Wounded Vet signs with Padres

I'm behind the kid 110%. However it does bother me that he wasn't a prospect out of HS years ago, has spent a long time away from the game protecting our country, is injured that involved the loss of body parts, and is now in camp. I hope he is not being used as a publicity stunt as he is due much more respect than that.

RZ


great point !!!

quote:

Originally posted by rz1:
I'm behind the kid 110%. However it does bother me that he wasn't a prospect out of HS years ago, has spent a long time away from the game protecting our country, is injured that involved the loss of body parts, and is now in camp. I hope he is not being used as a publicity stunt as he is due much more respect than that.

Here is a quote from Sandy Alderson the Chief Exec for San Diego Padres

"“We’re in it for the long haul with him,” Alderson said. “He’s going to have every opportunity to perform. From my standpoint, this had to be a legitimate baseball prospect.”

I'm with you on this one rz.

quote:

Originally posted by Novice Dad:

Here is a quote from Sandy Alderson the Chief Exec for San Diego Padres

"“We’re in it for the long haul with him,” Alderson said. “He’s going to have every opportunity to perform. From my standpoint, this had to be a legitimate baseball prospect.”

Novice Dad,

What did you expect him to say? This is a publicity stunt to show our support for the troops. That was the standard safe response that any baseball exec would make. Now if he would have gone to the independent League, set it on fire, I have no problem. But he comes home without seeing nothing more than a HS batter years ago now they say he is deserving. I feel he is just a pawn in the game. Sorry.

I hope he makes it because I don't want to see him fail. What about the next guy that comes home with some old tools, is he getting the same shake, or is it old news then?

rz,

hey all I wanted to do was post a nice story about a kid who is getting a chance after serving our country. I'll take the story at face value, and be happy for the kid. As a 22 year old who has come off the battle field, and has seen his friends die, I doubt anyone can take advantage of him.

I don't know the kid but I would guess he's happy to be alive and just to have the opportunity to compete. If it last 6 weeks, 6 months or a year I'm happy for him, and don't care if his curveball is not up to par.

The article on Yahoo states that Alderson is a former member of the armed forces, which branch I can't remember, so I doubt he would use a fellow soldier as PR or a stunt. The article also said he throws 92 and has movement on two breaking pitches. I really don't want to think that the San Diego organization is taking advantage of his service, and so far I'm not inclined to think so.

I read in another article

quote:

The Padres arranged for Brannan to pitch in front of scout Brendan Hause, who didn't see much velocity (85 mph) but did see a flawed delivery and a sloppy curveball. Yet he loved Brannan's demeanor, attitude and athletic size. Hey, why not give him a shot?

vet

He's getting an opportunity...let's all hope that it works out for him and the Padres.

Most of our wounded veterans don't want sympathy,...they just want a fair shake at getting back into the civilian world or picking up from where they left off. They want decent medical care and decent rehabilitation.

Perhaps some have decided to come back and give it a shot at fullfilling their lifetime dreams.
Dreams that perhaps before the war were simply tucked away in the back of their minds, waiting for the right moment, waiting to get to those dreams, someday.

Perhaps now, they have a new perspective on life.
Perhaps now, they are wiser, stronger, and more focused/disciplined.
Funny how being in combat can make ones soul grow leap years in a relatively short amount of time.
Perhaps they realize that the time is now, rather than later.
Perhaps they have decided to seize this gift of a second chance at life, knowing that some of their fallen fellow soldiers no longer have that chance.

Perhaps,..perhaps,...perhaps.

Perhaps they will make it,....perhaps not.
Time will tell,
and then the rest of us will know.

I for one will be the supporter in their corner, granting them the benefit of the doubt.

Taken advantage of?.....I highly doubt it.

Half the battle is trying, the other half is believing! Throw some dicipline and skill in there and you've got a winning combination all the way around, in my book.

Cooper Brannan quote:

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I told him, "You don't have to play favorites with me. I just want to see if I still have it." This is something that I've always been wanting to do my whole life, and now I'm going to hit the ground running, man.

quote:

For everyone out there who's down in the dumps, whether it's a military man or anybody that's gone through any kind of pain and suffering, I hope they really learn from this, that you can pick up and strive to do better and fulfill your dreams.

HUAH Cooper Brannan!! I hope you reach your dreams!!
You are an inspiration for others.

You already have a fan, simply because you are trying and you haven't given up,....ME!!!

I am going to be rz's "guardian angel" on this one. I understood what he was trying to get across.
He is just concerned that with all he has been through, in respect, he hopes he is not being taken advantage of.
On another note, I think it is a feel good story, and I think considering the past weeks events, we could all use a few of those.

qoute:
ALAN SCHWARZ: There's understandable speculation that the Padres' signing you is just a favor for a young vet. Everyone wants to know: Are you a real baseball player?

COOPER BRANNAN: Oh yeah, oh yeah. When they went to sign me, I asked them--it wasn't even like I asked, it was more like, "I know I have what it takes and I can get to that level. I just need somebody to work with me." After two and a half years in the Marines, I went out there and threw for them and threw 85, and they got me a pitching coach and three weeks later they already got me throwing 93. That's pretty much what I needed.

I hope this young man gets a chance to live his dream.
He surely earned this chance.
EH

I don't think anyone is saying the young man does not deserve a chance. It's like the 30+ something jewish player mentioned here a few weeks back.

Everyone deserves a chance to follow his dream.

But chances should be given for the right reasons, I think that is all that was meant.

Sometimes things get lost in translation on a message board.

Why, this is terrible!!!

quote:

Sometimes things get lost in translation on a message board.

Never mind.

The young mans throwing 93mph!
That's reason enough don't you think?
I don't feel he's being taken advantage of.
He's loving every minute of it.
It doesn't hurt the Padres that he's a ex Marine.
And your right next to Camp Pendleton.
But it does make you feel good after this week of tragedy.
Brannon has seen his share I'm sure.
I hope he makes it.
EH

quote:

I hope he makes it.

......me too, I really do!