From Big Four Accounting to Major League Baseball

Nick Raquet’s career path reads like an unlikely sports movie script. The 29-year-old relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals was analyzing enterprise risks at Ernst & Young just three years ago, a world away from the pitcher’s mound at Busch Stadium.

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Raquet faced a crossroads that many minor league players encountered. Stuck in single-A ball—baseball’s lowest professional tier—he made the practical decision to leverage his finance degree from the College of William & Mary and enter corporate America.

The Corporate Detour That Changed Everything

For over a year between 2021-2022, Raquet worked as an entry-level consultant on EY’s Enterprise Risk team. His LinkedIn profile detailed his responsibilities: “supported clients in identifying and managing risks to their business operations and objectives.” The structured 9-to-5 environment was a stark contrast to the uncertainty of minor league baseball, where players chase dreams on modest salaries.

However, the corporate experience didn’t extinguish his baseball ambitions. Instead, it provided valuable perspective and maturity that would prove crucial for his athletic comeback.

The Return to Diamond Dreams

Raquet’s decision to return to baseball after his corporate stint demonstrates the power of timing and renewed perspective. The year away from the game allowed him to approach his athletic career with fresh eyes and enhanced mental fortitude gained from the business world.

His journey from analyzing spreadsheets to throwing fastballs showcases that unconventional career paths can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Today, Raquet’s LinkedIn proudly displays his current title: “Professional Baseball Player with the St. Louis Cardinals”—proof that sometimes the longest route leads to the most rewarding destination.