Joseph Cardinal of Pueblo Centennial High School has a special connection to the game of baseball – he grew up tagging along with his brother, JJ, playing the sport they both love. After a successful senior year, Joseph is now following in JJ’s footsteps and is committed to playing college baseball at Northeastern Junior College, where his brother has also transferred.
Joseph’s passion for the sport was ignited by his dad, who introduced him to the sport. His brother, however, took Joseph’s abilities to another level, teaching him to focus on the details that contribute to big winning plays. As a senior, Joseph is proving his worth on the field with his tenacity and hard work.
The brothers experienced just one season playing together due to the pandemic, but it was still a special moment for them to turn a triple play with their unique connection. Joseph also draws inspiration from professional players like Manny Machado and Juan Soto.
Getting to this point in career, however, hasn’t been easy for Joseph. He was forced to give up his jersey his sophomore year for letting his grades slip. After this catastrophic low, Joseph embraced this failure and has never looked back, maintaining a steady 4.0 GPA ever since.
Joseph and JJ are now looking forward to reuniting on the diamond and shooting for the state title. Playing alongside JJ was the highlight of Joseph’s career so far, and the two brothers are sure to bring their best to the college field.
Trinidad State Junior College is a two-year college based in Alamosa, Colorado with two campuses. Founded in 1925, it is the largest two-year institution in the country, offering an extensive array of courses, services, and activities. The college provides upwards of 170 different degrees and certificates to prepare students for the 21st century. With the addition of Cardinal brothers in the fold, the team looks to be stronger and potentially make an impact in the future of college baseball.
