Goodbyes are hard.
The simple act of saying goodbye to a person or, in this instance, a place, and not knowing when or if you’ll return is difficult for most people. Some never get the chance to go back, some do.
Former Bradley shortstop Jason Leblebijian got the chance to come back. Leblebijian returned to Dozer Park in Peoria this week, over two years since last taking the field in a Bradley uniform.
However, instead of Bradley’s home white jersey, Leblebijian donned the black jersey worn by the Lansing Lugnuts of the Midwest League.
Drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 25th round of the MLB Draft in 2012, Leblebijian tallied a career .287 batting average in three seasons with the Braves. He said he was excited to return to Peoria.
“I said, to some of the guys when we first got here, to think about how many hours of work I’ve put in here with the guys and the friends I’ve made in the past coming here, just playing here again with a different crew is exciting,” Leblebijian said.
Leblebijian has already made a few just as exciting memories in nearly three seasons in the minors. But none of them could top a pair of titles.
“It’s been exciting for me, especially being a part of a Vancouver team twice, winning two championship rings,” Leblebijian said. “Even though I wasn’t able to play in the playoffs or the championship, just to get those rings alone was a great memory for me.”
HIs first game at Dozer did little to tone down his emotions. In Leblebijian’s first at-bat, he ripped a double down the left-field line and scored when the left fielder air-mailed the return throw. As excited as he was personally, Leblebijian said he was just as excited for his team.
“It was awesome. That was my first inside-the-parker, and it was exciting,” Leblebijian said. “Especially just to get us on the board, the game was slow from the start. Just to get us going, things like that, but it was definitely a great way to start it off.”
The visit to Peoria brought back more than on-field memories for Leblebijian. When asked, he said there were a couple things he missed about life on the Hilltop.
“Two things: dorm life, which I miss because it was cool to hang out with all the guys and things like that, and believe it or not going to class. I miss kinda taking your mind off baseball,” Leblebijian said.
Leblebijian isn’t the only former Brave in the minors. Mike Tauchman is hitting nearly .400 this season for the Modesto Nuts, the high-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.
Pitcher Jacob Booden signed with the St. Louis Cardinals as a non-drafted free agent and currently sports a 1-2 record with a 3.32 ERA for the State College Spikes.
Max Murphy is the most recent Brave to enter the minors. Drafted by the Twins this past June, Murphy is lighting up the Appalachian League. In 32 games, the former Bradley outfielder is hitting .373 with eight home runs, 24 runs batted in, and four steals.
Murphy is also the most recent Brave to enter the world of minor league baseball. Leblebijian offered some tips to his former teammate.
“The way he’s playing, I’m going to be asking him for advice,” Leblebijian said. “If I was to give him some advice, it’d be quality over quantity. Take your time, think long-term with everything. You have four years to develop, and they understand that. If something’s not working, just relax a little bit and let the process take over.
