FAIRFIELD, Conn. –  It was just a normal Thursday afternoon for Jack Gethings, as he pulled into a gas station to fill up his car.  As he was sitting in the front seat and the gas poured into the tank, he felt his phone ring. After stumbling for his phone and answering the call, the first words he heard on the other line would change his life forever:
 
Congratulations, you're a Kansas City Royal
 
With those six words, an ordinary Thursday afternoon turned into one of the best days of Jack Gethings' life. The person on the other line was a scout for the Kansas City Royals and he had just offered Gethings a professional contract, which he accepted becoming the 29th Stag to sign a professional contract and the second in the last week, joining teammate Austin Pope.
 
"It was a shock," Gethings said. "I just thought of all the people that have helped me get to this position: my parents, my coaches at Fairfield, and my teammates. Honestly without them I wouldn't be in this position. You really think about the journey and all the time that you put in to the sport of baseball. It's really paying off now."
 
Gethings had one of the best seasons in program history and that success was recognized by the conference and the region. Gethings became the first Stag in program history to be named the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Player of the Year and was unanimous selected to the conference's First Team. He set a new program single season record in hits, finishing with 88 and led the MAAC in average (.364) and triples with seven, which also set a new program standard.
 
He was also recognized among the best in the region with a ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Second Team selection and also among the tops in New England with a NEIBA Second Team honor.
 
Still with all those honors and accolades, Gethings did not see his name called during the MLB Draft, which felt like a setback for Gethings.
 
"My parents were extremely supportive," Gethings said. "They just wanted me to keep a positive mindset no matter what happened. Obviously, I didn't get drafted but they were there for me. They just wanted me to be positive and keep an upbeat mindset and hope for the best. The best came today, probably the best day of my life."
 
Gethings will now head to Arizona, reporting to the Royals' Rookie League affiliate, the Arizona League Royals who play their games in Surprise, Ariz. For Gethings, the biggest 'surprise' is not just the chance to play professional baseball but also the turnaround. Gethings will be flying to Arizona at 7am on Friday morning, but when you see your dream in sight, you have to take it.
 
"When it's your dream you really don't care how much of a turnaround it is," Gethings said. "Especially since it's the sport I love so I want to get on the field as quick as possible. If I could leave today I would."
 
Gethings will graduate Fairfield as one of the Stags' top offensive hitters of all-time. He is the program leader in: hits (271), runs scored (170), games played and games started (203), and triples (11).
 
He is also the 29th Stag to sign a professional contract and the seventh in the eight years under Head Coach Bill Currier. He is the first to be signed by the Royals. Gethings will begin his minor league journey in Arizona with the goal to make it to Kansas City.
 
But now, he has that chance.
 
"I was just really hoping someone would give me a chance," Gethings said. "Now I can get my foot in the door. Once my foot is in the door it's just playing baseball. From here on out, I'm just trying to get better each and every day and I think if I put in the work, who knows where I can end up?"