Meet Your Neighbor Nick Bierbrodt

Nick Bierbrodt's journey through professional baseball is nothing short of extraordinary. As the first-ever draft pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1996, he quickly established himself as a promising young talent. Yet his story is not just about his accomplishments on the mound, but also about his resilience, adaptability, and eventual transition to a life as a firefighter and a mentor to young athletes.

Bierbrodt, now a Niwot resident, recalled being drafted right out of high school fondly. "Being drafted was amazing," he remembered. "It was something I looked forward to my whole life, especially when I got to high school and realized it was something that could happen to me."

Bierbrodt's time in the minor leagues was marked by key moments and valuable lessons. He was fortunate to have exceptional coaches who accelerated his development, and the newness of the Diamondbacks organization meant fewer obstacles in his path to the majors. "There weren't a bunch of players already in front of me (when I got drafted)," he explained. "As long as I stayed healthy and did what I was supposed to do, I kept moving forward."

The transition to the majors came with its own set of challenges. Bierbrodt describes his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2001 as a nerve-wracking experience. "I just put too much pressure on myself," he admitted.

Growing up in Long Beach, California, Bierbrodt had been watching the Dodgers his whole life. His family traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, to watch his debut game against their hometown team. "I knew everyone was watching, whether in person or on the TV. I was nervous and my performance reflected that."

Throughout his career, Bierbrodt faced numerous challenges, particularly with staying healthy. "When I was healthy, I pitched very well," he notes. "But if you're not healthy, it's hard to be at your best." His approach to challenges he came upon was to face them head-on, a mentality he carries into his current roles.

Bierbrodt's career also took him overseas in 2007, where he played in Taiwan. He said the experience was enriching both culturally and professionally. "It was pretty cool to live in a different country and play baseball," he said. "No matter what league you're playing in, baseball is baseball." The differences in crowd behavior and the overall atmosphere of the games made it a unique chapter in his life.

After retiring from baseball in 2011, Bierbrodt found a new calling as a firefighter, a transition inspired by a friend's suggestion. "I found a lot of similarities to baseball with the training and teamwork," he explained. "Once I saw that, it felt like a natural fit." His eleven-year career as a firefighter has been marked by significant moments, including being credited with saving five lives by performing CPR as a paramedic for the station.

In addition to his firefighting career, Bierbrodt has had a role as a youth baseball coach for many years. He has coached one of his sons, Kaige, who is about to be a senior at Niwot High School, all the way up, and also has a role coaching his younger eleven-year-old son, Jake. Just this past season, Bierbrodt took on a role as an assistant coach for Niwot High School's varsity baseball team, and this summer is on the coaching staff for the USA-LABC Classic team, which is scheduled to play in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Kaige is a member of the 18U team as well.

Coaching has allowed him to share the knowledge and experiences he gained during his professional career. "It's fun to know that I can share a lot more knowledge with the high school kids. I can tell them little strategies and intricacies that most people in the stands aren't aware of and they implement it into their play." His approach to coaching emphasizes hard work and dedication, both values he deems crucial for success in any field.

Looking back, Bierbrodt takes pride in his longevity in the sport, having played for sixteen years despite significant physical setbacks, including being shot twice in a random act of violence while in a taxi at a drive-through restaurant, and having a rib removed. "To overcome those and continue to play, that puts a smile on my face," he reflected. His journey is a testament to his resilience and determination.

For those aspiring to play in the MLB, Bierbrodt's advice is straightforward - prepare your body, stay healthy, and work hard. "If you're not healthy, you can't be on the field performing at your best," he emphasized. He also stressed the importance of believing in oneself and chasing one's dream, regardless of the obstacles.

"My dream was to play in the MLB and I was lucky enough to succeed at it. There's a lot of life to live after baseball," he said. "Everyone has a chance to get a job and be a normal person, but if someone wants to chase their dream first, whatever it is, they should chase the dream."

Bierbrodt now lives just east of Niwot on a farm with his wife, Jami Kennedy-Bierbrodt, and their three children Kaige, Joie, and Jake.