The Associated Press recently reported that Ross Ohlendorf is working an internship for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. What makes Ohlendorf different than your average intern is the fact that he won 11 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season, and will now spend some of his off-season working for the USDA.
"I've really enjoyed it," Ohlendorf, 27, told the AP. "In addition to learning a lot of things and meeting a lot of neat people, I've gotten to do some cool events too."
Ohlendorf and his father are active in the longhorn cattle business through their ranch, which is located near Austin, Texas. Through his internship with the USDA, he works mostly on a national tracking system for animals, which is use to help track diseases.
One of his motivations in applying for the internship was an interest in government, something that he may carry into the future through a career in public service after baseball.
However, the season looms, with the date for pitchers and catchers reporting coming in February. Despite the fact the Pirates were a last-place team, Ohlendorf posted an earned run average of 3.92 in 29 games for the Bucs.
