Speak softly and carry a big stick

After joining the University of Cincinnati Baseball team in 2005, senior first baseman/catcher/designated hitter Neall French experienced injury after injury, deterring his impact on the Bearcats roster.

Two seasons later, after patiently waiting for his time to shine, French was injury free and exploded with a team-high 11 home runs and a league-leading 65 RBIs.

"It's been amazing," French said. "I have been through some difficult times but the coaches have always given me an opportunity to come back. They've given me the opportunity and I've just tried to work as hard as I can to take advantage of that."

"Frenchy," the nickname Neall has acquired from his peers out on the diamond, the media and the fans, has done more than take advantage, starting 55 games and giving quality defensive effort at first base and catcher and four "good" at bats everyday according to head coach Brian Cleary.

"The most impressive thing to me about what he's done is that he's been so consistent," Cleary said. "[He] doesn't chase much, [he] doesn't get fooled. You can really rely on him for a consistent performance everyday at the plate and that's something that's hard to do."

Standing 6 feet 3 inches and weighing 220 pounds, being a product of Cleveland, Ohio's St. Ignatius High School, which boasts a football program with nine state championships and three national titles, and having a grandfather (Jack) and father (Barry) who both played collegiate football, the stage was set for French to become the next grid-iron star.

But the Bay Village, Ohio native saw otherwise after going to Bucky Dent's Baseball School in Delray, Fla. at eight years old and having a brother (Barry Jr.), who played in college, "push" him to pursue America's pastime.

The tutelage he received at baseball school, the mentorship he accepted from his brother and the guidance he received from his best friend Gregg Zaun, starting catcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, have all made French a natural out on the field, according to Cleary.

"He's a good baseball mind," Cleary said. "There's some guys that know the game, and there's some guys that really know the game and he's one of those guys that really knows it."

When he's not holding his own in Marge Schott Stadium, French is hanging out in "The Cave" with his friend, roommate and teammate, junior pitcher John Baird. French calls their place "The Cave" because it's so dark. The two played together for the Delaware Cows of the Great Lakes League last summer, both earning all-league first team honors.

"I'm more of a quiet person," French said. "I like a lot of quiet time on my own."

He may enjoy being alone, but French always finds time for his friends, his mom (Mary Ellen) and the rest of the French Family. He's probably on the phone with them right now.

"I'm always on my phone," French said. "[My friends] give me a lot of stuff about being on my phone all the time."

May 19, Senior Day, French closed the chapter on his UC career in grand fashion launching his 11th home run of the season against the University of Louisville. French soon will most likely begin a new chapter in his life, fulfilling his life-long dream of joining his best friend Zaun in the major leagues.