The Cairns Post
Tuesday 31st August 2004

Cairns product Brett Roneberg is looking forward to the off-season - a rare comment from a soon-to-be-out-of-contract United States minor league baseballer.

Back at work for the final week of Portland's season after a memorable two-week Greek holiday, the Olympic Silver Medallist was swamped by team-mates, trainers and officials when he first arrived at the Sea Dogs clubhouse on Friday.

It was all the justification Roneberg needed, after debating all year whether to play in the Olympics or keep chasing his major league dream.

"It was a tough decision for me to make but considering what has happened, it was the best thing I could have done," Roneberg said.
"I got international exposure and more things could come from that."

The irony of Roneberg's historic Olympic achievement was that, in a roundabout way, it was the result of four years hard work trying to avoid playing the Athens Games.
Like most of Australia's elite baseballers, Roneberg's dream has always been America's major league.
After representing Australia at the 2000 Games and spending the past seven years working his way through the minors, the 25-year-old was willing to forgo Athens if it jeopardised his major league aspirations.
It shaped as a 'catch-22' situation.

But after his bosses gave him the green light six weeks before the start, it ended as a definite win-win.

Aside from winning Silver, Roneberg starred under the intense spotlight of the Olympics.
He led Australia in batting average (0.361) and home runs (3), sparking the team into action during crucial stages of the tournament.

"I guess achieving the medal is a great help for my career.
All of the Americans from 2000 had a chance in the majors leagues so hopefully a silver will help us out in all of our dreams," Roneberg said.

Silver in his pocket, Roneberg said he would not part with the medal for anything, not even his life-long dream.
"I would never trade my medal for a shot at the big leagues because nothing can compare to playing for your country, Roneberg said.
"The thoughts and memories I have still give me chills. It's a great feeling and I wouldn't trade anything for it.
As for next year, I don't have a contract right now.
I signed a one-year deal last year so I am just going to take my time and make a decision that works best for me."