This Week's Spotlight: Patrick Gorman

High School: Albertus Magnus High School, graduate 1995

College: Rockland Community College

Retired from playing for the Mets and the Orioles, this local resident settled down in Pearl River with his wife Kirsten, and his two girls Kylie, age four and Emma, age two, and a new baby boy joining the family in September. He started up a baseball business in Nanuet and is the head baseball coach at Albertus Magnus. 

It is possible that you may have crossed paths with Pat Gorman if you have been in the Nanuet Mall within the past three years.  As co-owner of the K-Zone, a baseball training spot, he provided lessons to numerous athletes in the area. 

Pat started playing baseball for the Nyack-Valley Cottage Little League as a young boy. One of his fondest moments is winning the Tournament of Champions in 1988.

His athleticism allowed him to play four varsity sports throughout high school.  Both junior and senior year these teams were very successful, winning league championships in both basketball and baseball. As a senior he was team captain in football, basketball and baseball.

"My Sophomore year I played varsity soccer and varsity baseball. Junior year I played varsity football, basketball and baseball. My basketball team made it to the State Final Four in Glenns Falls, NY, and lost in the state Semi-Finals. We were League and Section Champions. Baseball we lost one game away from the state final four and were also League & Section champions. Senior year, I also played football, basketball and baseball. We were league champs in basketball & baseball," said Gorman. 

During his senior year of high school Pat was recruited by many colleges. Although he had the interest of several college coaches he decided to go to Rockland Community College (RCC). 

"After graduating from Albertus I went to RCC because it was my best opportunity to get drafted into professional baseball. I just felt it was in my best interest to go to a two year school where I could be drafted after my first or second year. With A four year school you can't get drafted until after junior year. My College experience was great, I got to play locally against good competition with phenomenal coaches like Matt Leach, pitching coach, and Dan Keely, Head Coach."

He couldn't have been more right about this decision. 

"My Freshman year I was drafted by the NY Mets in the 45th round as a draft and follow. They don't do this anymore. Draft & follow means a team will draft you and track your progress for a year and decide to sign you before next years draft. Sophomore year I decided to sign before the draft and start my seven year career with the Mets and Orioles."

He began his baseball career in 1997, when he was selected by the NY Mets.  During his first year he attended the spring training facility where he played for the Gulf Coast Mets winning a minor league championship. He then went on to play for the Capital City Bombers in 'A' ball winning another championship.

"In 2000 I was traded by the NY Mets to the Baltimore Orioles along with Melvin Mora, Leslie Brea, & Mike Kinkade for All-Star shortstop Mike Bordick. This was the year I got 'Tommy John' surgery and it changed my whole career. The following season I rehabbed and got back only to suffer another elbow surgery to remove bone chips and scar tissue. After rehabbing this injury in 2002 I suffered a broken foot. In 2003 during pre-season efforts to get ready for spring training I suffered another injury with my arm and decided to retire."

There was no question in his mind that even in retirement he was going to still be involved with baseball. He opened up and ran Batter Up, an indoor sports facility in Valley Cottage, for three years before closing it to begin another venture. Partnering with Brian Avilles they opened the K-Zone in the Nanuet Mall. They kept their business at the Mall despite the chatter that the mall was going to close. They had a successful business for  three years in that spot before the town determined to close the mall for reconstruction. 

Gorman and Avilles plan on re-opening a similar facility to K-Zone in the near future. They are working on determining the location and figuring out the details. Gorman trains about 200 kids a year, in both hitting and pitching. In the meantime, Pat plans on offering lessons for the upcoming fall ball season as well as the spring. Since the K-Zone is closed for now anyone interested can contact him directly at ambaseballcoach@aol.com.

In addition to the K-Zone he is also the head coach of the Albertus Magnus High School where he completed his third season this past spring. 

"We made it to the section Semi-Finals this year and lost. We did beat number one seed Keio in the Quarter final. After taking over my first season we were 12-8 and made the playoffs for the first time in five years and won the first round on a walk off home run. Coaching has been so rewarding watching 20 young men come as one and compete in the philosophy you train them to do."

Albertus is very fortunate to have this talented, dedicated, professional in charge of their team. 

Pat used to run baseball camps before he had his growing family. It got to be too demanding have young children and running camps all summer but he plans on having two weeks of baseball camp at Albertus next summer. 

As if his life isn't busy enough Pat is member of the Irish National Baseball Team.

"I was unable to make it to Barcelona this summer to compete, but I am looking forward to the next European Championships so I can help Ireland win. There is nothing like competing for your ancestors heritage, it is a great sense of pride."

Pat's energy and passion for baseball has turned his love of the game into a growing career. His experience playing in the minor and major leagues provides his players and students with an angle that most kids don't get to experience. 

If you know a promising young ball player, maybe Pat can give them an edge.