said, ‘Amy, how would you like to live in Bradenton, Florida?’ She
looked at me, and said, ‘When are we packing up the house?
Let’s go!’ So, the rest is history.”
Podobnik’s rst ofcial spring training season in Bradenton was
1991. “When I rst came down, the Pirates were on the verge of
leaving Bradenton and going to Winter Haven,” he recalls. “There
was a committee put together with the Chamber of Commerce,
and they rallied and worked hard to work with the city and the
Pirates to keep us here.”
After nine years in Bradenton, Podobnik moved back to Pittsburgh
to help out with the development of PNC Park. “I worked in the
construction ofce at PNC Park for a year, and then I served
as Senior Director of Security and Contract Services for the
ballpark.” Podobnik held that position for 17 years.
In 2016, Director of Florida Operations Trevor Gooby left the
Pirates to take a job with the Seattle Mariners. “My wife and I
had just gotten back from moving our middle son to West Palm
Beach,” Podobnik says. “She had always said she wanted go
back to Bradenton.” Podobnik decided to throw his hat in the
ring for the position.
Later that day, Podobnik called his wife on the phone, and their
conversation was like déjà vu. “I said, ‘What do you think about
moving back to Bradenton?’” he says. “And, again, she said,
‘When are we packing the house?’” he laughs.
Back in Bradenton
Needless to say, Jeff and Amy are thrilled to be back in
Bradenton. “It’s an awesome community, and there’s so much to
do on a year-round basis here,” Podobnik says. “The community
is so open and warm and welcoming. When we came back, we
were able to pick up with old friends like it was just yesterday.”
When he’s not working, Jeff enjoys playing golf and spending
time with his family. He and Amy have three sons: Tyler (26),
Cooper (22) and Josh (1).
A graduate of Ohio State University, Tyler is a lieutenant in the
Marine Corps. He and his wife Alex are stationed in Okinawa,
Japan, and they are expecting a baby in May. “Amy and I are
going to be grandparents for the rst time, and we are so excited!”
Podobnik says.
Their second son, Cooper, is a registered nurse who specializes
in Cardiology. He works in the Tampa General Hospital ICU and
lives in St.Petersburg.
Josh, their youngest, is in seventh grade at Braden River Middle.
“He plays travel baseball—he’s a catcher—and he’s passionate
about the sport,” says Podobnik. Every day after school, Josh
visits his dad’s ofce. “After work, we’re in the cages and hitting
baseballs,” Podobnik says. “He loves it that much.”
When asked if they’ll ever leave Bradenton again, Jeff answers
without hesitation: “We’re here to stay.”
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