As a result, I learned many aspects of the game at an early age. At one point, my coaching staff included Major League Baseball organizational Hall of Famers and All-Stars.

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I have also had the privilege of working with exceptional coaches who possessed both extensive knowledge and a genuine passion for teaching the game. My transition to Texas elevated my development as a player, and I was blessed to surround myself with outstanding coaches, mentors and teams. Coming to Texas introduced me to playing the game on a National Level playing club baseball, competing with USA Baseball and attending Perfect Game showcases.

 

My family played an essential role in supporting me throughout my baseball journey. They spent nearly every summer in the stands, cheering me on from fields across the country. Their unwavering encouragement required countless hours on the road and many miles traveled, and I am deeply grateful for the sacrifices they made to help me pursue my passion for the game.

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I played high school baseball at Central Catholic High School in San Antonio, Texas, where I was coached by two-time World Series champion Danny Heep and former Division I college player Matt Flores.

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I was not a player who possessed overpowering tools growing up. Instead, I had a natural ability to hit, was an average fielder, and consistently relied on a strong work ethic. Like many dedicated players, I played baseball year-round, transitioning directly into travel baseball after the high school season. During the summer before my junior year, I began receiving college offers and eventually decided to continue both my education and baseball career at the University of the Incarnate Word.

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My dream was always to play in the Major Leagues. At the same time, I knew I had a passion for coaching and mentoring younger players, just as others had shared their knowledge and passion for the game with me. Baseball is difficult, and failure is inevitable. Success requires mental toughness, discipline, and a strong work ethic to persevere through challenging times.

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I often wish I had known as a young player what I know today. However, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my knowledge, experiences, and passion with the next generation of baseball players. My goal is to help young athletes develop not only as

players, but also as confident, disciplined, and resilient individuals.

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“I am convinced that God wanted me to be a baseball player.”
— Roberto Clemente