Basic HTML Version
Shoaf
Jeff
First baseman and DH
A.J. Kirby-Jones is currently in the San Diego
Padres organization; he is playingA+ ball for Lake
Elsinore Storm in the California League after
starting the season in the Texas League with the
SanAntonioMissions. Kirby-Jones graduated
from theWebb School of Knoxville in 2007. He
attended Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville,
Tennessee and was drafted in the 9th round of
the 2010 June Major League Baseball draft by the
OaklandAthletics.
pitch
perfect
’ÄúI played baseball all the way
through college and once my
playing days were done, I knew
I wanted to be involved with
baseball in some form or fashion!’Äù
Shoaf began as an intern
with the Tennessee Smokies
in 1995; now 19 seasons, hundreds of
players, and a few owners later, Shoaf
serves as the team’Äôs assistant general
manager. Originally fromBartlesville,
Oklahoma, Shoaf is aWashburn
University graduate; he received his M.S.
in Sports Administration at UT. Among
his many duties, Shoaf is responsible for
hiring the many fun traveling acts that
appear at the Smokies Stadium.
’ÄúWill I make it the major leagues? Anything is
possible. I try to control what I can and also be
prepared. I always work hard. Once you lose the
passion, it’Äôs time to hang it up.’Äù
Kirby-Jones
A.J.
Photo by ColbyMcLemore
104
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER 201 3