Wrestling champ Joseph walks away to swing at baseball dream

To some, what Jordan Joseph did was unthinkable. But to Joseph, it was simply a matter of following a dream.

The St. Michael-Albertville junior won the Class 3A 170-pound state wrestling championship as a sophomore. Then he walked away from wrestling, intent on pursuing his passion for baseball.

"People were kind of shocked. It's pretty much unheard of in wrestling to win a state championship and then not do it anymore," Joseph said. "I had a lot of support in St. Michael, but some people in the wrestling community couldn't understand it."

Joseph, a shortstop, talked with staff writer Jim Paulsen about trading his singlet for stirrups.

Q: Why give up wrestling?

A: My dream in life, ever since I was little, was to be a professional baseball player. I love everything about baseball.

Q: Was it tough to walk away?

Q: Why baseball?

A: I love the atmosphere and how laid back it is. Wrestling can be super-intense sometimes. Baseball is not so much of a constant brawl. I always look forward to it, even practice.

Q: Do you play year-round?

A: Yes. I decided that if I truly wanted to accomplish my goals, I had to put more time into it.

Q: Describe yourself as a baseball player.

Q: When did you fall in love with baseball?

A: When I had the opportunity to go to Cooperstown [N.Y., home of the Baseball Hall of Fame]. I've gone there three times, playing in tournaments. I went there first when I was 7, then I went back when I was 12. It's been my goal to be a professional ever since.

Q: Your best baseball memory?

A: When I was 12 in Cooperstown, I started off the tournament going 17-for-17. I was on fire. I felt like I couldn't get out. It was an awesome feeling.

Q: How do you train in the winter?

Q: Do you travel to tournaments with the Blizzard?

A: This winter we went to Utah and then to Phoenix. It was pretty great.

Q: How do Minnesota teams stack up?

A: Surprisingly, we've been very successful in every tournament we've been in. We're tough.

Q: Do you play with any other teams?

Q: I've heard you also play with a team in Sioux Falls.

A: Yeah, the Sioux Falls Cyclones. It's super-good competition. We play eight tournaments and they're all drivable. Places like Wichita State and Omaha.

Q: Do you ever take time off?

A: Not much. I can't get enough of baseball. My next goal is to be a Division I player. I truly believe I can play at that level.