Major League Baseball agent, Matt Sosnik
Young baseball agent Matt Sosnikis best recognized as the agent of Florida Marlins, 22-game winner Dontrelle Willis. He is known for having close relationships with his players. He once even shared an apartment with Willis for several months. This coming season he will have five players on the Marlin opening day roster. Recently, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnik featured Sosnik in his book License to Deal: A Season on the Run with a Maverick Baseball Agent.
What made you want to be an agent?
I realized that I was never going to be able to play pro sports. I was Jewish and 5-10, and I figured that this was the closest I could come to actually being [part of that world].
How did you get your start?
I found one guy who would let me represent him. His name was Lou Luca. He was in AAA, and I told him that this was something I had always wanted to do. But it was total trial and error. I had no idea what I was doing. None. I didn’t have a mentor. I had no clue.
What do you think your job entails as an agent?
Number one is being emotionally supportive towards guys, and being able to really just be a stabilizer when they’re sort of emotionally all over the place.
Do you see yourself as a father figure to your clients?
For some. There are some where I feel like I’m an older brother, and there are some where I feel like I’m a contemporary. And I definitely have some guys who are as mature as I am, if not more mature.
