Update.
Some may remember a post I put up six months or so ago. Quick history summary: Sean had some good appearances in the '08 post season CWS run, particularly his relief outing vs ASU, but was pitching through severe bicep tendonitis that entire season. He returned in the fall of the '09 season, his junior year, after taking the summer off to let the tendonitis abate and made significant changes to his mechanics. He was healthy with no more pain. He entered the '09 season as the #2 starter, full of hope for a great Junior season, and thinking of a bright future. But the new mechanics made off-speed control problematic and took a lot of movement off his pitches. That also made him rely on his fastball too much and put him behind in the count too often. Bad combination at the D1 level where he can't overpower hitters just with 90-93 stuff and you need more than a good fastball. After four starts he was moved to the bullpen with only spot appearances later in the season. In the 2nd half of the season he worked hard on significant changes again to his mechanics to get back to a more natural arm action, one that used a lot more core torso and hip torque. That helped his arm find a repeatable, natural slot, plus returned the movement to his pitches. He didn't have a chance to use these changes in '09 as he didn't pitch in the late or post-season.
The mental challenges he had to surmount, releasing of evaporated dreams, trying to figure this out while struggling to perform, focusing on new goals, were just as large as the physical ones. He then went off to summer ball in Chicago for the Crystal Lake Cardinals on a personal mission to hone those changes and prove he could command all his pitches.
So, by the numbers ...
His results in the '09 season when his mechanics were a mess:
24.1 IP, 47 H, 34 R, 30 ER, 22 BB, 20 Ks, .402 OppAvg, 11.10 ERA, ... total Opponent OBP was .548
His results in Chicago
42 IP, 32 H, 10 R, 8 ER, 8 BB, 42 Ks, .213 OppAvg, 1.33 ERA ... Total Opponent OBP was .254 and more importantly a 2.2 strike/ball ratio
Results to date in the '10 Season at Fresno (all in relief)
28.2 IP, 22 H, 11 R, 10 ER, 8 BB, 21 K, .216 OppAvg, 3.14 ERA ... Total Opponent OBP is .283 (best of the staff)
He returned this year with no expectations other than to work hard, support the team any way Coach Batesole determined, and to prove he was worthy of wearing the FS uniform. In his own words, anything beyond that “was in God’s hands”. He returned to Fresno for his Senior year with a personal goal: simply prove to himself that he was capable of pitching to the best hitters at the D1 level regardless of whether that was one inning, twenty, or fifty, and contribute to the team regardless of what role he might be assigned. He accepted that last year’s failure meant there were a lot of guys in front of him that would get the ball first. He knew his status as a Senior meant he had to deliver results today, consistently very good results, as it was no longer about developing potential for the future.
The only thing he placed his trust in was that if he worked hard, put the team first, and performed consistently well, that he could get a fair chance to put those 24 innings from ‘09 firmly in the past and contribute in some material way to the team’s success today. He believed in himself when no one else did. He anchored himself on his faith and spirituality. He released all his fears, freed himself from any thoughts about the past or future, and embraced adversity as an opportunity for personal growth.
I will state publicly and unabashedly that I'm immensely proud of his strength of character, courage, spirituality, and the deep personal commitment he exhibited in embracing and surmounting that challenge. It had to come from within him, no where else. There's lots of other things he could have done besides face this head on and take full ownership of it. To me at least, it’s a demonstration of character that will transcend the role of baseball in his life. I’m constantly amazed at the inner peace he’s achieved in such a high pressure situation, where inner serenity is often the hardest thing to attain yet frequently the key precursor of success. That maturity is really helping him now on the mound as he just walks out there and focuses on his approach to each batter, each pitch, completely unburdened of mental distractions. One more inning on the mound can’t affect that accomplishment or how he’ll carry that lesson on through his life. He doesn't think about what's next, or if he'll have an opportunity to keep playing baseball after this season is concluded. Sure, that's his dream and something he's worked hard towards for many years, but also "in God's hands" in his view. He remains focused on the team first and on deliverying results today, not on tomorrow. Maybe someone will see something they like in the BigFella and take a chance with him. Maybe not. But at a minimum surmounting this challenge is an life accomplishment and a pride he can carry forward even if he never plays another inning. He'll be reminded of this accomplishment every time he looks down at that CWS ring.
I believe regardless of what the final stats say in the books, he'll know he represented the core values of wearing that FS jersey well.
Go Tigers!!!!
