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Diamond Diary by Kevin Cooney
4/8/2002 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
April 8, 2002
Twenty eight years ago today was the day I thought would be the worst day of my life.
After two years and a sore arm, the Minnesota Twins informed me they would no longer be requiring my services as a pitcher in their minor league system. I bought a six pack and climbed up on the roof of the hotel at our spring training site in Melbourne, FL. I felt like my world had collapsed. I had just had a great year despite a mid season arm injury, and really felt as though my future looked bright. But the entire spring my shoulder ached so much I couldn't throw. They gave me three cortisone injections to no avail. The team doctor recommended an arthogram to get an accurate diagnosis, but in a cost cutting move, I was released along with another sore armed pitcher. The Twins chose to keep a young left-handed pitcher named Terry Ryan who is now the GM in Minnesota. A good decision for them, but a bitter one for me. That night, with a bad headache and a terrible sunburn, I watched Hank Aaron hit his 715th home run. Good day for Hank, bad for me.
For an entire year, I did not see any type of baseball game. I didn't pray or go to church.
I honestly felt that God screwed me. I had planned to do whatever I could to help kids if He just let me get to the Big Leagues. Instead, I was back in NJ looking for some sort of job.
There is an old Garth Brooks song about a guy who meets his high school sweetheart (Barbara Poland... are you out there?) and realizes that he should thank God for unanswered prayers. He was content with his wife and his life as it turned out, rather than what he had prayed for as a kid.
I understand that song.
My son Jeff might not have believed me when I told him that, given a choice, I would prefer that my career turn out exactly the same.
I wouldn't trade a year or decade in the Big Leagues for the oppurtunity to have been involved in the lives of all the young men I have coached since 1975. I wish I had a list of all their names to see how many there were. Heck I need a roster just to remember the names of this team!
The Lord works in strange ways as He opens those doors after closing others. (a cliche filled sentence if I ever saw one) I feel privileged to be in a position that involves being part of such a special time in the lives of so many people.
FAU SWEEPS BELMONT!
It was great to get through another weekend with a sweep. Sure, we all know about the streak, but we all feel the conference race is more important. UCF and Steson don't seem to be ready to stumble, so I think it will all come down to the point at which the Florida schools begin playing each other. This will be exciting.
Some good things on the weekend:
A complete game from Pillsbury on a day that he struggled a little with his command. The cold weather was somewhat of a factor, but Chris won't use any excuses.
Nesmith threw a good game. He got us to Della Rocco and McNab without much damage and they did their usual good job.
Core struggled with his control, but kept us in it.
Jim Cooney pitched two scoreless innings on his birthday, but his Mom yelled down to the dugout that I shouldn't have taken him out. PARENTS!
Mike Cox had some key hits, Somarriba played in a lot of pain, but did well, Pali DID NOT kill the firstbaseman as the kid charged within 20 ft of Matt, thinking he was bunting. Fortunately Matt hit a ball that bounced high over the kid's head as he picked his heart up off the infield.
Greg Eubanks returned to the mound after a long absence, and threw well and with no pain in his wrist. A good bullpen gets even better.
Lastly, our kids got a nice compliment from Coach Jarvis of Belmont. He congratulated us on the good year we are having and said he was impressed by how classy our kids handled themselves. Comments like that are nice to hear.
Tomorrow we play an exhibition against the Italian pre Olympic Team. Could be a good day for Spano, Fiorentino, and Della Rocco! KC
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