RIO GRANDE VALLEY – The game of baseball has taken Jesse Gutierrez through quite the journey over the years and in July it took him into the Rio Grande Valley Sports Hall of Fame. 
 
Gutierrez played for legacy institution Texas-Pan American in 2000 where he hit 21 home runs that season, which still stands as the program's single season record. He went on to earn NCAA and AABC All-American honors and All-South Central Region honors after leading the nation in slugging percentage. 
 
Gutierrez's baseball journey would have never started if it wasn't for his dad, Joe. Gutierrez got his first taste of baseball when he would follow his dad to the ballpark on Sundays and when it was his turn to play, he found himself playing with the Boys and Girls Club in the summers. 
 
"My dad brought me into the sport," Gutierrez said. "Don't get me wrong. Just like everybody else, I played other sports in high school and junior high, but it just didn't click for me. I played some tennis. I played some junior high football, and I just didn't like it. I played some soccer in elementary but it's just that baseball stuck to me more. I guess because my dad took me to the games when he was playing when I was young and that just carried with me."
 
Gutierrez can't forget to acknowledge how great his mom was throughout his journey. She was the one who took him to practices and games. He also loves all the support from other family members who were always encouraging and there for him throughout his career. 
 
His dad was not only the reason he found baseball, but he was also his motivation and coach. That work ethic that got him through college and drafted twice, once in 1998 and the other in 2001, was instilled in him by his dad. 
 
"My dad had a big role in my development," Gutierrez said. "He was pretty strict regarding my physical development, such as running and stuff like that. He pushed me and I can't thank him enough for his encouragement and his discipline."
 
Gutierrez recalls one summer where he injured his elbow and couldn't throw the baseball much, but his dad stayed on him making sure he ran at least five miles a day. That's where Gutierrez's love of the game created his consistency and work ethic that carried him through high school and college. 
 
Gutierrez played at Nikki Rowe High School before going to UTPA in the fall of 1996. While he made some trips with the team, Gutierrez ended up redshirting that season since there were so many guys in front of him on the depth chart. 
 
To get playing time, Gutierrez stayed in the Rio Grande Valley and joined the baseball team at legacy institution UT-Brownsville where he spent the 1998 and 1999 seasons. After the 1999 season, Gutierrez found his way back to UTPA where it was always a dream of his to play.
 
"In high school, I had a dream of playing here, playing for the Broncs," Gutierrez said. "That would push me to work even harder and get better. It came true for me. Having that dream pushed me and I got the opportunity. I went to Brownsville and then came back and did well."
 
Gutierrez did more than just well. Besides the program record of 21 home runs in one season, Gutierrez still ranks top-10 in program history in single season RBI (58), batting average (.388), and total bases (141).  
 
Gutierrez loved to play baseball and being able to do that in front of his family was special for him. Gutierrez was grateful for the opportunity have those moments.
 
"I always bring my family up," Gutierrez said. "When my grandpa was still with us, he would come see my games. I can still imagine him and his face the way it was when he saw me play here and the good moments when we won games and seeing him smile. That was one. Two. I mean just going out there and doing what I loved doing. That's what I really miss about it. The experience of playing DI and having the opportunity to play DI was amazing. The friends that I made, my teammates Gabe De La Garza, Angel Perez, Leo Salinas I still keep in contact with them once in a while. Overall, the experience that I had, the years that I had, the outcomes, the numbers that I put up, it was all great."
 
Playing at UTPA opened another door for Gutierrez in the game of baseball as he was invited to IMG Academy in Sarasota, Florida. At IMG, Gutierrez had his eyes open to the facts about the importance of nutrition and the specialized training that they offered. 
 
Gutierrez carried that knowledge into his senior season at St. Mary's helping them to NCAA DII National championship. Gutierrez also took his game to another level. He still holds the single-season records at St. Mary's in home runs (28), RBI (97), and batting average (.424), slugging percentage (.893), runs scored (83) and total bases (204).
 
Gutierrez's baseball journey continued as he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 20^th round of the 2001 MLB Draft. After being drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1998, Gutierrez decided to stay in school. This time around, didn't pass up the opportunity to play professional baseball.
 
Gutierrez spent seven seasons with the Reds organization reaching all the way to triple-A and he found success along in pro ball too. Gutierrez helped his team in rookie ball to a championship while tying for the league lead in home runs. He was also named an all-star with the single-A Potomac Cannons and double-A Chattanooga Lookouts.
 
He wasn't sure if he was going to get another opportunity to be drafted after turning down the Padres in 1998, but Gutierrez is grateful the Reds took a chance on him. 
 
"It was a great experience," Gutierrez said. "I mean just to get the opportunity to get drafted again and have the opportunity to play, especially as a fifth-year senior, you know that you don't have much to bargain with. I took the opportunity and made the best of it."
 
Throughout his career with the Reds, Gutierrez was able to play winter baseball in Mexico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic. Gutierrez also went on to play in Mexico for another seven seasons before retiring in 2015. 
 
It was a difficult and long journey, but Gutierrez knew that through his hard work and love of the game that he would make the best of his opportunities.  If he could share anything with young baseball players, it would be to put in the work. 
 
"It's a challenge," Gutierrez said. "All they have do is just keep working hard at it and try to improve themselves where they need to improve. Keep being consistent at their forte and just keep improving on those weak spots. If it's agility or mental approach or if it's calling a great game or whatever it is, be consistent. More important is the routine. Be good at your routine because that's what you bring to the game every day."
 
With the end of his baseball career, Gutierrez's journey took him back to school. He knew he needed to finish school and got his bachelor's degree before going back to get his master's degree and now works for the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. 
 
Gutierrez still resides in the Rio Grande Valley and has noticed how much has changed with UTRGV. It certainly is a special time to be around UTRGV and Gutierrez says he never thought it would be as big as it is today. 
 
"I never thought it was going to grow to the point where it is now," Gutierrez says. "We are fortunate enough to have something like this in the Valley where we could keep this talent here, not that we don't want the talent to go to other opportunities but the situation where the university could sit here and offer great opportunities so that the talent that we have here in the Valley can stay here. That's where we are at and if it becomes bigger then even better. That's what we aim for right."
 
Gutierrez still loves the game of baseball. After all, it has taken him on quite the adventure and has given him so many friendships and memories.
 
He knows not everyone can get the experience that he got through the game and for that Gutierrez will forever be grateful for what the game has given him. 

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