Army engineer officer meets the 'smartest man in baseball'

By Ms. Brittany Bangert (USACE)August 21, 2014

Army engineer officer meets the 'smartest man in baseball'
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Capt. Alexander Sudyk met with Boston Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow Aug. 15 to discuss the importance of STEM, higher education, leadership and giving back to the community, part of an educational series that will be used... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army engineer officer meets the 'smartest man in baseball'
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Capt. Alexander Sudyk met with Boston Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow Aug. 15 to discuss the importance of STEM, higher education, leadership and even showed him a few pitches as part of an educational series that will be u... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army engineer officer meets the 'smartest man in baseball'
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Capt. Alexander Sudyk met with Boston Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow Aug. 15 to discuss the importance of STEM, higher education, leadership and giving back to the community, part of an educational series that will be used... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army engineer officer meets the 'smartest man in baseball'
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Capt. Alexander Sudyk met with Boston Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow Aug. 15 to discuss the importance of STEM, higher education, leadership and even showed him a few pitches as part of an educational series that will be u... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army engineer officer meets the 'smartest man in baseball'
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Capt. Alexander Sudyk met with Boston Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow Aug. 15 to discuss the importance of STEM, higher education, leadership and giving back to the community, part of an educational series that will be used... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army engineer officer meets the 'smartest man in baseball'
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Capt. Alexander Sudyk met with Boston Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow Aug. 15 to discuss the importance of STEM, higher education, leadership and giving back to the community, part of an educational series that will be used... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

BOSTON, Mass. (Aug. 21, 2014) -- One of them designs facilities overseas; while the other creates sliders, curve balls, and fastballs that keep baseball's most powerful hitters on their heels. While both work in environments worlds apart, their talent and passion for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) brought them together one afternoon in August at historic Fenway Park in Boston.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Capt. Alexander Sudyk met with Boston Red Sox pitcher Craig Breslow Aug. 15 to discuss the importance of STEM, higher education, leadership and giving back to the community, part of an educational series that will be used in an upcoming episode of MLB's "Above and Beyond."

Often referred to as the "smartest man in professional sports," Breslow talked to Sudyk, a former catcher, in the bullpen about how he became interested in STEM, reflecting on how his parents -- both teachers -- and his interest in science, technology, and math positively influenced his life as a professional baseball player.

While many appreciate his talents for throwing devastating curveballs, few know that he attended Yale University, graduated with a degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry in 2002, and planned to attend medical school until he was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers.

Although he chose professional baseball as his primary career, STEM continues to serve an important part of Breslow's life: he has assisted in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital, done research in a leading stem cell laboratory at Children's Hospital Boston, and plunged a needle into the heart of an African bat to test for the Ebola virus.

On the mound, STEM still impacts his preparations as a professional baseball player.

"I use math as a pitcher on a daily basis," said Breslow. "I look at the statistics and data to determine a game plan for pitching."

Just as Breslow was influenced at young age by his parents, Sudyk's interested in STEM also blossomed at early on in his life.

"I worked a lot with my dad on cars, took apart old radios, and really became interested in fixing things and figuring out how they worked," said Sudyk.

Fascinated with how things worked, he channeled that energy into his academic studies, and ultimately decided that attending the United States Military Academy at West Point offered him the best opportunity to pursue engineering at one of the best engineering schools while serving his country. Sudyk graduated from West Point with a degree in mechanical engineering in 2009. He recently returned from a 6-month deployment with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Forward Engineer Support Team - Advanced (FEST-A) to Jordan to build local capabilities and help provide aid for thousands of refugees coming in from neighboring Syria.

If STEM sits atop their list of shared passions, it's followed closely by a common desire to give back to their community.

Lesley Breslow, Craig's sister, was diagnosed at the age of 14 with thyroid cancer. Her battle against the disease inspired him to create the Strike 3 Foundation.

"The Strike 3 Foundation gives us the opportunity to bring awareness, mobilize support, and raise funding for childhood cancer research," said Breslow.

Sudyk talked about the importance of getting the future generations involved in STEM.

"The Corps of Engineers visits schools and brings tools, like the West Point Bridge Designer game, into classrooms to get kids excited about STEM through virtual bridge building," said Sudyk. "Some students walk out of the classroom wanting to be an engineer for the first time."

As a former baseball player himself, Sudyk asked Breslow to show him some of his pitches and grips in the bullpen including his fastball, cut fastball, overhand curveball and slider.

"I'm thankful for being able to be a part of a program that promotes education in STEM while showing its relevance in fun things like baseball."

The episode of MLB's Above and Beyond will air on MLB.com in October.

Related Links:

USACE Baltimore Social Media

MLB Above and Beyond

US Army Corps of Engineers Baltimore

US Army Corps of Engineers Headquarters