April 17, 2002
Last June, Matt Hobbs faced a difficult decision. Hobbs, who had just completed his junior season with a team-high eight wins, was hoping on being drafted in Major League Baseball's 2001 First-Year Player Draft.
Hobbs was the 900th overall pick last June, going in the 30th round to the San Diego Padres. However, he had to decide whether or not to return to Missouri or chase his dream of playing professional baseball.
"It was a tough decision not to go last summer after getting drafted by San Diego. I got the call and it was really tough to turn it down, especially being from California," said Hobbs, who hails from Alta Loma, Calif. "It's really tough to walk away from money being thrown at you, especially as a 21-year-old.
"I had some school left and I thought we had a chance to be a pretty good team if I came back," he continued. "I felt I still had some things left to prove in college, too. It was a tough decision but I think I made the right decision."
After making the decision to return to Missouri, Hobbs focused on the 2002 season. He went 1-1 during MU's Fall World Series. His performances in the fall and in the preseason workouts got him the nod to be the starting pitcher when the Tigers opened the season against Washington on Feb. 14 in Arizona.
"You always prepare to be the opening-day starter," said Hobbs. "That's something you dream about your whole life if you're a pitcher. You want to be the one who gets the team off to a good start. It was a disappointing how that start went.
"My pitching in the first half of the season didn't go at all the way I wanted it to," he continued. "But, it's gotten better with my last few outings. Like the rest of the team, everything is coming around at the right time of the season. My season has been up and down, but I think it's been going up, going in the right direction at least in conference play." With the Tigers entering this weekend's Big 12 Conference series against Kansas, Hobbs is planning on having his best performances still to come.
"It's hard to believe my college career is winding down," said Hobbs. "I was just thinking the other day that this season is half over and now, it's beyond that. It's been a good ride for the last four years. One thing I wanted to do this season is become an effective leader ... give the younger players some guidance and an idea of what it's like to play in the Big 12. I don't think I did a good job of that last year. That was another reason to come back.
"What would make it a good senior year ... getting to the Big 12 Tournament and winning it. Then, go as far as we can in a regional. That'd be a great way to end it. I know all of the seniors would like to see that, too."