Former Hurler Named VP For Potomac Nats

By Jim DeAngio

At 30 years of age, Bobby Holland’s life has already come full circle. Having grown up going to Richmond Braves games with his dad, he now takes his kids to games, where they eat ice cream, play with the mascot and root for the home team. “His team” would be more accurate, as Holland recently was promoted to vice president of the Potomac Nationals, a Carolina League affiliate of the Washington Nationals located in Woodbridge, Va.

“I couldn’t ask to be in a better situation,” exclaimed the former Monarch hurler and 1999 graduate. “I get to interact with the players, the coaches and scouts from our team and from the big-league club.”

Holland pitched for ODU from 1996-99. Coming out of the bullpen, he appeared in 64 games, none more memorable than the ’96 CAA championship game, for which he was credited with the win.

By his senior year, however, he was told his pitching would be limited. In trying to increase the speed of his fastball, he had changed his mechanics and developed control problems.

Despite having to give up his dream of playing professionally, Holland calls his time on campus “unforgettable.” And the lessons he learned in time management served him well when he interned for the Richmond Braves and returned after graduation as a manager for ticketing and corporate sales.

When Holland signed on with the Nationals at the start of 2006, he achieved one of his goals: to become a general manager. He was promoted in August, adding vice president to his title.

“I am honored to be a part of the ‘grand master plan’ for improving the Nationals,” he said.