In February I wrote a post titled, “A Love For Baseball Never Dies” about former career-Minor League player and a man who has lived in his brother’s shadow his entire life, Ozzie Canseco. I had read on Wikipedia that Ozzie was playing in a softball league somewhere near my home and had to see it to believe it. Sure enough, there he was, almost as if it were still 1990, suiting up and playing every Wednesday night. In some, a love for this sport never dies.
My love began late in my life, at the age of 16. I was not allowed to leave my home after being arrested and needed an excuse to leave my room on the weekends. I feigned an interest in baseball and in no time found myself playing in a league. Of course, something happened that summer and before I knew it, baseball cards were “out” and playing baseball was “in”.
By the age of 25 I was playing in a semi-pro league and was at the top of my game when in between innings while throwing to the center fielder, I felt a snap in my right shoulder. For the next two weeks I hoped and prayed for it to heal but as it turned out, it was a rotator cuff tear and so came to an end my love affair with baseball.
Since that day, I have married, had a child, and started a career (not to mention this blog). The suburban lifestyle has taken over my 28-year old frame. The muscles I once bragged about have long vanished, the speed that helped me steal 7 bases in three games during my ‘97 season is gone, and finally, my once powerful and dangerous bat speed is no more.
I may be making the biggest mistake of my life but this Sunday, August 24th I will walk onto the baseball field once again, this time in Miami and will tryout for a spot on their team. The season starts in two weeks, which would give me plenty of time to dedicate myself to running and walking around my neighborhood but no time to make an impression during this weekend’s tryouts.
There will be photos and even a video of the tryouts shot by the Infamous Tatiana. Stay tuned and wish me good luck! Trust me, I will need it….
Careful on that shoulder, I had the “snap” as well in my junior year of college. It never, ever gets better. The only advice I can offer is listen to your body if the arm gets real tight in the first few minutes of throwing, back off a bit.
hell yeah man. good luck!
Good Luck Mario!
Hey good luck and thanks for agreeing on the andrew miller trade!
Mario I played semi-pro football in 1988 and we went (Bellmawr Broncos) 11-1.
I made the team by the skin of my teeth. Last time I put on the pads on was in 1982 when I graduated high school.Yea who wants a 25 year old guy
5′-8” 225lbs slow ass linebacker that could not cover the flats? I could bring the wood,but could never have any luck with pass coverage on the out patterns.Even my 40 was slow 5.0 flat. But was a beast when it came to the weight room. Bench 405lbs deadlift 550 lbs and my squat was close to 600lbs. But my playing time was kept mostly on special teams. Which was fine by me! I did however train for almost a year to play in this semi-pro league.We did win the championship and I still have my jacket and trophy!
All I could say is Good Luck Mario Give-em Hell!!!