A PROUD PRO

25 Years Ago this week, my childhood dream come true!

I had just completed my 4 year collegiate career playing at Seton Hall University and went into the MLB Draft, optimistic and excited at the potential of being selected and starting a pro baseball career!

Unfortunately, the MLB Draft came and went for me. No phone call. No contact!

I was convinced it was over. I mean, looking back, technically it was. For the first time in my life, I didn’t have a team to call my own. That was until I did!

Just when I thought I had played my last game, I got a call that changed my life. A call that gave me a shot to live my dream, play the game I love and prove to myself that I was good enough and that I belonged!

25 years ago this week, the @pittsburghpirates called and offered me a Free Agent contract. Nothing fancy about it. No big bonus - in fact, I signed for just $1,000 and a new glove and a new pair of cleats. That’s it! But that’s all I needed!

It was a chance I worked my whole life for. A chance that no one would’ve believed a skinny kid who batted .157 as a freshman in high school would ever get!

Most people thought I’d be home before the season ended, let alone hang around as long as I did.

I lasted a lot longer than most thought I would. Over the next 14 years, I got to call myself a professional baseball player and held my own against some of the best in the game. I to play and travel the country and the world - and compete against superstars, All-Stars and future Hall of Famers!

I pushed my talents as far as they could take me, and I emptied the tank and left it all on the field!

And although I may have come up short of pulling it off, I am proud that I forced the game to notice me, consider me and ask if maybe I was good enough to play at the highest level!

I couldn’t be any prouder of my attempt to pull it off, and beyond grateful for the greatest ride of my life! Man, it sure did fly by! You know what they say…”Time flies when you’re having fun!”

25 years ago this week, I became a professional baseball player. 25 years ago this week, I played my first home game and signed my first autograph!

25 years ago this week…my childhood dream came true!