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Luncheon With Paul DeJong

08.07.2018

On Thursday, July 19th, Positive Coaching Alliance–Chicago hosted St. Louis Cardinals’ shortstop and Illinois native Paul DeJong for a special Luncheon at the Chicago Sports Museum at Water Tower Place. 

Over 80 local supporters, friends of PCA and Cardinals fans joined us to hear Paul discuss his amateur, collegiate and professional baseball career during a one on one interview with Elise Menaker of the Big Ten Network. Prior to the Q&A with Paul, DeJong was seen addressing the Lafollete Park Baseball Team, a Chicago Park District Youth Baseball Team, about different pitches and his stance in the box.


Paul regaled the audience with stories from his high school career at local Antioch High School, to balancing his studies at Illinois State University in biochemistry and pre-med, and how being drafted by the Cardinals “saved” him from having to attend medical school.


Another fascinating anecdote was Paul’s first major league game, in which he didn’t arrive to the stadium in Colorado until the third inning due to flight trouble, but still managed to make it to the clubhouse, change into his uniform, grab a sandwich, and hit a home run the first time he stepped into the box as a big leaguer!


The event featured a silent auction for signed Paul DeJong jerseys, Cubs/Cardinals tickets, White Sox tickets and the Ultimate Fan Experience to join Paul on the field for batting practice in St. Louis for an upcoming Cubs/Cardinals game.

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The Event Was Aired Live On The PCA-Chicago Facebook Page

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This luncheon was planned and executed in large part due to the tireless work of the PCA-Chicago Board of Directors, and event coordinators Scott Shimamoto and Scott Nenninger.

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