Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images
“It was November 2011, when the SnakePit went to the Arizona Fall League. To quote our report, “It was so chilly, that the grounds crew didn’t rake the base-paths, they used a zamboni, and the fielders wore gloves on both hands.” But the AFL rosters that year were packed: Mike Trout and Bryce Harper took part, while the opposition on this particular night included some guy called “Nolan Arenado, who the word is, could be a starter for Colorado in 2013.” Whatever happened to him? But we were there for the D-backs, including Adam Eaton and Ryan Wheeler. Or “Good Wheeler”, as we dubbed him, for there was a Tim Wheeler from the Rockieson the Salt River roster…
Fast forward to now. During the five and a half years since, Wheeler made it to the show and was traded – ironically, to Colorado, where he hit a grand-slam (so he’s one up on Ozzie Smith!). He finished his career back with the D-backs in spring last year, then retired from baseball, having appeared in 109 major-league games with a .233 batting average. But he’s still in Arizona – he worked in IT, and now helps run a sports drink company. The SnakePit recently chatted with Wheeler, both about life in and after the majors.”
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PHOENIX, AZ – Ryan Wheeler #21 of the Arizona Diamondbacks gets ready to step into the on deck circle against the Houston Astros at Chase Field on July 20, 2012 in Phoenix, Arizona.
