User:MattKlib

Matt Bowser

Matthew James Bowser Positions: Outfielder and First Baseman Bats: Left, Throws: Left Height: 6' 3", Weight: 205 lb. Born: March 8, 1979 in Cleveland, Ohio, US (Age 35) High School: Tarpon Springs HS (Tarpon Springs, FL) School: University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)

Matthew James Bowser played High School ball at Tarpon Springs High School. Baseball America ranked him in the top 100 best high school baseball prospects in the country in 1997. IN June, 1997 he was drafted in the 10th round by the Toronto Blue Jays. He turned down the offer, and chose to go to the University of Central Florida to have the college experience, college education and tuition paid for while polishing up his skills prior to entering professional baseball. In his first college game he went 2-3 with an RBI single and home-run. IN 1998 he was a Collegiate Freshman All American first baseman. In UCF baseball history, he ranks 3rd in career slugging percentage, 4th in career home-runs and 5th in career RBI's. During his Freshman and Sophomore years, he was a Team USA invitee. He made Team USA as a sophomore, but was injured during a play at home plate against Mexico. Subsequently, he went to play in the Cape Cod league with the Orleans Cardinals. While in Cape Cod he roomed with Lance Niekro, and was teammates with Mark Teixeira. He was then taken as the Oakland A's 10th pick in the 2000 draft. He was drafted by Grady Fuson, who is noted for his character role in the movie Moneyball. Bowser's name was seen in the movie on a whiteboard in the background while management was discussing who would replace Giambi at First base.

He started in A-Ball with the Vancouver Canadians, then shortly moved up to Visalia Oaks High A-Ball, and then to AA-Ball with the Midland Rockhounds. IN 2004, Bowser was traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays organization where he played for the Montgomery Biscuits in their Double A affiliate. Bowser recalls a brief time with big leaguers during Spring training 2002 when he traveled with the Oakland Athletics big league club to play an exhibition game in Texas: "Flying on the plane revealed a whole different lifestyle. No seat belts need to be fastened. No tray tables need to be in their upright position. When there is turbulence the guys get up and act like they're skiing in the aisles. Some of the players' dogs were running up and down the aisles as well. I Sat next to Barry Zito, Mark Mulder, Tim Hudson and Adam Piatt who were playing $10,000 dollar a hand card games while Jeremy Giambi was behind me yelling at the waitress to get him a "Captain and Coke."

In 2004, Bowser abruptly ended his baseball career. Feeling that his life was empty, he decided to open a bible that his grandmother gave to him, and became a born again Christian. In an interview, Bowser claims that his playing career was "full of immorality, drunkenness, pride, envy, love for money, ego and strife." Bowser further explains his reasons for quitting, and describes his new faith: "It wasn't until the offseason of 2003 that I finally started to ask the question of why if I have achieved so much and have gained so much- that the world says will make me happy- why am I miserable?  I finally opened up the bible my grandmother gave me and started to read the book of Matthew looking for answers.  My eyes were finally open to the truth when I read the verse (1:21) of why Jesus came into this world.  "He came to save His people from their sins."  This moment was the beginning of an understanding that God sent His son to save me from all the things I was pursuing in life (namely what the bible calls sin) that I thought would make me happy.  Entering into my final season in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Rays organization God, through His son, started to work different desires into my heart.  As I read His word I started turning away from my old lifestyle and started to do what He said I should. It was amazingly different as I started to have joy and peace and meaning for the first time. I started to realize why I was here in life, to do His will, not my own. As I continued reading the bible my desire to pursue the baseball lifestyle I had grown accustom to subsided and I made the decision to retire. Half way through the season I went into the AA Montgomery Biscuits managers office and spoke with Charlie Montoyo (Now the AAA Durham Bulls Manager) and explained to him my decision. It has been one of the best decisions I could have made." Bowser now resides in Palm Harbor, Florida with his wife, Pamela and their three children: Matthew Jr, Kaitlyn and Grace. He owns the Nursing home goods distributorship, Wings Healthcare.

During Bowser's four and a half year professional career he was a 2 time Minor League All-Star nominee, the 2001 Most Valuable player for the Oakland Athletics California league A Ball Team Visalia Oaks. He was the 20th prospect in the Oakland Athletics Organization in 2002. Some Notable Roommates: Dan Johnson who is known for his clutch playoff race(s) home runs for the Rays. Oakland Athletics Rookie of the year Bobby Crosby. Matt Howe, former Oakland Athletics Head Coach Art Howe's son.