Anthony Tomey

8/3/2019 Anthony Tomey

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Anthony TomeyFrom Reliever to Business Owner

What was it like when you

found out you were drafted

by the Detroit Tigers?

I was at school (Eastern

Michigan) in the dorms with my

roommates and girlfriend at the

time when I received a phone

call from the Detroit Tigers. I

was really happy about getting

drafted by the Tigers since I

had been a big fan since I was

young. I had talked to them

prior to the draft, but I was

never certain until I received

that call. It was a great

moment; however, I was a little

disappointed getting drafted so

low. I had a great senior year at

Eastern Michigan and had also

been drafted out of high

school, which made me think

Id go higher than the 30th

round. Either way, I couldnt

wait to get started with my pro

career.

When you signed your

contract, did you have your

degree?

I did not. I was 3 classes short

but I definitely wanted to finish.

I applied for a scholarship after

playing which covered the costs

of tuition at Eastern. I finished

up the fall/winter after my first

year of pro ball. Im so happy I

finished. No one will ever be

able to take that away from me.

AAA Toledo

Mudhen

All

Conference

at Eastern

Michigan

College

Graduate

Business

Owner

Business

Consultant

EFIELDHOUSE.COM

De

cember2011


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What were your goals as a

professional baseball player?

I had my eyes set on the Big

Leagues all the way. I started in

Oneonta which was the short

season level for the Tigers. I

started my pro career as a

starter and had a very good

first year. I was feeling great!

The next few years also went

well, but as a reliever. From

2005 - 2007 I pitched great! I

had a personal best 1.9 era and

over the entire three year

period never had and era over

3.0. On top of that, I had more

strikeouts than innings pitched

every year, so to me the Big

Leagues were a definite

possibility. The thought of not

making the big leagues didnt

come up until the spring of

2008.

Do you have a favorite story

from your playing days?

I played for Matt Walbeck at

West Michigan - low A. After

the first half of the season we

were in dead last place. We

stunk! One of our coordinators

EZ came in and said this

would be our last seasons with

the Tigers if we didnt get it

together. We definitely got it

together in the second half.

After July 29th we finished the

season 31-6 and won the

championship. For me, the

thought of losing my job was

really motivating. I basically

took the attitude Ill show

you.

What were your coaches like?

Matt Walbeck and AJ Sager

were really positive coaches.

Matt was always a players

coach. He never gave up on us

and always had a great

attitude. AJ always knew what

situations worked for the

pitchers. He had a knack for

putting us in to situations that

we could handle. They were

two of my favorite coaches

while I was in the organization.

Least favorite memory?

I was in trenton NJ, Double A

and just finished pitching 2

innings. I gave up 0 hits, 0 runs

and was really happy how I

pitched. However, while in the

locker room, I got a tap on the

shoulder, Skip needs to see

you in his ofce. I knew

something was up. I met with

our manager in the ofce which

is when he told me I would be

done playing for the Tigers.

EFIELDHOUSE.COMDecember2011

Currently managing 8 Jimmy Johns Restaurants.

Anthony TomeyPitcher and Business Owner


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Hearing that your dream is

basically over is a terrible thing

to hear. All of my teammates

were disappointed and

surprised. They consoled me

that night with a proper nightout on the town. One of the

hardest parts of leaving was

leaving the friends that I

became so close with.

Had it ever crossed your

mind that you would not

make the big leagues?

After three years in the

organization I felt great! I

pitched well in AAA Toledo in

2007 and thought I had a really

good chance to make it. I was

receiving good feedback from

coaches and everything.

However, in 2008 I knew

something was up when I didnt

go to Toledo (AAA) to start the

season. My role also started to

change. I was no longer

pitching as a set up man and

started to struggle. I went from

feeling on top of the world to

feeling helpless. That was very

difcult to go through. It was

humbling.

Had you done anything to

prepare for that day?

Not really mentally, but I had

started some other things on

the side with my family. In

2003 I came up with the idea of

starting a Jimmy Johns

franchise. I worked with my

father and uncle and we

collectively opened our first

shop that year. I did everything.

I worked the line, cleaned the

store, worked with people,

everything. I had always had

ownership/management inmind but knew I needed to

learn the ropes first before

taking on that role. I also didnt

want to be a manager while

playing. My main goal was still

to make the Big Leagues! We

opened our second store in

2005 and I started to gain in

responsibility. We opened a

third in 2006, forth in 2007

and four more over the next

four years. I even helped out

fellow Detroit Tiger, Dan Zell

start his own store, which is

doing really well now in Tampa.



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Its really impressive how

youve built your business.

Do you have some kind of

magic?

I wouldnt call it magic. Most

importantly you have to want to

work hard. Secondly, you have

to have a good game plan.

Thirdly, you have to have a

good sta.

Can you tell us more about

your game plan?

For our business to be

successful, we believed it was

all about location. We also

didnt want to just put our

stores in heavily populated

areas. We wanted them in

business populated areas.

Then, after getting set up we

would give away free samples

to all of the businesses in the

areas. Marketing was huge.

Do you have a favorite

sandwich?

#9 Italian Night Club. I

recommend always getting it

with avocado and a side of

Jalapeo chips.

Do you have a plan for the

next 5 years?

We are opening two more

stores this coming year and

then thinking about going out

of state. It definitely depends

on the opportunities that come

up. Im alway open to new

ideas.

Will you need any help with

the stores?

Im always looking for help.

However, if youre looking to

get into management, prepare

to start from the ground up.

If someone is interested in an

ownership position, Id be

willing to talk with them also.

As a former player and

current businessman do you

have any advice for other

players looking for

something after baseball?

Definitely finish your degree.

Its something no one will ever

take from you. Then Id say

dont put all of your eggs in

one basket. Start thinking

about what you want to do

after baseball, make the

necessary steps and then

execute. However, dont let

your dreams slip away either.

Work your butt o to get to the

Big Leagues and if you dont

make it, at least youll be ready

when that time comes. If youre

interested in restaurant

management or need some

part time work, let me know.

Im on eFieldHouse!



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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Matt Righter Publisher

Doreen Cappelaere Editor

Anthony Tomey and

Friends

Photography

eFieldHouse would not existwithout our contributors. Wethank them for their time,generosity, and wisdom.

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Anthony Tomey

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