*This is a long read*
Hello All,
With the college seasons opening up, I wanted to follow up on a post I made roughly a year ago. Last season, my freshman season in college, on opening day I tore my UCL as well as minor bone fractures of the elbow. I underwent TJ surgery from a top MLB doctor, was told all the numbers of how successful the surgery was, etc. I am writing to you now, a year since my injury, to tell you a different perspective of the surgery; the non-successful perspective. To start off I took the surgery as serious as one could, I left the NCAA school I was at and moved back home so I could be close to a top-notch sports rehab facility while committing to a nationally ranked JUCO in the area. My rehab sessions were very intense (my doctors commands) everything was followed strictly to the protocol with the help of a staff of 2 therapists and 3 athletic trainers. We saw progress yet 3 months in there was still very limited range of motion, yet we continued and pushed our way to the throwing phase. It was very obvious early on in the throwing phase that something wasn't right, most throws ended in severe nerve pain, numbness, and overall pain. Throwing was halted as was any strenuous physical activity, we redid tests (MRI's, X-Rays, etc.) only to determine that the ligament was fraying but intact and the bone chips in my elbow were back. The pain continued to increase every week and eventually the doctor made the decision that my overall health was more important then my baseball career.
Roughly 6 months after my surgery it was obvious that I was never going to play again. I write this now, a year later, with severe nerve damage, bone chips, and pain that will probably be with me the rest of my life. Baseball is far in my rear view mirror, I attempted to keep it going when early JUCO practices started but my pain not only halted my throwing but my physical fitness levels as well. Being a college athlete I was relatively strong, it is safe to say now I put up about half the numbers in the gym that I used to, but with that being said I do still continue to work out; though there is pain, I workout nonetheless.
I guess I may be writing this because I want to get it out of me, write it down, tell people that not every TJ story is a success story. I remember doing research before the surgery and I could never find a negative article. I want players to be realistic, it is drilled into our heads again and again during the recruiting process but it is vital...pick a school you would stay at if athletics was taken away. I did not do this, I was a good student with a high GPA and 1700 SAT score and now I am stuck at a JUCO (not knocking JUCO/Community College).
TJ Surgery was the worst thing that happened in my life but subsequently led to the best discovery of my life. I was lost when I realized I would never play again, as players we are bred to embrace baseball as a lifestyle, we often joke it is something we cannot live without and for a brief time I felt this to be true. How could something that gave me the best moments of my life lead to my darkest days? Luckily I found another passion, my whole life I idolized stand-up comedy and after the injury I decided instead of sitting and sulking I would try my hand in comedy. This was the best choice of my life, I am now a relatively successful NYC comedian and comedy writer and I've found it ha truly filled the gap that baseball left in me. I still get to travel and as funny as it sounds, comedy is a whole lot alike to being a pitcher; all the pressure is on you.
With all this being said, I'm happy if any of you have read this far. My main points would be to truly pick a school you love and would want to stay at. But more importantly if baseball is taken from you, realize that is not everything. There is so much more to be learned off the field, there is so much to be discovered off the mound. On the diamond or off the diamond, chase your dreams. You never know what might happen, things may happen for a reason, who knows. But if you find yourself down due to an injury or the game being over for you just remember, things get better, just keep your head up. Thank you
Dan
