e end of a baseball career put Pete Delkus on the map as

For the
love of Pete
The end of a baseball career put Pete Delkus on the map
as an Emmy award-winning meteorologist.
BY BRIT MOTT | PHOTOS BY BRANDON HURD
32 planoprofile.com | December 2015
December 2015 | planoprofile.com 33
A line of old baseballs, saved from big
wins, sits atop a shelf in Pete’s home
office. Plaques, ribbons, trophies and
other memorabilia share wall and shelf
space with his 10 Emmy Awards, all
tokens of triumph in Pete’s story.
Q&A: Pete Delkus
How long have you called Plano home?
We moved to Plano to work at WFAA so, it will be 11 years this spring.
Through TV and baseball, I’ve lived in many cities, and by far, Plano is our
favorite. The exceptional schools, well planned and convenient layout, and
friendly neighbors make it the perfect place to raise a family.
Who inspires you?
There’s really not any one person; it is more a combination of people.
When I begin a new endeavor or task, I look to people who are successful
in that area and model what they do—no need to reinvent the wheel.
When you feel you are getting burned out, what
motivates you to keep going?
One of the many benefits of playing baseball (or any sport) is that it
builds perseverance and a never-give-up attitude. Especially, if you were
like me and were told, “you will never make it.” That experience made me
a very self-motivated person. I also still have my competitive spirit so I
never want to slack off and let someone get ahead of me.
Do you reminisce often?
I don’t reminisce very often, but I have several friends from my playing
days that are now coaching and managing in the Major Leagues, and when
they come to town, it’s always fun to get together and catch up.
What would your 20-year-old self tell Pete Delkus today?
I am an A-type, motivated, planner so, I would tell my younger self to slow
down and take the time to enjoy and appreciate today.
Baseball career highlights
1987 Pete is assigned to Elizabethton,
Tennessee, in the Appalachian League, where
in 37.2 innings of relief, he surrenders 29
hits, strikes out 44 batters, and allows only
five earned runs for a 1.19 ERA (Earned Run
Average).
1988 Pete is assigned to Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Class-A affiliate of the Twins in the
Midwest League at the time, where he pitches
in 68 innings, strikes out 58, gives up 43 hits,
and records 33 saves; he gives up only 13 total
runs, two of which are earned for a 0.26 ERA.
1989 Pete is promoted to Double-A
Orlando of the Southern League, where he is
a Leading Pitcher with a 1.87 ERA in 139.2
innings.
1990 Pete is promoted to the Triple-A
Portland Beavers in the Pacific Coast League
and pitches in 67 games with a 4.18 ERA. He
is placed on the 40-man roster for Minnesota.
Source: “Pete Delkus, A story of perseverance” by WFAA
Sports Blogger Patrick Despain (http://www.wfaa.com/
story/sports/mlb/blog/2014/08/21/14241638/)
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I spend a lot of my time watching my kids in extracurricular activities
so, most weekends you can find me at a baseball field or listening to my
daughter sing. And when time permits, I enjoy the great outdoors—
hiking, fly fishing and bird hunting with my three dogs.
What’s the one thing you want to be known for?
My dad always instilled in my brothers and me, the importance of having
a good reputation and being kind to others.
Get a behind-thescenes look at our
photo shoot with
Pete Delkus at
planoprofile.com/
delkus
December 2015 | planoprofile.com 35