Jay Thomason is living his dream, playing professional baseball with the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels. The Minnesota Twins drafted him in 2024 on the last day, in the 17th round.
“I’m coming back from Whole Foods, I got some food to cook with that night and it’s like pouring rain,” said Thomason.
“Well my phone gets stuck up on the draft tracker and like the pick it will not come through. And then my phone starts flooding with texts like congrats you did it,” said Thomason.
Thomason is not just a ballplayer; he is also a senior airman in the Air Force, currently in the inactive ready reserve.
“I’m still a senior airman in the Air Force but I’m in the inactive ready reserve,” said Thomason.
His time at the Air Force Academy played a pivotal role in his life.
“I truly think I can conquer anything that life presents me,” said Thomason. “I’m not saying it out of arrogance. Just the confidence that you gain through going through all of those challenges along the way.”
Thomason faced tests in the classroom, on the baseball field, and in military training, which included flying in an F-16.
“It was the craziest roller coaster you’ve ever been on times a hundred,” said Thomason. “We went 8.5 Gs and I passed out going on 8.5 G turn.”
He also experienced the thrill of jumping out of planes.
“I actually almost gave up baseball to do this, which is crazy to think about,” said Thomason.
Every time Thomason steps onto the field, he thinks about his friends serving the country.
“I get to salute during the national anthem and I have some of the Latin guys on the team asking me why do you salute? I get to explain,” said Thomason. “Right now I haven’t served at all. I’ll have some fans say thank you for your service. I’m like I haven’t done anything right now. But my buddies that I graduated with my brothers that were in my class they’re actually doing it. And it’s cool like I feel like I’m able to represent them and bring awareness to them,” said Thomason.