Photos taken during game three of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks vs. Lincoln Saltdogs at Newman Outdoor Field on July 27th, 2025.
FARGO (KVRR/KNFL) – At Newman Outdoor Field in Fargo, North Dakota, day after day, night after night players his the diamond in the summer months. Jose Sermo, known as the Sermonator amongst the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks fanbase, is chasing history in 2026 and is close to taking down the career, home-run record for the American Association of Professional Baseball.
“I tell people, he reminds me of Ryan Howard. Even when he goes 0 for 4, he makes everybody around him better because he puts so much pressure on the pitchers.” said RedHawks Manager, Chris Coste.
Sermo is chasing Jabari Henry who owns the record of 166. But with the way the Sermonator has been hitting as of late that record could fall soon.
“I’m rooting for him. I want to see him break it,” said RedHawks’ Dillon Thomas. “So I’m rooting for him. I know everybody else is rooting for him, and he’s gonna get it done.”
For Sermo, he’s been doing a lot of this on his own since his family can’t be here with him. Sermo shares what it would mean to capture the home-run record.
“Tough at the moment to you know have my family here, but you know it’s just life,” said Sermo. “I’ll be thankful, thankful to God and whoever across my my career, that has helped me, especially [COSTE]. You know, last year I was going through some personal issues, and he never gave up on me. So it’s pretty special.”
Even though his ultimate dream is to make it to the major leagues, Sermo says advice from former big leaguer Dillon Thomas made him look at it from a different perspective. Especially looking back at the impact Sermo has had on those around him.
“Thomas told me very very often, like maybe you don’t make it to the big league, but you’re making so much impact to a lot of kids that want to be like you.” said Sermo. “I try to make make every day special for somebody. You know, make it smile, make somebody smile. This is one of those moments where I think about, I know I’m not gonna have this moment for much longer, might as well embrace it.”
Sermo is an all-star representing the RedHawks in the American Association all-star game on Wednesday in Lincoln, Nebraska, at the Haymarket Park.
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