By WENDELL WOOD
What is a silver medalist and former Major League All-Star doing in Provo during the summer? He is doing what he loves. Former Olympian and Cleveland Indians All-Star Cory Snyder is back in Provo teaching kids how to play baseball.
“It’s the kids,” Snyder said. “I enjoy teaching the kids. I have a batting cage in my backyard at home, and I teach them out of that.”
Snyder, 37, from Inglewood, Calif., attended BYU on a baseball scholarship along with San Diego Padre’s first baseman Wally Joyner and Minnesota Twins pitcher Rick Aguilera.
After graduating from BYU, Snyder was selected along with Mark McGwire and other college athletes to represent the United States on the 1984 Olympic Baseball Team, which won the silver medal in Los Angeles.
“It was probably one of the best experiences I’ve had,” Snyder said referring to his Olympic experience. “Probably better than any in the big league. When you get to do something you love and do it for your country and in California in Dodger Stadium, there is nothing better than that.”
Snyder’s success did not stop there. He was drafted in 1984 into the Cleveland Indian Organization. After spending two years in the Minor League, Snyder started 103 games for the Indians in 1986.
Snyder had his best season in the Major Leagues in 1987. He started 157 games for the Indians and hit 33 home runs and 82 RBIs, not to mention being featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
Snyder continued to play for the Indians for three more years before he was traded to four different teams in four years: the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Chicago White Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays and the San Francisco Giants.
Two years ago Snyder officially retired from the Major Leagues after attending training camp with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Snyder now lives in Laguna Hills, Calif., where he owns a sporting goods store and helps the local baseball teams whenever possible. Snyder is married and has five children ages 3, 5, 7, 8 and 9 months old. His 5-year-old son J.C. is helping with the teaching duties while his 8-year-old sister is attending a gymnastics camp at BYU.
“We all drove out here in a big motor home,” Snyder said. “I just wanted to get back up here, because the three years that I was up here at BYU were outstanding. They were great. I still have a lot of friends up here.”
Snyder also said he enjoys playing golf in his spare time. With a two handicap, he has also thought about dedicating a little more time to develop his game. However, Snyder said he is looking to get out of the retail store business and try to devote more time to his family and coaching.
“I’ve been thinking about coaching maybe,” Snyder said. “I’m going to talk to coach Pullins about maybe up here or coaching high school or something. I enjoy the high school level. I enjoy working with the kids.”
“Cory is a good guy,” said former BYU athletic director Glen Tuckett. “He’s great with people.”
