Photo courtesy of Prairie Baseball Academy
A career has come nearly full circle nearly two decades after it began for a local coach. Dustin Molleken has returned to Lethbridge to become one of the new pitching coaches with the Prairie Baseball Academy.
Molleken was drafted in the 15th round of the 2003 MLB Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates after spending the spring with the PBA. He spent over 12 seasons in professional baseball before finally making his big-league debut with the Detroit Tigers in 2016, becoming the only PBA alumni to date to make it to the MLB. He says the experience is something he will never forget.
“It was an unbelievable feeling and I’ll always have that with me and that I can share it at home forever. So, I’m very honoured I got that shot to be up there for three months.”
Molleken took his baseball talents all over the world before making it to the major leagues. He was the first Canadian to appear in the Japan Series in 2012 with the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He says the atmosphere was incredible.
“It was awesome, they used to average 45,000 fans a night. Awesome atmosphere and it’s always happening at the fields. If you have a shot to go over there, you always have a shot to make extra.”
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From the time Molleken set foot at Lloyd Nolan Yard, he showed big league potential. Blair Kubicek was the head coach of the PBA from 1996 until 2010. Kubicek, who had previously worked as a scout for the Cleveland Indians in 1993 says he knew Molleken would be a professional.
“All I need to see was him throw the ball one time off a mound and I knew he was a pro prospect. I didn’t need a radar gun; I didn’t need anything. Just the way the ball came out of his hand, I thought he had a chance to become a big leaguer.”
However, a long journey through the minor leagues hasn’t been the only challenge Molleken has had to face in life. He deals with a speech impediment that causes him to stutter often when he speaks. Molleken says he hasn’t let his impediment stop him.
“It’s who I am. Growing up it was hard, but as I got older it was easier. So if you struggle with it, just figure it out. I know it will be hard every so often. There’s always mean people out there.”
The speech impediment hasn’t stopped Molleken in professional baseball or in his coaching career. Kyle Poapst, a pitcher with the PBA, says people are always wanting to listen to what Molleken has to say.
“He’s got his stutter, but everyone is ready to listen to him or help him if he needs to get something out. We really want to hear what he’s got to say.”
The decision to return to the PBA was something Molleken had planned once he was done with playing. He had kept in touch with PBA head coach Todd Hubka about the opportunity to coach.
“Over the years, Hub and I sat over the phone and says whenever I hang them up, I want to head here and help out. It’s awesome how it comes full circle. Eighteen years ago, as a player, I was here. Now I’m here as a coach.”
