This year marks the 25th season of Harrisburg Senators’ baseball returning to City Island. To commemorate the anniversary and honor all of the ballplayers that have played here for the last 25 years, I’ll be posting interviews throughout the season with members of each of those past teams.

Today, we continue the series with Jeremy Plexico who appeared in 77 games for the Senators as a pitcher during the 2006 & 2007 seasons compiling a 4.03 ERA during that time.

What are your fondest memories of playing here in Harrisburg?

Jeremy Plexico: I think some of my fondest memories of Harrisburg are some of the teammates and friends that I met along the way. I am still close to a lot of the teammates that I played with, and currently follow them either in their lives after baseball, or as they continue to chase their baseball dream. My host family for two years, the Bronsons, took me in like one of their own, and gave me a comfortable place to live while I was away from home. I can’t thank them enough for what they did for me in those two years.

How frustrating were the two seasons you were here in 2006 and 2007 since they weren’t very successful as far as wins and losses?

JP: The two seasons that I was in Harrisburg were very frustrating at times in regards to our results on the field. It was tough because a lot of the guys that I played with throughout our minor league careers never got to experience what it was like to be in a championship race.. That was one thing that I wish I could have tasted, a season in which every pitch until the last game of the season had playoff implications. The one thing that I will say that I can take pride in is that myself and the rest of my teammates never gave up and quit playing the game hard. We went out each night and played hard for each other, our coaching staff, our organization, and fans.

What went into your decision to walk away from playing after you were named the Northern League’s Pitcher of the Year your only season in independent ball in 2008?

JP: Walking away from baseball was one of the toughest decisions that I have ever had to make. Baseball is a true passion of mine, and has always been a huge part of my life. After I was released by the Nationals in spring training of 2008 I wanted to give myself another chance to be seen by other teams and possibly one of them would give me another shot. I did end up having an excellent season in 2008 for the Gary Southshore Railcats, but had no calls from clubs once the season was over. I can walk away knowing that I gave myself another shot and it just didn’t happen. That’s the tough part of baseball, one day you are “family” with a group of 25-30 other players/coaches/staff/etc and the next day you are finished playing. It’s tough to swallow, and it’s tough not playing, but I think it was the right time for me considering the circumstances.

What have you been up to since your playing career ended?

JP: Since my playing days ended in 2008, I have finished up my MAT degree from my Alma Mater, Winthrop University, in Rock Hill, SC. Last year I coached at a junior college in Georgia called Young Harris College. This past summer I was hired as the pitching coach at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. I am working hard here to help our team get better, and having a lot of fun doing so. I hope that I can help some of the kids that I am coaching reach their dreams of playing professionally one day. In my spare time I spend as much time as possible with my family, whom I am extremely close to and credit much of my success to.

Thanks to Mr. Plexico for taking the time out of his schedule to answer our questions and be a part of the rich tradition of Senators baseball. We wish him all the best and continued success in his new life as a coach.