All America: Josh Osich

Update: Since publication of this story, Josh Osich was called up to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats on June 26th. He made his MLB debut with theGiants on July 3rd and did not allow a hit through his first 22 batters faced.

Josh Osich grew up raising Black Angus beef cattle in Idaho and spent his childhood playing basketball, football, baseball and wrestling, a very American upbringing. He also grew up with a connection to the military; his grandparents, uncles and family friends that were in the Army, Navy and Air Force.

"If I didn't play baseball I'd probably be in the military," said Osich. "I have a strong opinion on military stuff." 

With most of his life spent on the west coast, Osich has spent the majority of the last three years on the other side of the country in Richmond as a Flying Squirrels reliever. 

"Since it's my third season here, I've finally figured it out. It's nice to go out there every time and have the fans know who you are," said Osich.

Throughout his time in Richmond, Osich has become someone his team can count on. 

"He's a leader with the guys out there," said pitching coach Steve Kline. "It's always nice to have him, you know he's a hard worker, he does everything that I ask out of him and he comes in ready to play every day." 

Part of Osich being ready to play is him staying healthy, especially after battling injuries the past three seasons. Osich attributes his success this year to adding a new pitch to his skill set, but Kline thinks it has to do with something simpler than that, his health. 

"Being able to go out there every day and pitch, it's a little different when you're trying to feel for an injury," said Kline. "He's matured, he's gotten a lot better every year and now hopefully we can get him out of here someday and see him in the big leagues."

He's also become someone the community can count on. Anytime a community service opportunity arises, Josh Osich is the first name on the list. 

"In 26 years of minor league baseball, he is one of the most community minded players I have ever met," said Todd "Parney" Parnell, Squirrels VP and COO. 

Thought of as an "old fashioned boy next door" or a "steak and potatoes" kind of guy according to Parney, Osich has made The Diamond his home, sometimes literally. He has a bed in the back of his truck and even set up a fan on the tailgate. The bed consists of thick moving blankets. 

"I had a bunch of them," said Osich. "I have a pillow back there and I just keep the cover over so it's dark and you can just take a nap." 
    
Even though he has made his home here in Richmond the past three seasons, the Eastern League co-leader in saves with 19, may soon be heading back across the country with his truck in tow. 

"He's there, he's ready to go, it's just that we're in a holding pattern right now," said Kline. "His stuff plays at the next levels. He just has to show that he's healthy, that he can do this every day cause up in big leagues, it's an everyday grind."

His time in Richmond has taught him to be patient and as for what motivates him for each game, each outing, "I remind myself everyday, I have a picture on my phone for what I'm working towards," said Osich as he showed his phone background, one of a major league baseball. "So I just keep that in mind."

With ties to the military, Osich has a special appreciation for everything that goes along with it and sees baseball as a way to honor the military by playing "America's Game".

A small yet impactful way that Osich honors his patriot roots is through a pair of socks that he wears every day. The socks are mismatched, which ironically happens to be Osich's biggest pet peeve. One is red and white striped with stars and the other just red and white striped, but according to him this pair isn't mismatched. 

"They're matching, it's the American flag when they come together," said Osich…which seems to make it okay.