Former Falcon Bryan Longpre opts to retire from pro baseball
While uncorking a pitch in June for the Lansing Lugnuts, Bryan Longpre felt a pain shoot through his right elbow.
Longpre, a 2005 Crescenta Valley High graduate, had an idea that he damaged a ligament in his elbow. He continued to pitch, though the discomfort didn’t subside and was diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar nerve ligament.
“Maybe I was too old school and I tried to fight through it,” Longpre said. “My velocity went down, and I wasn’t sure if I should rest it or have surgery.
“I just knew that it would be a long road toward recovery.”
Thus, Longpre has decided to retire from his professional baseball career following three seasons in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
Longpre, a Cal State Northridge graduate, was signed as a free agent by Toronto in 2010. In three seasons in the minor leagues, Longpre went 7-7 with a 4.20 earned-run average. He struck out 93 in 107 innings.
The timing of Longpre’s retirement comes after he got married Sept. 29. He plans to begin a career shortly in finance, working for the Stone-Beck Group of Morgan Stanley in Glendale.
“I’ve had two dreams,” said Longpre, a former All-Area pick. “The first was to play baseball and the second is to be a financial advisor.
“Maybe I can help out some baseball players with their finances down the road.”
Longpre, 25, went 1-3 with a 5.92 ERA this past season while pitching for the Lansing Lugnuts, the Vancouver Canadians and the Dunedin Jays. He struck out 25 and walked 14 and allowed 34 runs (25) earned in 38 innings.
Crescenta Valley Coach Phil Torres said he agreed with Longpre’s decision to begin another career path.
“He’s a bright guy with an education,” Torres said. “He’s a great example of somebody who works hard and has great things happen to him.
“There comes a time when you reach a ceiling. He played college and got a taste of the big leagues. It was a great experience for him.”
Longpre said he doesn’t have any regrets with his career decision.
“I’m proud of what I’ve been able to accomplish,” Longpre said. “It’s sad to see my baseball career end, but I’ve since experienced a lot of new opportunities.
“I went a lot farther than my wildest dreams with baseball.”
