Major League Reptiles

I thought I'd take a minute to introduce myself to the BP.net community. I've been posting here for a little while now, but I never formally introduced myself. My name is Brant Rustich from San Diego, CA. If you can't tell from the username, I play professional baseball for the New York Mets. I was drafted in '07 as a pitcher from UCLA. Baseball has given me the opportunity to begin to expand my collection of ball python morphs to begin a business that should be up and running this winter. I've began collecting since '07 but it really wasn't until this year I've decided to convert a hobby into an actual business. I've owned and raised reptiles my whole life and this is something I'm very excited about. I look forward to meeting new people in this industry, and learning along the way. While it's difficult to run a business with my occupation, I do have a wonderful fiancee to help me get the wheels rolling, and some great advisors. I've debated whether or not to disclose my personal occupation with this business, but I do know it is a part of me and personal reputation is vital in this industry. My reputation is something I'm very proud of and wish to establish within this community. I know Chad Brown has done a great job playing professional football and starting his own business himself, so I look to him as a sort of model for myself. If you have any questions or simply just want to chat about reptiles, feel free to write me a PM or email. Looking forward to hearing from you.

Wishing you much success in baseball and your business.

Same here good luck with both.

Welcome aboard! :handshake

I think it's awesome to see professional athletes and other celebrities showing a serious public interest in herps. There's not nearly enough of you guys, so if you know any others, encourage them to get the word out about their passions! :D

Good luck on both fronts Brant! I love supporting local breeders and look forward to doing business with you someday. :gj:

Welcome to the herp world.

I too was in baseball, made it down to lake land with the Tigers for spring training but shoulder gave out 3 weeks in and never recovered. Ended up finishing up college as a closer.

Keep that arm healthy and RUN, RUN, RUN

Welcome to Bp.net... It is great that you have a great love for reptiles and want to further your knowledge by becoming a larger part of the reptile community. There are many great people that you will meet in your dealing with bp's. I really wish you the best in your new venture with bp's.

Morgan

Pleasure to meet you! It's nice to see someone "in the spotlight" so to speak who loves reptiles. Good luck in both aspects of your life :)

welcome, hope you have enjoyed being a member here for the last few months and plan to stick around. good luck with the business and your career, hope to watch you play one day. although im a Boston fan, i only hate the yankees, and my brother-in-law love the Mets. you cant say that your collection has expanded without posting pics. PICS!! :rage:

You gonna make it to the show this year? The mets need all the help they can get.