University of Tennessee Athletics
DIAMOND VOLS PROFILE: JOSH LINDBLOM
January 31, 2006 | Baseball
Jan. 31, 2006
By Melissa Anderson, UT Sports Information
Omaha.
Mention the city to any fan of Tennessee baseball and they will start to recall the Vols' quest for glory at the 2005 NCAA College World Series. Mention it to any member of this year's Diamond Vols, and they will talk of how the team has but one goal - a return trip to Omaha.
One such member is freshman Josh Lindblom, one of 18 new faces on a squad that sports a very different look from the team that traveled to Rosenblatt Stadium last June.
Lindblom is a 6-5, 240-pound right-hander from West Lafayette, Ind. After his high school graduation last summer, he had an important decision to make. He could either play college ball at Tennessee, or test the waters of professional baseball. For this third-round draft pick of the Houston Astros, the decision was as simple as following his dream.
"Ever since I was a little kid I've always wanted to play baseball in the SEC," Lindblom said. "It's the best conference in America."
In 2005 SEC play, the Vols posted an impressive 18-11 record. Coming from a high school team that won the Lafayette Jefferson Sectional Championship, Lindblom is ready to help the Vols continue their winning ways. As one of 12 true freshmen on this year's club, he hopes to be able to find his role and contribute to the team.
"Whatever role I'm given, I have to contribute in that way. Obviously the team goal is to make it to Omaha again, but I want to contribute as a player, try to lead on and off the field, and set an example (among the other) underclassmen."
Along with setting that example, Lindblom has his sights set on something else. One of the most talked about aspects of last year's team was the chemistry. Team chemistry is an important element in sports, and this year's Volunteers are no different.
"Obviously last year's team went to Omaha, and the team chemistry was unbelievable," Lindblom said. "We lost a lot of key players from last year, but right now we're trying to build that team chemistry up, and we're almost there."
Coming into his 17th season as the Vols head coach, Rod Delmonico has established a tradition that anyone would be proud to be a part of. Lindblom is well aware of what it means to be playing for such a coach.
"The tradition that he has established here at the University of Tennessee is unbelievable," Lindblom said. "When you think about college baseball, you obviously think about all the great coaches there are, and he's one of the names that comes up. I mean he is an unbelievable coach. He drives players to be their best."
After success in high school - success that included being named to the 2005 Indiana All-State Team and being rated by Baseball America as the top overall prospect in his home state - the transition to college may have posed a challenge. However, it was a challenge that Lindblom was ready to overcome.
"At first it was tough," Lindblom said. "I was getting into a routine of practicing a lot and going to school."
Once the routine took, so did Lindblom to college ball.
"It's a job, and you have to take it seriously or else you're going to fall behind. You're going to hurt your team; you won't be eligible in school. People talk about having full time jobs and having (all these baseball responsibilities) when you come to college; it really is a full-time job." A full-time job that he is willing to dedicate himself to. Along with the national media and major-league scouts who have noticed Lindblom, his teammates are noticing him as well. When asked to compare Lindblom to others he has caught (including 2005 National Pitcher of the Year Luke Hochevar), Volunteers catcher J.P. Arencibia had nothing but high regard for his pitcher.
"He's one of the best," Arencibia said. "He's got great stuff and a great head on his shoulders as far as work ethic and off-the-field stuff. He's one of the hardest workers I've ever seen, and it shows on the field."
With his teammates, coaches and fans all eager to see how this chapter of Lindblom's life as a member of the Diamond Vols will start, he does his best to keep it all in perspective.
"After baseball, all you have is who you are. That is definitely important to me, being who I am."
