Still in the Game: Rob Dibble Swaps Baseballs for Birdies

Rob Dibble isn’t your typical golf tournament guest. Known for his blazing fastball and fiery presence as a Major League Baseball All-Star closer, Dibble will be joining the Am-Am at the Metropolis Intercollegiate Golf Tournament this September. But for Dibble, golf isn’t about serious competition, it’s about fun, friendship, and enjoying the game on his own terms.

Bringing the same passion and intensity that defined his baseball career, Dibble now finds joy in the camaraderie of the course, a love for the game’s challenges, and a deep appreciation for the next generation of athletes.

His introduction to golf was anything but planned. Growing up in Connecticut, he and his two older brothers would hit a local driving range just for fun, launching the longest drives they could. Once his baseball career took off, Dibble began playing more seriously during downtime in the minor leagues and between spring training sessions with the Reds. What started as a side activity quickly became a true passion, a way to stay sharp outside the ballpark.

These days, Dibble has a deep appreciation for the new wave of young golfers. “When I watch these young amateurs at tournaments like the Travelers, it’s incredible to see 16-, 17-, and 18-year-olds competing at such a high level,” he says. “One kid even finished in the top 50 this year at 18. That’s impressive.”

Growing up in an era with limited training resources, Dibble is struck by the athleticism and access available to today’s youth. “Our minor league fields were built in the early 1900s. Now, kids have state-of-the-art gyms, training programs, and they know how to take care of themselves. You’re getting better athletes choosing golf over other sports.”

To Dibble, golf offers a different kind of challenge than baseball, one that’s equal parts physical and mental. “Golf is one of the most difficult sports on the planet because it’s just you out there. Every shot counts,” he explains. “In baseball, you can fail and still help your team. In golf, it’s all on you.”

He admires the dedication it takes to be great at golf. “I could watch a guy like Vijay Singh practice for hours. That love and discipline is incredible.” He also appreciates how golf lets him channel his competitive edge in a more relaxed way. “When I was pitching, I had intense focus. Golf lets me challenge myself differently. It’s fun, but it keeps you sharp.”

Even years after his playing career ended, Rob Dibble remains a familiar face, especially to younger fans, thanks to his inclusion in the video game MLB The Show and his daughter’s viral TikToks. Some of her videos, including playful jabs like asking if he ever wishes he were athletic, have even been featured by Barstool Sports. One clip resurfaced an infamous moment when Dibble threw a ball at Cubs runner Doug Dascenzo as he was running down the first base line after a bunt, an action that led to Dibble’s immediate ejection from the game. “Honestly, I get recognized more for MLB The Show than for anything I did in my actual career,” Dibble jokes. “Kids come up to me and say, ‘You’re my closer!’”

When asked about his dream golf foursome, Dibble doesn’t hesitate: Jackie Robinson, Babe Ruth, and Hank Aaron. His favorite part of the game? Putting. “There’s something about the focus and control it requires. Even if you’re struggling, making a few solid putts can turn your whole round around.”

He’s also a gadget guy who embraces golf’s latest technology. “I still have some of those old wood drivers, but everything now is graphite and high-tech. It’s crazy how much the game has changed.” And of course, he can’t resist a good hot dog on the course.

Golf was once seen as a bit stuffy, despite the humble beginnings of many of its stars. Today, the game feels more welcoming, a shift Dibble celebrates. “It’s not just for the white collar anymore. Golf’s become more inclusive and fun, which is great to see.”

For Dibble, golf is more than a game, it’s a way to stay active, connect with people, and enjoy the moment. “Golf isn’t about winning for me. If I can break 100, that’s a huge victory,” he laughs.

He enjoys the solitude of the game as much as the company. “Some days it’s just me, the course, and a few deer walking by. That’s the charm.”

As he tees it up at the Metropolis Am-Am, one thing is clear: for Rob Dibble, the love of the game hasn’t faded, it’s just taken a different form.

Story by Brianna Ocasio