Journey Complete

Hi everyone,

I think I'm calling this.

Sunday was a great night. We had a late game against the 2012 champions whom we had never beaten.  I got the start.

My line was simple:  4IP, 3H, 3R, 1ER, ?Ks ( I don't remember), Too many walks.

Our offense gave the defense a lead and we never lost it.  We never lost our confidence either. We had that game from the top of the 1st onward.  We weren't going to lose.  I don't think anyone in the dugout thought we were going to lose.  In fact, everyone KNEW we were going to win.

I certainly did.

I took the mound in the  bottom of the first and remembered what it was like when I faced these guys a few weeks ago (with my in-laws in attendance nonetheless).  I held them scoreless. Tonight I was determined to do the same.

I nearly did.

Despite walking too many, we pulled it out.  My catcher was with me all night.  My defense behind me was the best it has been all year.

I think it's hard for people to understand why this is such a big deal. I'm not sure I understand it. I guess that, when you have a passion for something and it's taken away from you..that's awfully destructive.  When you spend every day working toward a goal and achieving it, that's a pretty powerful thing.  When you finally get your second chance and you make it count...well, that's a special thing.

Lots of folks will scoff at something like this and write it off saying because it's not the major leagues then it doesn't matter.  Well, it does.  My gut tells me it does.  My wife tells me it does. My teammates tell me it does.  Color me convinced. 

Hell, maybe there are some big leaguers reading this and understanding it.  Well, probably not, but you never know. I know they could relate.  Ask Jake Peavy what it felt like to get on the mound again after tearing your lat muscle off of the bone. Ask Joe Nathan what it's like to be an elite closer again after TJ surgery. Ask Corey Luebke what it's like to spend every day waiting to get back on the mound again.  I'll bet they echo what I'm saying to some degree.

As I type, I'm about a day removed from a 70 pitch outing and my arm feels great.  I haven't pitched without pain in as long as I can remember.  It's almost odd.  You just get used to it after a while.  When it's not there, what nobody will tell you, is that you always expect it.  You wait for it.  You know it's coming so you change everything until you realize that this is the new normal.

So, this is it. I think I'm done with telling everyone about this crazy story of rehabs and Iron Man braces, and pain, skin flaking, and all of the stuff that people don't talk about. Well, here it is.  All of the crap in one place. I'll do a follow up that highlights the main points but for now, I have a lot of people to thank.  If you think you do this alone...ha! Never.  There is a gigantic supporting cast.

Dr. Thomas Trumble:  He shot me straight and told me rehab wouldn't fix it.  He then did a tremendous surgery which yielded a very small scar. I was going to go the Kyle Blanks route if it was big, but art is art.

Tim and the crew at IronWorks Gym:  I would go there every morning, arm in a sling, and do my rehab. Everyone in there was so encouraging and thoughtful that it meant starting the day off in a positive way every day of the week.  I'm still there 6 days a week getting weird looks as I throw into the sock.

Jamie Moyer: Jamie was 47 when he had this done. Spending 10 minutes with him learning what it takes to come back was priceless.  He'll never know how much he helped, but he did.  Just relating was a lot.

Teri and Jenn:  Just thanks.  You know.

Jake Peavy:  Not a small amount of inspiration.  I looked at that baseball every day.  It reminded me to keep going.  See also Teri and Jenn.

Nate Burgher:  See Moyer, Jamie but younger and more like me. Less cyborg

Ryan Alvis:  Thank you for going through this with me.  We need to be on the same team again really soon.

Joe Nathan: He was able to really talk straight to me as I was getting ready to pitch.  He told me the reality and encouraged me to learn how to pitch now instead of relying on what I did before. He reminded me that I may never be back to what I was and basically told me to figure it out.  Good advice. 

Jorge Reyes: The sock trick.  Saved my rehab. I owe you a beer in Peoria next spring.  I really do.

My Teammates:  Ivar, Chuck, Jim, Fred, George, Rich, Tim, and everyone on the Sierra Mariners and a lot of people in the Sierra division. My team believed in me coming back.  That is incredible faith.  I worked all winter with a lot of these guys and they had more faith in me than I had in myself.  That's a very empowering thing.  They helped me believe.  They encouraged me every step of the way.  My first outing, when I literally hit 3 batters, they should have given up. They didn't.  In fact, I got a lot of texts and emails just saying how happy they were that I could play again.  If you ever find teammates like this, don't let them go.  I'm thrilled to be a part of this team.

Michael Bailey:  You stuck with me through everything else, so why not surgery?  Despite my crappy effort thank you for being there.  It was huge.

Terry and Nadine Roberts:  Dad, you had enough faith in me coming back to buy me a new glove.  Mom, you knew  I would pitch in Safeco again. You never lost faith in me all of my life.  This is simply one example.

And Finally....
Ken Roll:  Trainer to the Mariners.  My therapist.  My Sherpa through this journey.  "The Claw". Had I not found you I don't know what I would have done. I wish you the best in your retirement my friend.  Please go fishing with Buhner in Montana until your freezer is full.  Then just go one more time because you can.  I hope to see you again. I'll look for you. One more good claw handshake would be just fine.

Katy: You helped me shower every day which was a gift to us both.  You dealt with my pain.  You took me to rehab.  You rubbed my back.  You watched out for me every hour.  You dealt with the ice packs, the Aleve, the early Saturday mornings, and every nerve before my pitching outings. You make it worth it.  You made it so much easier.  It's a wonderful gift to have you in my life every single day.


I always said that if I resurrect this blog, then something went really sideways. If you are that interested, go ahead and follow us here: 
http://pssbl.com/TeamSchedule.aspx?t=44&s=8

If you look up my stats, I only back up the long standing stereotype that pitchers cannot hit.

Please be well.