Seven Seniors Reflect On Time As Huskies
May 26, 2017 | Baseball
SEATTLE – This Saturday's game versus USC will mark the final home game for seven Washington seniors. Pitcher Henry Baker, infielder Josh Cushing, outfielder MJ Hubbs, outfielder Kyle London, first baseman Gage Matuszak, outfielder Jack Meggs and first baseman John Naff will all take the field at Husky Ballpark one last time at 4:00 p.m. PT (senior ceremonies start at 3:40).
The seven seniors consist of one fifth-year player, three four-year players and three two-year transfers. Each had different and varying experiences at UW, but each were vital components in the team's success over the years.
The seven seniors were asked to reflect about their time at Washington. The following is a collection of their responses:
What was your favorite memory as a Husky?
Hubbs: Just being a part of the program and being out here in Seattle with this environment. It was good for a change and being able to experience the whole program and the opportunities that we have here has been amazing. Not realizing it now but not being a part of this later will make me realize how being of a part of my life it was.
Cushing: When we opened Husky Ballpark, being part of the culture change and all the new facilities, it was kind of special to be on that team.
London: I think that my favorite memory was the Oregon game on Sunday my freshmen year when they game was tied up and finally we scored three runs while trailing by two in the 10th to win the game.
Matuszak: Walking off against Oregon or beating Vanderbilt last year. Probably beating Vanderbilt to be honest because it was more of a team effort and it wasn't just a singular moment. It was cool to see everyone compete the way we did to come back for that.
Naff: Making it to the playoffs and beating Vanderbilt last year, the energy and experience it was to be there was definitely one of the coolest parts about college baseball.
Meggs: Probably just getting to the post season my freshmen year and last year beating Vanderbilt in particular, that game was really special.
Baker: Probably last year in Nashville for Regionals and being able to eliminate Vanderbilt at their field, who had been in the National Championship for two straight years. It was a cool experience for everyone.
How has playing at UW helped you grow as a player and a person?
Naff: I have grown to learn what it is like to work with a group of people in different situations. I think that it helps you build relationships and you're then able to work as team with one goal.
Baker: I have learned that the little things and everything matters. It's a process and I've learned that even if you aren't the superstar you can do things that will help the team in any way. I think that translates really well into real life.
Meggs: I think being around teammates and forming relationships with them has made me a better person and a better friend too. I think just playing the game in general is getting me ready for life.
Cushing: I think the whole college experience has helped me mature a lot and grow up. Dealing with adversity whether it was injuries or a tough class, I've grown up a lot and learned to manage my time.
London: I've learned a lot on how to do things the right way as I've grown and matured as the years go on. I learned to live in the moment and enjoy the little things.
Hubbs: Everything you do in life and every person you meet has an impact on you and you take all those and it helps you form as a person, and in this case as a player as well. It's been a big impact being able to play in the Pac-12 and be a part of this program, playing for Coach Meggs.
Matuszak: I think being able to grow and learn from Coach Meggs and being able to stick with it, understanding his process has helped me better understand myself. Also, what it is going to take to accomplish my dreams and deal with the real-world situations.
What will you miss most about playing at UW?
Baker: I'll miss the locker room and the comradery of everything, especially the teammates. It's been a lot of fun. I've met a lot of people over four years and I'll have lifelong relationships because of this experience. I've made some quality friendships and the sport of baseball really facilitates that, which I would never trade in for the world.
Cushing: Definitely my teammates and those relationships, it's a once in a life time deal and it has been unbelievable.
Hubbs: The brotherhood and culture that we created here, I know that I will realize how big of a part of my life it was when I am gone.
London: I will definitely miss most the relationships and being on a team with the guys.
Meggs: Probably hanging out with the guys in the locker room before and after the game and practicing with them.
Naff: I will miss hanging around the guys on and off the field.
Matuszak: I think it would be just playing ball at this level and missing college baseball, being with the group of guys that are fighting to get to that next level and accomplish their dreams of being a pro athlete.
What advice would your 42-year-old self give to your present self?
Matuszak: I honestly think it would be to relax and not put so much weight on every little thing. Just to enjoy the ride and not get caught up in the day to day activities without seeing the big picture.
London: I would tell my younger self to stay focused and to enjoy the moment. Life is about the journey, not the destination.
Hubbs: Enjoy it and live in the moment. Don't worry about anything else or what is in the future, create your moment and live in the present.
Naff: Don't take anything for granted because it will be over before you know it.
Meggs: I think just to enjoy every day and enjoy the little things like practice just because it goes by so fast that you just have to have fun with it.
Cushing: Stay in touch with your teammates and don't let it slip by or take advantage of the time that you have here.
Baker: I'd remind myself that we're young and it's a big transition from when you're 18 to 21. When I was 18 I thought of the big picture and was kind of selfish. In three years I've kind of learned to put the team and others before myself. I think that's more of a quality human value that you get from athletics. In my experience, it is the little things that define you and not the big outcomes. You can look at my career and from the outside statistically it doesn't look like I really gained a lot, but I think that fact actually has caused me to gain way more than I ever would have, which is what you ultimately want to get out of the whole thing. I would never trade it in for the world. Maybe I didn't get as many innings and strikeouts, but I think I've helped the team win and supported everyone the best way that I could. I think I did a good job at that and I'll cherish that more than the strikeouts I could have had or whatever it might be.
The seven seniors consist of one fifth-year player, three four-year players and three two-year transfers. Each had different and varying experiences at UW, but each were vital components in the team's success over the years.
The seven seniors were asked to reflect about their time at Washington. The following is a collection of their responses:
What was your favorite memory as a Husky?
Hubbs: Just being a part of the program and being out here in Seattle with this environment. It was good for a change and being able to experience the whole program and the opportunities that we have here has been amazing. Not realizing it now but not being a part of this later will make me realize how being of a part of my life it was.
Cushing: When we opened Husky Ballpark, being part of the culture change and all the new facilities, it was kind of special to be on that team.
London: I think that my favorite memory was the Oregon game on Sunday my freshmen year when they game was tied up and finally we scored three runs while trailing by two in the 10th to win the game.
Matuszak: Walking off against Oregon or beating Vanderbilt last year. Probably beating Vanderbilt to be honest because it was more of a team effort and it wasn't just a singular moment. It was cool to see everyone compete the way we did to come back for that.
Naff: Making it to the playoffs and beating Vanderbilt last year, the energy and experience it was to be there was definitely one of the coolest parts about college baseball.
Meggs: Probably just getting to the post season my freshmen year and last year beating Vanderbilt in particular, that game was really special.
Baker: Probably last year in Nashville for Regionals and being able to eliminate Vanderbilt at their field, who had been in the National Championship for two straight years. It was a cool experience for everyone.
How has playing at UW helped you grow as a player and a person?
Naff: I have grown to learn what it is like to work with a group of people in different situations. I think that it helps you build relationships and you're then able to work as team with one goal.
Baker: I have learned that the little things and everything matters. It's a process and I've learned that even if you aren't the superstar you can do things that will help the team in any way. I think that translates really well into real life.
Meggs: I think being around teammates and forming relationships with them has made me a better person and a better friend too. I think just playing the game in general is getting me ready for life.
Cushing: I think the whole college experience has helped me mature a lot and grow up. Dealing with adversity whether it was injuries or a tough class, I've grown up a lot and learned to manage my time.
London: I've learned a lot on how to do things the right way as I've grown and matured as the years go on. I learned to live in the moment and enjoy the little things.
Hubbs: Everything you do in life and every person you meet has an impact on you and you take all those and it helps you form as a person, and in this case as a player as well. It's been a big impact being able to play in the Pac-12 and be a part of this program, playing for Coach Meggs.
Matuszak: I think being able to grow and learn from Coach Meggs and being able to stick with it, understanding his process has helped me better understand myself. Also, what it is going to take to accomplish my dreams and deal with the real-world situations.
What will you miss most about playing at UW?
Baker: I'll miss the locker room and the comradery of everything, especially the teammates. It's been a lot of fun. I've met a lot of people over four years and I'll have lifelong relationships because of this experience. I've made some quality friendships and the sport of baseball really facilitates that, which I would never trade in for the world.
Cushing: Definitely my teammates and those relationships, it's a once in a life time deal and it has been unbelievable.
Hubbs: The brotherhood and culture that we created here, I know that I will realize how big of a part of my life it was when I am gone.
London: I will definitely miss most the relationships and being on a team with the guys.
Meggs: Probably hanging out with the guys in the locker room before and after the game and practicing with them.
Naff: I will miss hanging around the guys on and off the field.
Matuszak: I think it would be just playing ball at this level and missing college baseball, being with the group of guys that are fighting to get to that next level and accomplish their dreams of being a pro athlete.
What advice would your 42-year-old self give to your present self?
Matuszak: I honestly think it would be to relax and not put so much weight on every little thing. Just to enjoy the ride and not get caught up in the day to day activities without seeing the big picture.
London: I would tell my younger self to stay focused and to enjoy the moment. Life is about the journey, not the destination.
Hubbs: Enjoy it and live in the moment. Don't worry about anything else or what is in the future, create your moment and live in the present.
Naff: Don't take anything for granted because it will be over before you know it.
Meggs: I think just to enjoy every day and enjoy the little things like practice just because it goes by so fast that you just have to have fun with it.
Cushing: Stay in touch with your teammates and don't let it slip by or take advantage of the time that you have here.
Baker: I'd remind myself that we're young and it's a big transition from when you're 18 to 21. When I was 18 I thought of the big picture and was kind of selfish. In three years I've kind of learned to put the team and others before myself. I think that's more of a quality human value that you get from athletics. In my experience, it is the little things that define you and not the big outcomes. You can look at my career and from the outside statistically it doesn't look like I really gained a lot, but I think that fact actually has caused me to gain way more than I ever would have, which is what you ultimately want to get out of the whole thing. I would never trade it in for the world. Maybe I didn't get as many innings and strikeouts, but I think I've helped the team win and supported everyone the best way that I could. I think I did a good job at that and I'll cherish that more than the strikeouts I could have had or whatever it might be.
Players Mentioned
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