Aaron Siefken – Iowa Central CC & Bethany Lutheran College
2010, 2011 Rochester Honkers
Photo of Aaron and Wife Kellie

What’s your favorite memory while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
AS: There isn’t really one memory that sticks out for me. It is more the whole experience that I had while with the Honkers that generates the most memories for me. If I were to choose one specific memory from playing with Rochester it would be playing in the championship game in 2010. We had a well-rounded team and a coaching staff that was top notch as well. Coming up short wasn’t what anyone was expecting, but it was a great season nonetheless.

What’s your favorite non-playing memory from your time with the Rochester Honkers?
AS: I spent both of my years for Rochester with the Daly host family. Spending that time with them over the summer was a blessing and they treated me as part of the family. One specific memory that I have from staying there is playing HORSE in the back yard with their son Sam, who in 2011 was going to be going to St. Olaf to play basketball. I never lost, you can ask him on that too. In his defense he was handicapped because of a bum hip that he had surgery on before I was there. Being a competitor, it made me feel good that I could beat a college basketball player in a game of HORSE.

Who was your favorite teammate when you played for the Rochester Honkers and why?
AS: There isn’t just one, there are many. In 2010, Dan Pellegrino was a catcher for the Honkers that same season. He was one of the smartest baseball players I have ever met. He helped me raise my game to the next level and ultimately make be a better person and baseball player. The guy worked hard and was always willing to help a teammate out if they had a baseball question. In 2011, I was close with Davy Wright and Devin “Deebo” Thaut. Deebo was a roommate with me at the Daly’s and we spent nearly every day together going to the workout center and then heading to the field afterwards to take cuts before a game. Davy was one of the funniest guys on the team by far and had a fierce hunger to win. He was always one that was into the game no matter the situation.

What has happened to you since you left Rochester and what are you doing now?
AS: Since leaving the Honkers I took a job at Dragotec U.S.A., Inc. in the summer of 2012 as a Marketing Assistant and Farm Show Coordinator and have been there ever since. I was married to Kellie Morris this past fall (Nov. 1) and we just bought a house in Algona, IA a few weeks ago.

What was your biggest realization while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
AS: Once you are done with sports throughout life, you realize how much you love the game and wish that you could go back to the beginning with the knowledge that you learned all the way up to the end of your playing career. My advice for baseball players around the world would be to play your hardest every day and don’t take the game for granite. Baseball is a very rewarding sport and you never know when it could be taken away from you.

Do you stay in contact with former teammates? If so, who?
AS: A few, but not many. I still keep in touch with a handful of players via social media. With all of the social media now it is pretty easy to keep in contact with everyone. I would like to thank Dan and Kim for giving me a chance to play with the Honkers and give me these wonderful memories to share with future children. Playing with the Rochester Honkers is an experience and it is one that I will NEVER forget.

Thanks again for the memories,
Aaron Siefken