Anthony Vega: The IronBirds’ Superjock

By Catherine Winchester

A two-sport athlete hailing from Manhattan College, Outfielder Anthony Vega is a surprising and unique addition to the Aberdeen IronBirds.

At Manhattan College, Vega was also a member of the Manhattan Indoor Track and Field team. Staying competitive in sports such as football and track and field, Vega gained skills in which he applied to baseball.  Skills in these sports complemented the skills Vega needed in baseball. Vega says involvement in other sports, “made me a lot stronger, put me on a workout regiment, and kept me active.”

Vega led Manhattan to its second MAAC championship in 2012 where he led with a .500 batting average.  During the season Vega set career highs leading the team in batting average (.326), runs scored (41), triples (4), stolen bases (32), total bases (108), and slugging percentage (.476). Vega also posted a .993 fielding percentage, with only one error for the season. Vega also scored 5 home runs and 41 RBI.

A native of Patchogue, NY Vega was selected in the 30^th round of the 2012 MLB draft. Coming from a small college, Vega is accustomed to playing in front of a small crowd of one hundred or less. With the IronBirds Vega is able to enjoy playing in front of thousands each night. However, Vega humbly states that although the atmosphere and the fields are nicer, “baseball is baseball and the game doesn’t change.”

Vega attended Patchogue-Medford High School where hit .328 and had a .488 on-base percentage as a senior. Vega lettered in both Track and Football. As a junior, Vega helped lead his high school football team to the Big Four Championship and was ranked 17^th in the country for the 100 meter dash in track. 

Even after dabbling in other sports, Vega always put baseball first and says “I’m getting paid to do my favorite thing in the world and every baseball player has the dream of becoming a major leaguer and this has gotten me one step closer to my dream.”

The loyal fans and the pristine field at Ripken Stadium are two of Vega’s favorite perks of being an IronBird.  Vega says, “The fans are great here, whenever things are going badly you don’t see people leaving,” adding, “It’s been a nice experience.”