Andy Dominique

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to be able to contribute to a team like this. I see how hard these guys work, and when I come up here from Triple A it’s not a vacation.” — Andy Dominique, after his first major-league hit with the 2004 Red Sox1

Andy Dominique played nine games in the major leagues, seven of them with the 2004 World Series champion Boston Red Sox. His first major-league hit was in the clutch and helped the Red Sox win a game in May. That career highlight for the hefty catcher-third baseman-first baseman came after eight seasons riding the buses in the minor leagues. “He is heavy around the middle and jowly, and doesn’t have a hair on his head,” wrote Steve Buckley in the Boston Herald. “His eyes suggest many late-night bus rides, truck-stop dinners and hotel mattresses that don’t feel quite right.”2 It was a long journey to get there, but get there he did, and he has a World Series ring to show for it. Dominique’s name is all over the baseball record books at his alma mater, the University of Nevada-Reno. Andy Dominique continued to inspire youth in Nevada, teaching the fundamentals of the game, while giving a firsthand account about patience, dedication, and overcoming extreme setbacks.

Andrew John Dominique was born on October 30, 1975, in Tarzana, California, to Jeff and Karole (Jones) Dominique. Andy had two siblings, Kris and Wendy. Jeff, a CPA, was the chief financial officer of multiple real estate companies. He also coached his sons, and was the local Little League president, high-school athletic booster president, and home football game announcer.3 Andy attended Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills. As a sophomore he batted .323 with 6 home runs and 23 RBIs. He also helped the Southern California Cardinals win the Mickey Mantle World Series youth championship over a team from Baltimore. Dominique batted .409 in the series at Waterbury, Connecticut.4 As a junior, Dominique batted .393 with 2 home runs and 18 RBIs.5

Many, including Dominique, believed he would be drafted into the major leagues after he batted .493 in his senior year.6 Others were doubtful, some attributing his body size (210 pounds and under 6-feet) as the reason. “I always hoped and thought I could play professional baseball,” Dominique said. “I played with a lot of guys who knew for sure they were getting drafted out of high school. For me, it was a different story, because of my physical appearance. In baseball, it’s a long season, and you’ve got to be in shape all the way to the end. There’s always been a lot of question about a guy like myself, and it’s something I’m trying to work on constantly.”7

The next option was college, but Dominque struggled with dyslexia, which made SAT scores for college admission a major obstacle. He gave up his college dream, but his girlfriend encouraged him to seek tutoring and try again. His scores were good enough but all of his scholarships were rescinded, except one: Nevada-Reno. He enrolled, and Nevada became his home.8

Dominique set out to prove scouts were wrong by losing 19 pounds. “He’s a real competitive kid,” his coach at Nevada, Gary Powers, said. “He’s quicker, a little more alert and has more stamina. We saw how he could swing the bat. It was a matter of setting himself in motion and getting him into condition to play. I think he’s done a tremendous job.”9 In 56 games as a freshman, Dominique batted .317 with 8 home runs (.423 OBP, .896 OPS) as the starting third baseman. His batting numbers continued to impress as a sophomore when he batted .328 with 7 home runs (.387 OBP, .945 OPS). He played mostly third, but also first base and the outfield. He also played summer ball with the Kenosha Kroakers, champions of the new collegiate Northwoods League.10

Dominique’s junior year power numbers were out of sight. He had a stretch of slugging 10 home runs in 11 games, batting .500 (17-for-34) over that stretch. “The ball’s just popping off my bat,” he said. “I’m not trying to hit home runs. And that’s probably why I am doing so well. All I’m thinking about is driving the ball up the middle.”11 When he cracked home run number 15, he became the Wolf Pack’s single-season home-run leader.12 He finished the season batting .355 (.417 OBP, 1.138 OPS) with 17 home runs.

Dominique cemented his legacy at Nevada his senior year when he surpassed 35 career home runs, the Wolf Pack’s all-time leader. He kept on going, becoming both Big West Player of the Year and second-team All-American. He batted .353 and crushed 30 home runs with 96 RBIs, still Nevada single-season records.13 He left Nevada with several other school batting records that have since been surpassed, but his career home runs (62), single-season home runs (30), and RBIs (96) still ranked all-time as of 2023.14

Dominique was discovered by Philadelphia Phillies scout Mitch Sokol.15 The Phillies drafted Dominique in the 26th round of the June 1997 amateur draft. He was assigned to Batavia of the short-season Class-A New York-Penn League. He played first base and appeared in 72 games, batting .278 with 14 home runs, tied for the league lead. “I’m having fun,” Dominique said. “But I’m not going to get too excited. The wheels could come off any time.” He had a short commute, living with a family across the street from the club’s Dwyer Stadium.16 He was promoted to Piedmont of the Class-A South Atlantic League in 1998. He pounded 24 home runs and a team-record 102 RBIs, batting .282 with a .369 OBP.17

In 1999 Dominique was promoted to Clearwater of the advanced Class-A Florida State League. He batted .255 with 14 home runs and 92 RBIs and played the majority of his 130 games at catcher. His career-high 69 walks helped his .354 on-base percentage. In 2000 he was promoted to Reading of the Double-A Eastern League, where he batted .239 with 13 home runs.18

In 2001 Dominique batted .280 with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs in 76 games at Reading. He was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre of the Triple-A International League and batted a weak .170 in 40 games.19 In March 2002 Dominique underwent knee surgery and in April was acquired by Boston. He played 103 games at Trenton of the Eastern League and batted .272 with 8 home runs.20 Dominique dominated Double-A pitching in 2003, batting .361 (.454 OBP) in 32 games at Portland in the Eastern League. He was promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket and continued sizzling, hitting .305 with 13 home runs.

Dominique attended Fenway Park in January 2004 as a guest of Red Sox ownership. It was an orientation to help take away the shell-shocked response many rookies have when arriving in Boston. “It was something I’ll never forget,” he said. “So how will I react when I get that call? I have no idea. My emotions aren’t there yet. But I know I’ll be thinking about being a kid and dreaming of playing in the big leagues. That’s where this all began.”21 His dream would soon be realized.

Dominique had spent eight long years in professional baseball. “When you’ve been playing minor league baseball for a long time,” he said, “one of the questions you always get is, ‘When are you going to quit?’ And ‘When are you going to stop playing and make some money?’ I still play baseball, and I still love it. Keeping that in mind makes it a little easier to be in the minors.”22 His experience made him a leader in the Pawtucket clubhouse. “Everybody wants to be around Andy,” fellow catcher Kelly Shoppach said. “He’s funny. He makes you laugh. He’s one of those guys you have respect for, not only because he’s a good player, but because he leads you in the clubhouse. He’s a class act.”23

Dominique was batting .341 with 7 home runs and 38 RBIs at Pawtucket when he was called up to Boston on May 25 after Bill Mueller went on the disabled list. “It was a long road for me,” said Dominique. “I was really happy for that day to come. I couldn’t ask for anything better. I’m enjoying myself playing this game. It’s a fun thing to come in to work and see the faces like you do and it makes you really appreciate what you do for a living.”24 He broke the exciting news to his parents on their 30th anniversary.25

Dominique made his major-league debut that night as an eighth-inning defensive replacement in left field for Manny Ramírez with Oakland blowing out the Red Sox, 12-2. As Dominique came to the plate in the bottom of the eighth, he received a lengthy standing ovation from the Fenway Park crowd, recognizing the 28-year-old’s journey. “Whatever the reason was, it was an awesome feeling,” Dominique said. “It’s something I’ll never forget.”26 In the bottom of the eighth, he struck out against Justin Duchscherer in his first at-bat.

Dominique chose an opportune moment for his first hit and RBI in the major leagues. The Red Sox hosted Seattle for a Sunday afternoon contest on Memorial Day weekend, May 30. The Red Sox were cruising with a 5-1 lead in the eighth when the Mariners erupted for six runs and led, 7-5. In the bottom of the eighth, Jason Varitek led off with a single that glanced off pitcher Shigetoshi Hasegawa. Dave McCarty doubled off the wall in left, sending Varitek to third. Johnny Damon, originally given the day off, pinch-hit for Gabe Kapler. Seattle manager Bob Melvin countered by summoning left-hander Eddie Guardado from the bullpen. Damon launched a deep fly to right, scoring Varitek to cut Seattle’s lead to 7-6. Manager Terry Francona sent Dominique up to bat for Pokey Reese. Dominique singled to right to score McCarty with the tying run. He stayed in the game at first base and singled again in the 10th inning. McCarty hit a walk-off home run in the 12th inning and the Red Sox won, 9-7. “(Guardado) throws that good splitter out there and it was just a matter of me trying to get something up in the air. It just happened that I was able to stick it out there in right field,” Dominique said.27 The 31-19 Red Sox remained in first place by a half-game.

“I think every day there is something out there for us, and today it was out there for me to be able to get up there and get a base hit,” said Dominique. “It’s an unbelievable feeling to be able to contribute to a team like this. I see how hard these guys work, and when I come up here from Triple A it’s not a vacation. I see how hard they work, day in and day out, and I want to work just as hard as them and hopefully not let them down. I want to prove that I am grateful for the opportunity to be here and to be a part of the team.”28

Dominique’s first major-league start, on June 9, was one to forget. In a scoreless game with San Diego, he failed to scoop Nomar Garciaparra’s throw to first, which allowed a run to score, then overthrew Varitek at the plate, giving the Padres another run. Dominique went 0-for-4 and the Red Sox lost, 8-1. He was sent back to Pawtucket on June 11 when Scott Williamson was activated off the disabled list.29

Dominique was recalled in July when Trot Nixon went on the disabled list. He pinch-hit for Damon in a 12-5 Boston win over Baltimore on July 26 and fouled out. When Orlando Cabrera was acquired, Dominique was again sent back to Pawtucket.30 He was 2-for-11 in seven games. Boston went on to win the World Series and Dominique received a World Series ring.

Dominique was designated for assignment in September and signed to a minor-league deal by the New York Mets. After spring training, he was sold to the Toronto Blue Jays and sent to Syracuse of the Triple-A International League. He was batting .169 through 20 games in early May when Toronto needed an emergency catcher. Catcher Gregg Zaun was injured in a collision on the basepaths and went on the disabled list. Dominique was called up to replace him and he started on May 18 in Minnesota. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire tested the rusty catcher in the second inning and both Michael Cuddyer and Luis Rivas stole bases on poor throws to second. Dominique was pinch-hit for in the seventh and the Twins won, 3-2.31

Dominique’s final major-league appearance was as a pinch-hitter for Vernon Wells on May 22 in a Toronto 9-2 loss to Washington. He flied out to right and was sent back to Syracuse. His season was cut short due to a foot injury in late June.32 He signed a minor-league deal with Seattle in the offseason and was with them in spring training but sprained his knee. He was optioned to minor-league camp for rehab and played in exhibition games but was released in March. Dominique’s major-league career had ended.33

Dominique returned to Nevada and in 2008 became a volunteer hitting coach for the women’s softball team, which advanced to the NCAA Tournament. He became a full-time paid assistant in 2009 and continued with the club for several years.34 In 2008, Dominique was inducted into the University of Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame.35

Dominique married Jennifer Huffman. They have a daughter, Cassidy. His father, Jeff, is the owner and writer of the LA Dodger Chronicles blog.36

In January 2017 Dominique suffered a devastating stroke that left him without speech or ability to write for six months. The stroke caused aphasia, making it difficult for him to communicate. “There was a blood vessel that just basically burst in his brain,” his wife, Jen, disclosed. “That part of the brain basically fried, if you will, so he has to train a new part of the brain and the brain is such a unique, amazing organ, that it can be retrained.”37

Andy recalled the long recovery process. “I couldn’t say anything,” he said. “I had to learn how to respond when people talked to me.” He returned to the basics of the alphabet and simple word structure. He rarely went out in public. “His brain knows exactly what he wants to say, but it’s disconnected from the mouth,” Jen said.38

But recover he did and sure enough, Dominique went back to coaching. He became the coach of the baseball team at Wooster High School in Reno in 2019. “He slowly rebuilt his confidence,” Jen said. “He’s always had a heart and a desire to teach. When this opportunity came up, several people reached out and said, ‘You should do it.’ This is his next chapter of, post stroke, proving to himself that he can get out there.”39

“Baseball is my life,” Andy said. “I thought I was never going to do it again. That’s why I want to (coach Wooster).” He is able to inspire players by his own example of overcoming obstacles. “Even in high school,” Jen said, “He was told he would not amount to anything.”40

“Nobody is going to tell him he can’t do something,” Jen said.41

Sources

College statistics were taken from the baseballcube.com

Besides the sources listed in the Notes, the author was aided by Baseball-reference.com, Familysearch.org, Findagrave.com, Retrosheet.org, and the following:

Dominique, Jeff. “A Father and a AAAA Player,” in LA dodger talk blog, May 25, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2022. ladodgertalk.com/2019/05/25/a-father-and-a-aaaa-player/.

“Meet Your Wolfpack,” Reno-Gazette Journal, February 5, 1996: 2B.

Notes

1 Rich Thompson, “Dominique Steps Up and Delivers,” Boston Herald, May 31, 2004: 102.

2 Steve Buckley, “The Catchers in the Raw: PawSox Backstops Dominique, Shoppach Making Hay Down on the Farm,” Boston Herald, May 9, 2004: B18.

3 Jeff Dominique, “What Drives a Free Agent,” in the blog LA dodger talk. November 24, 2020. Retrieved June 28, 2022. ladodgertalk.com/2020/11/24/what-drives-a-free-agent/.

4 “Mission League,” Los Angeles Times, March 6, 1992: C12; Tim Trepany, “Dominique Is Finally Rewarded With a Title,” Los Angeles Daily News, August 15, 1991: S8.

5 Steve Elling, “Alemany’s Dominique Chooses Nevada,” Los Angeles Times, November 10, 1992: C7.

6 Eric Sondheimer, “Milligan Game Rosters Loaded with Prospects,” Los Angeles Daily News, June 8, 1993: S1.

7 Reid Spencer, “No Matter What His Shape, Dominique Is a Heavy Hitter,” Charlotte Observer, May 31, 1998: 18K.

8 Sondheimer, “Milligan Game Rosters”; Bill Ballou, “Man of Steel Isn’t So Super – Damon Is Bigger and Slower,” Worcester Telegram & Gazette, May 27, 2004: D4; Steve Henson, “Keeper of the Scores,” Los Angeles Times, February 8, 1996: C9.

9 Eric Sondheimer, “Dominique Shedding His Old Image After Not Being Drafted/Ex-Alemany Star Loses 19 Pounds While at Nevada,” Los Angeles Daily News, April 7, 1994: S9.

10 Andy Horschak, “Kroakers Win Title in Sweep,” Kenosha (Wisconsin) News, August 14, 1995: 19.

11 Joe Santoro, “Dominique on Pace to Snap Home Run Record,” Reno Gazette-Journal, March 19, 1996: 6C.

12 Joe Santoro, “Dominique Sets Packs HR Record,” Reno Gazette-Journal, May 4, 1996: 4F.

13 Joe Santoro, “Dominique Caps Senior Season With MVP Award,” Reno Gazette-Journal, May 16, 1997: 4E; “Dominique Named All-American,” Reno Gazette-Journal, May 30, 1997: D1.

14 2023 Nevada Baseball Record Book, 49. Retrieved April 20, 2023. https://nevadawolfpack.com/documents/2023/3/13/Baseball_2023_RecordBook.pdf; Joe Santoro, “Dominique, a Pro at Last, Enjoying the Ride,” Reno Gazette-Journal, August 24, 1997: 4D.

15 2004 Red Sox Media Guide, 101.

16 Dave Desmond, “Quick Beginning for Alemany’s Dominique,” Los Angeles Daily News, July 6, 1997: S11.

17 2004 Red Sox Media Guide, 102.

18 2004 Red Sox Media Guide, 102.

19 “Dominique Joins Red Barons,” Scranton Tribune, July 17, 2001: B5.

20 John Nalbone, “Reeling Thunder Face Changes,” Trenton (New Jersey) Times, April 27, 2002: E1; Van Rose, “Duckworth Baffles Columbus Hitters – Phillies’ Projected No. 3 or 4 Starter Joins Triple-A Red Barons for the Day And Shuts Out Yanks’ Farm Team Over 6 Innings,” Wilkes-Barre Times Leader, March 17, 2002: 1C; 2004 Red Sox Media Guide, 102.

21 Buckley.

22 Buckley.

23 Buckley.

24 John Connolly, “Dominique Gets Whiff of Success,” Boston Herald, May 27, 2004: 112.

25 Jeff Dominique, “Welcome to Dodger Chronicles,” in LA Dodger Chronicles blog. April 4, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2022. ladodgerchronicles.com/welcome-to-dodger-chronicles/.

26 Ballou, “Man of Steel,”

27 Thompson, “Dominique Steps Up.”

28 Thompson, “Dominique Steps Up.”

29 Mike Shalin, “Dominique Feels Heat,” Boston Herald, June 11, 2004: 116; Jeff Horrigan, “Red Sox Notebook: Dominique Sent Back Down,” Boston Herald, June 12, 2004: 44.

30 Phil O’Neill, “Injuries Keep Key Players Out,” Worcester Telegram & Gazette, July 26, 2004: D2; Bill Ballou, “Cabrera Debut a Smash,” Worcester Telegram & Gazette, August 2, 2004: D5.

31 John Lott, “Zaun Suffers ‘Scary’ Injury in Jays Loss,” Toronto National Post, May 9, 2005: S6;

“Bush Improves, but First Win Remains Elusive,” Toronto National Post, May 19, 2005: S5.

32 Matt Michael, “Skychiefs Corner,” Syracuse Post-Standard, July 22, 2005: C5.

33 Kirby Arnold, “Oldham Shines in Spring Start – Minor League Pitcher Thomas Oldham Subs for Felix Hernandez and Throws Three Scoreless Innings for the Mariners,” Everett (Washington) Daily Herald, March 29, 2006.

34 “Dominique Goes Back to Nevada Softball Program,” Nevada Appeal, August 19, 2009.

35 “Andy Dominique,” Nevada Wolf Pack Hall of Fame. Retrieved June 27, 2022. nevadawolfpack.com/honors/hall-of-fame/andy-dominique/151.

36 “About Us,” Dodger Chronicles. Retrieved June 27, 2022. ladodgerchronicles.com/about-us/.

37 Jim Krajewski, “After Suffering a Stroke, Dominique Named Baseball Coach at Wooster,” Reno Gazette Journal, October 19, 2019: 2B.

38 Krajewski,1B-2B.

39 Krajewski, 2B.

40 Krajewski, 1B-2B.

41 Krajewski, 2B.