The Comeback

I am 56 years old, close to 57. I am a former professional baseball player, a pitcher to be exact. My last competitive pitch was 32 or so years ago. I have been a minor league coach, a pitching coordinator and a major league pitching coach over the last 33 years. The reason for the background information lets the reader know where I have been, the Comeback, is where I am going. I am going to have everyone join me on this amazing comeback. The main obstacles, besides the obvious, is that I have had two hip replacements, I have had three knee operations, a shoulder repair, a torn elbow ligament and top of this aging process, arthritis is trying to crawl up my spine and into these long, thin fingers.

Well, you see day one of the comeback, an embarrassing and miserable 53 miles per hour, measured by the amazing pocket radar smart coach app. Another bit of pertinent information is that I am leading an arm care and velocity training class, twice a week at Diamond Fit Performance in North Raleigh, NC. Yes, this former Major League coach of eight years is pouring it out twice a week for his students, aged 11 to 19. Since the 2019 season ended I have received hard earned certifications in Driveline Youth Baseball Training, Rapsodo Pitching, Functional Movement Screen and I have finished all but the the final step of Driveline Foundations of Pitching. Put that on top of 33 years in professional baseball experience and I think we have the makings of a well educated class. The students are posting personal records for velocity each week but the real test will come as I begin to put myself through the rigors of the arm care and velocity training. I have consulted with physical therapists, certified strength and conditioning coaches as well as my knowledge attained from the new certifications for class content. Oh yea, did I say I was a major league pitching coach as recently as 2018? I have some advantages in my class, I once pitched for Dr. Mike Marshall, the creator of weighted ball training. Hmm, the plot thickens doesn’t it? Did you know Mike Marshall pitched in 106 games in 1974, won the Cy Young Award that year. He was 15-12 with 21 saves. He logged 208 innings pitches. Crazy! We cant even get starting pitchers to 200 innings in recent seasons.

I will keep everyone updated as the comeback moves forward. Lets put all the new concepts to the test! Along with some ancient concepts as well. Very few coaches have been privy to work with the hardest thrower ever, Aroldis Chapman, as well as with Dr. Mike Marshall, a Hall of Famer closer and many other of the best pitchers, coaches, people and analysts in the game of baseball. Next time, lets see if I can improve my velocity and throw my age.