The smell of the grass, the crack of the bat, the roar of crowd…this can only mean one thing—Major League Baseball (MLB) is back, and it’s time to play ball! The season, which began in early April and extends into October, is now in full swing. Fans everywhere are rooting for their favorite team, marveling at action-packed plays, and harnessing high hopes for post-season glory. And here at Sunrider World Headquarters, there’s one baseball fan who has a personal reason to be especially excited about the season: Janene Ulrich, Director of Human Resources, is the aunt and godmother of Skip Schumaker, a rising young star on the St. Louis Cardinals. Skip was born in Torrance, California (home city of Sunrider World Headquarters!), and attended U.C. Santa Barbara, where he studied and played baseball. He was drafted during his junior year (2001) by the Cardinals in the 5th round of the amateur draft. After spending four years in their minor league system, Skip played his first Major League game in 2005. After displaying versatility and phenomenal play the past three seasons (batting over .300!), he earned the Cardinals starting second basemen spot, and was later rewarded with a two-year, $4.7-million contract in February of this year. Way to go, Skip!
But that’s not all. Skip isn’t Janene’s only family connection to baseball. Skip’s sister (and Janene’s niece), Hayley Schumaker, is the fiancée of Cleveland Indians pitcher Anthony Reyes (the winning pitcher of the first game of the 2006 World Series, when he played for St. Louis). This past March, Janene traveled to Goodyear, Arizona with Hayley to see Anthony and watch some of his team’s Spring Training games. Janene reports that Anthony is currently on the disabled list after elbow surgery, but is expected to be ready to play by June or July. Janene mentioned that while in Arizona watching games in the sunny outdoor stadium, she and Haley refreshed themselves with Shaker Bottles filled with ice-cold Sunrider® beverages. Janene says Sunrider® products are so great that she now takes them with her everywhere she goes, including baseball road trips. We’ve included two pictures from the Arizona trip that Janene shared of her niece, whom some may even recognize from her former days on the NFL sidelines, performing as a San Diego “Chargers Girl” cheerleader.
We hope you have a blast this baseball season rooting for your favorite team. And while you’re at it, please keep an eye on (and cheer for!) a certain second baseman on the St. Louis Cardinals!
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