Asaad Ali
The last name is instantly recognizable, but you won’t hear Asaad Ali bring up the topic, so let’s first and foremost stomp out the most common two questions asked by strangers.
Yes, his father is Muhammad Ali. No, he does not box.
Only after getting past those initial questions can one truly get to know Asaad Ali — the catcher playing at the University of Louisville next year, not just the son of one of the most groundbreaking athletes of all time.
Asaad has spent this week working on his catching with the IMG Baseball Academy and training to slim his 5-foot-11, 230-pound frame with the IMG Performance Institute.
“This is the real deal here,” Asaad said of IMG Academies after a recent workout and before a dip into the ice bath. “You feel like a professional with the way everyone treats you.”
Coaches and trainers have echoed that praise to Asaad.
Growing up, Asaad fell in love with baseball. A hulking backstop, Asaad has progressed enough to get drafted in the late rounds of the 2009 MLB Draft by the L.A. Angels. Asaad, though, has decided to go the college route at Louisville.
“At one college, I show up for a visit and the coach is wearing a shirt with my dad on it, and that’s all they talked about the whole time,” Asaad said. “At Louisville, they said if I’m good enough, I’ll play. If not, I’ll sit the bench. I appreciated the honesty.”
Though he doesn’t hide his name, he doesn’t shout it to the world, either. For him, baseball’s a chance to forge his own path and make his own name, of sorts.
“I respect everything my dad did, but I’ve got to make my own way,” he said. “I’m trying to get out of his shadow. I try to be as regular as I can. Here, most of the (other baseball) guys are just finding out now (five days into his stay).”
Asaad Ali
As far as his professional destiny, Asaad would love a shot at playing professionally, but it wouldn’t doom him if it doesn’t happen. He’s already got some experience in a field that really fuels him — coaching.
“I’ve helped coach a couple Little League teams,” he said. “Everything I’ve learned by now, I wished I knew when I was younger. I want to pass some of that knowledge to kids who were like me when I was growing up.”
The blazing of his own trail has already begun.
Im from Norway Michigan and played against Asaad in Mount Pleasant Michigan my twelve year old year of basball for all stars. I remember he won the homerun durby that was heald at the field.