By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
On June 24, 2016, southpaw Matt Imhof entered in the ninth inning of a 9-2 Clearwater Threshers lead over Brevard County. Imhof needed only 10 pitches to retire the Manatees in order, securing his third-career game finished out of 43 overall appearances.
Little to Imhof's knowledge at that time, he would never play in a professional baseball game ever again.
Imhof partook in a stretch routine following the game, when a malfunctioned resistance band equipment piece struck his right eye. The Hayward, California, native underwent surgery in attempt to salvage his eye and baseball career, but, unfortunately, efforts were not a success. Imhof had his right eye surgically removed shortly after to offer him the best chance to "live a normal life," as doctors said the eye was "crushed like a grape."
Imhof announced his retirement in a self-written ESPN article on Jan. 25, 2017. Imhof refused to let the injury to define him:
"I had two options. I could let this injury define me. I could be angry — no one would blame me for that. I could be depressed, feel sorry for myself and live in the past. I could let the rest of my life be defined by the worst day of my life. Or, I could pick myself up, dust myself off and move on."
It appears Imhof has stuck by his word, as on June 20, he landed himself into a Financial Advisor role with the the Henderson, Nevada-based Focus Capital Partners. Imhof previously interned with Argent Management, and has served as a self-employed freelance writer and motivational speaker.
Imhof serves as an advisor to Focus Capital Partners' professional athlete clientele. He earned a bachelor's degree with honors in business administration — with a concentration in financial management — from California Polytechnic University in 2017.
"Matt has coached various levels of baseball including nonprofit youth baseball all the way up to grooming college prospects for the MLB draft," www.fcpprivatewealth.com states of Imhof. "Due to Matt’s unique experience, as a professional baseball player, he adds exceptional experience to the firm and the clients that we serve."
Chong Nam, Focus Capital Partners Managing Member, called Imhof "an individual of very high character." "We are very excited to have Matt join the group," he said. "I have known Matt personally for many years … his unique profile of experience in professional baseball coupled with an accomplished academic career will perfectly complement our practice and our continued focus on advising professional athletes."
Imhof, now 24, was drafted in the second round of the 2014 amateur draft out of California Polytechnic State University, the same school which produced 19-year-veteran and 15-time All-Star Hall of Fame shortstop, Ozzie Smith. Imhof was ranked as the Phillies' 19th prospect in 2015, but was not ranked during his last professional season in 2016.
Once said by Walt Disney, "All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them." While one dream of Imhof's was shattered, he surely appears to be making the most out of another.
(H/t Jerry Crasnick)
