D-backs’ McFarland receives diploma ahead of matchup with Padres

It was a moment that Arizona Diamondbacks reliever T.J. McFarland waited years for. But finally, ahead of the D-backs' matchup with the San Diego Padres on Friday night, McFarland received his college diploma.

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Jul 6, 2018, 6:53 PM

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It was a moment that Arizona Diamondbacks reliever T.J. McFarland waited years for.

But finally, ahead of the D-backs’ matchup with the San Diego Padres on Friday night, McFarland received his college diploma.

11 years ago, T.J. McFarland promised his parents he’d graduate from college after being drafted. Tonight, he receives his degree from the University of Phoenix. Hard work pays off! pic.twitter.com/gUcGSwfoYP

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) July 7, 2018

McFarland graduated from the University of Phoenix as a finance major in June, a mere 11 years after he had promised his parents he would obtain his degree despite his time in the big leagues.

But, the 29-year-old can finally say he accomplished that goal.

“It’s taken me a while and I’m very, very proud of the accomplishment of getting a college degree,” McFarland said in a video posted onto the Diamondbacks’ Facebook account in June.

As a 17-year-old, he signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Missouri, but after getting drafted by by the Cleveland Indians in the fourth round, the appeal of Major League Baseball was an opportunity he couldn’t pass on.

He signed a contract with the Indians, but not before telling his parents he would enroll in college, too.

McFarland said in June he received an associates degree in two or three years, but he advanced to the majors, forcing him to take a break from school.

The break lasted about two years before he decided to re-enroll, leading up to his graduation and receiving his diploma Friday night.