I knew this day would come. The day when I hang up my cleats and stop playing the game I have loved since I was five year old. I still remember the first team I ever played on, the Pirates. My Dad always told me I would know when I was ready to retire and that time is now. I have experienced so many things because of baseball. I would have never got to do these things without certain people in my life. First, I would like to thank God for blessing me with the abilities that he gave me. There were times when I questioned what he was doing but I always made it through. He made me into the man I am today through baseball. My family has always been there for me. I can not thank them enough for everything they have done for me. My Dad about wore out the pavement between our house and my colleges. He was always there to see me pitch, even though he is no pitching guru, He has seen me pitch enough to know when something is different. He has been there for my best and worst pitching performances. Afterwards, he always acted the same, he would always tell me how proud of me he was. One thing my Dad made sure of was reminding me baseball was something I did, it wasn't who I was. My Mom has always been there for me and encouraged me to follow my dream. She made me set goals and ask what I would have to do to make them come true. You could always tell when my mom was at the game because if there was a error made in the field while I was pitching she would scream from the stands "Come on, catch the ball". I think that's one reason my Dad would always stand along the foul lines. Nicki, my sister has always helped in anyway she can. She would lend me a little money for gas to make a tryout, she will never fully understand how grateful I am for everything she has done for me. Without my family I would have never made my childhood dream come true. My girlfriend Stephanie has always been a great supporter. She has encouraged me to follow my dream even when it meant we wouldn't see each other for 10 weeks. It has been a blessing having her over here this year and to be able to travel with her. Next person I need to thank is Dr. Kevin Flythe, my chiropractor. He always helped keep me healthy and never let any of my arm issues grow into bigger ones. I have known him for 12 years now and over these past 12 years he is the closer to a big brother to me then just my chiropractor. Not many patients get a hug when they leave and hear how proud they are of them. I would also like to thank the guys up at Elite Baseball and Softball in Grand Rapids, Michigan. There is where I started my pitching career when I was 9. Even when I moved back to Georgia. I would play for them if they played a tournament down south somewhere. I spend a month one winter up there just training and working. They played a major roll in helping me further my baseball career. That winter I was in the best shape of my life and I know it helped me pitch as well as I did last year. Thanks for everything Brian and Mike. That same winter the Goebel family opened up their house to me. I really felt like I was part of their family while I was there. Even though they probably didn't realize it they also allowed me to make my dream come true. There is also Chris Holt, whose down in Tampa, Fl. He is the best pitching instructor I have ever met in my life. He was the one that suggested me to the Ducks last year. From the first time I talked to Chris on the phone I felt like I had known him for years. I learned a lot about pitching from him in just the month I trained with him. I need to thank the Wiener Neustadt Diving Ducks for giving me the chance to come over here and play. I would have never thought I would play baseball in Europe. It has truly been one amazing experience over here. I want to thank the whole Duck community for making me feel welcome from day one. There is also Clemens Cichocki, he was the one that contacted me from the Ducks. He has grown into a great friend. Make sure you check out his baseball store www.c2bb.at.
Baseball has allowed me to do some amazing things and meet some great people. Most of my best friends are guys I met through baseball. Probably about 90% of the groomsmen in my wedding will be baseball players. When you spend everyday with your teammates they almost become more than just a friend. One of my best friends, Luke, is more of a brother to me. There was a time when he was pretty much living at my parents house. I know without a doubt he would do anything for me.
I am excited for the next stage of my life. I don't know where God will lead me but I know I will trust in him. I did that with my baseball careers and he blessed me more then I could ever imagine. I know that I want to get into coaching. I love seeing a kids face after he makes an adjustment and throws a strike or you change one thing and a kid throws the best curve ball he ever has. I have acquired knowledge of baseball over these past 21 years now it's time for me to start pass it on. I have seen all kinds of coaches over my career, they have taught me things to do and probably more things not to do. Some of those things that I have learned will carry over into my job for sure. My college coach always said people like hiring athletes, especially ones that were studs. The kind of guy that wants the ball with his team is only up by one run, no outs and runners on. Those guys know how to handle pressure and work with a team. They can learn any kind of business but you can't teach the internal make up that made that person a successful athlete.
These past two years have been amazing. There aren't many people that are my age and say they lived out their childhood dream. Since I was five my dream has been to be a professional baseball player. It wasn't an easy road, there were plenty of times when I thought about just giving up. I would pray about it and God would tell me it wasn't time for me to give up yet. So he would open another door for me. Always follow your dream, there were plenty of people who doubted me. I would love to sign a baseball card and mail to all of them and say thanks for the motivation. Thanks to everyone that has followed me on this journey, I hope you enjoyed it. This will be my last blog, remember always to trust in him.
