Bobby Pokorney has become a bit of a cult hero in Moose Jaw.
Broadcaster Rod Pedersen called the Miller Express infielder “the Ron Duguay of minor league baseball” with his long hair and rock star-like persona.
Nicknamed “Bobby Biceps”, Pokorney is happy to play the part while he’s in the midst of his second Western Canadian Baseball League season.
Last summer, the Margate, Florida native hit .252 with 21 runs batted in and four stolen bases in 42 games, admitting he didn’t realize how good of a league he was coming to.
Pokorney is a product of the Keystone University Giants of the Colonial States Athletic Conference, where he hit .333 with a homer, 42 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 47 games during his senior season.
He’s hoping to bring a WCBL championship back to Moose Jaw for the first time since 2002 and took some time recently to answer a few questions via Instagram for our latest 7th Inning Stretch.
1. Give us the origin story of the nickname and how it all came to be?
I played with a guy who had the biggest arms I’ve ever seen. I asked him, “if I hit a home run in my next at-bat, can I be Bobby Biceps?” I proceeded to lay down a bunt for a hit and he said, “that’ll do.”
2. How much fun are you having with stuff like interviews and fan interactions thanks to this kind of notoriety?
I’m happy to be representing the Moose Jaw Miller Express in a positive way. I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to interact with the fans for anything! It’s truly a feeling like no other.
3. You mentioned in a recent interview that you didn’t know what to expect when you came up to Canada last year. What were you expecting?
I had no prior knowledge of the league and was kind of taking a leap of faith. Coach (Eric) Marriott was all about business and seemed very driven about the direction that Moose Jaw was heading and I wanted to be on board. I wasn’t expecting to see the amount of talent I did within the league, though.
4. Being from Florida, were you a little surprised at what the baseball scene is like here?
Being from Florida, you are told by everyone how good the talent is down south. When I started playing here, I quickly realized that this league has more than enough talent and summer ball around here was going to be highly competitive.
5. What’s been your favourite part about playing with the Miller Express?
My favourite part of playing with the Miller Express is getting the opportunity to wear the “MX” with pride and represent something bigger than just the sport.
6. What’s your go-to walk-up tune?
“Music Sounds Better With You” by Stardust.
7. If you had any advice or words of wisdom for young kids looking to chase the baseball dream and end up in your shoes one day, what would you say to them?
I would tell them to play the game hard and passionately. If you truly love this game, let it be shown on the field. It’s a game of failure, so it’s all about how you bounce back after being knocked down.
The Miller Express are home to Saskatoon and Swift Current this week before a road date in Regina on Saturday, then come home again for Canada Day against the Edmonton Prospects.
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