New York Yankees Editorial: Joey Falcone: From Marines To Ivy League To Yankees

Joey Falcone is a prospect unlike any other in the rookie-level Gulf Goast League.  At 29, he is more than 10 years older than several of his teammates, and has served three tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan as a Marines medic.  Falcone, who went undrafted, was given an opportunity by the New York Yankees after starring at Columbia University during a senior season which he almost led the team to the Super Regionals.

Falcone made his professional debut Wednesday going 1-4.  After struggling academically in high school, Falcone didn’t have any Division I opportunities, and enlisted in the Marines at 17, serving overseas over the course of the next six years.  Upon returning to Brooklyn, Falcone decided to walk on at the College of Staten Island, a Division III school.  After hitting .336 in his first season, Falcone was named the City University of New York Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year, leading his team to a conference championship.

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Falcone then transferred to Columbia for his sophomore season, and performed well, but didn’t receive much time on the field as a junior, as he struggled to hit, and even considered quitting after his benching.  Falcone instead chose to play summer ball in the Atlantic Baseball Confederation, and, with the help of former Yankees prospect Eric Duncan, rediscovered his swing.

Upon returning for his season year, Falcone hit .323 with 11 home runs and 54 RBI’s while being unanimously named to the All-Ivy League first team and earning a selection for the ABCA/Rawlings All-Northeast Region squad.

While Falcone is finally getting his chance, the odds are stacked against him to reach the majors.  Still, for this former Marine, even reaching professional baseball after serving the nation is remarkable enough, and he could continue to defy the odds.

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