Did They Ever Come Close to Walking Away?

Never. Others have given up on him, but he has never given up on himself.

And the ones who gave up on him always were proved wrong.

Unwavering until the day he was released, even through post-surgery rehabilitation.

During the very early years (8-10 years old) there was a time that son didn't want to continue playing ball. This was when he was about to enter a higher level. However once he became a teenager he never wavered from baseball. When he retired after 3 years of pro ball it was the proverbial "fork in the road" in his life and there is no doubt in my mind that he made the right decision by hanging up the cleats.
Fungo

My son has a conviction and like others have posted here, he has not come close to leaving the game at the college or pro level even though the odds seem stacked against him.

When he was in high school however, he made a couple of errors (on the same play) in a state championship game that led to 6 unearned runs. He was inconsolable after the game and blamed himself for his team's loss. He was wounded after the experience and it took several months for his love and passion to return. All the talking and counseling on our part had no effect. He simply needed time to get over it. Time is an ally but it can be painful waiting for it to occur.

My son has had a passion since the first day of T Ball.I have so much respect for his tenacity to continue day after day. When he had surgery this summer, he couldnt drive for a few weeks.So I had to take him to PT.The P we have known for years and he has watched my son since HS.Anyway one day while they were working out the PT asked my son "what is it like playing at a college level? Son said "its a grind everyday".PT said But do you still love it"?.Son said "I love it".I think one would have to in order to work as hard a s these boys do at thecollege and minor league level.

This is a great question---
My first born son played Divison III ball and is still into coaching his son in LL

My second born played Division I and was offered a
free agent contract at the end of his college career--the 50 grand was not enough to sway him from taking a waiting job with Trump

My third son stopped playing baseball in his junior year of HS.He is now Captain of a competitive Swordfishing Team in Florida

My stepson played Division III and Division I baseball and is now my Lead Coach for College Select
Baseball

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Corner Dad:
Part of why I ask is that I was struck reading Dirk Hayhurst's wonderful book, "The Bullpen Gospels," at how much doubt he had over staying in baseball. He was a player who eventually made it to the majors, but the road there seemed riddled with constant questions as to whether he should give it up and get on with his life. I'm wondering if his story is consistent with some of your son's experiences.

You got to understand that Dirk's journey has been an unusual one, so I completely understand why he would often contemplate walking away. None of our players have ever been through what he has. Drafted by SD, finally called up 5 years later, then claimed off waivers by BJ's, released off 40 man roster, then signed a milb deal with them, then a call up in 2009. BTW, he missed the entire 2010 season due to injury, then outrighted back to milb. He is 29 years old, so not surprised he has often thought about leaving the game because of the ups and downs he has faced.

Part of the grind is for some never knowing where they will lay their head down at night, which team, which level, etc.

For most, they stay in the game as long as they can, until someone makes that decision for them (release) or they sustain a career ending injury or they just come to that fork in the road when it is time to move on and pursue other interests.

A friend's son is thirty. He wasn't drafted after his junior year. The following year he was taken in the 30's. He has never had a starting position opening day yet has always always a starter by May 1st. He has been released from three MLB franchises despite always playing well (making several all-star teams). One year he was released after playing the last preseason weekend in a MLB park. He has been assigned #97 for spring training, shrugged it off and played well. After making the AAA All-star game this year he has not been approached about resigning for next season. He was a shortstop in college. He has played seven positions in the minors. He went to the AZL in an attempt to learn to catch until he realized skydiving without a parachute would be safer.

I recently asked his dad if his kid has considered it's over. The dad told me his kid said when baseball tells him he can't play anymore he'll coach. When he's too old to coach they can tear the uniform off him. I've watched the son play minor league games a few times. We get there early to watch pregame. I don't think I've ever seen anyone so happy to be around the game.