well, over the past few days i've been in the process of getting signed and now i'm in Arizona. So i just now got my computer logged on since i've been so busy. Lets start off on wednesday, i get a call from my agent, we have everything worked out, im all set to fly out on friday morning. So i fly out of panama city beach, fl at 615AM on friday. then im in Dallas by 1130. i get checked in and then im off to the doctor to get an MRI and Physical. got that done, doctor said my arm looked like i had never pitched an inning in my life, so i guess that is good. after that it was back to the hotel for a shower and then off to the stadium. I get to the stadium and go up to the Assistant GM's office. Where i then signed my contract. Its nice to know that im now guaranteed a good bit of money So i signed the contract, then i get to go down to the GM's Suite. Where i was told i could order anything i wanted ( this was by far the dumbest business move in Rangers history) I got the biggest Filet Mignon steak ever, and soup, salad, chicken wings and like 2 desserts. which i ate over the course of the game. The Next day i was scheduled to throw a bullpen in the big stadium. So i get to the field, park in player parking, get my locker, get my uniform and get dressed. Then i went into the Coaches meeting room for about 30 minutes waiting on the catchers to get there. I got to sit down at a table and talk about the game and pitching with Orel Hershiser and Buck Showalter which was an experience. Then we went to the bullpen. I get down there, and take my cleats out of my bag ( my cleats are clean but still worn) and Orel says " what the heck are those?" and im like " cleats?" and he says " no their not, those are terrible, what size are you?" He goes and finds on of their relief pitchers with a 14 and he gives me a brand new pair of mizunos and says " Their yours" I then went into the pen and threw, i did pretty good, hit most of my spots and worked a simulated inning with Orel calling the pitches. Didnt do too bad. After that i went and showered, and chilled in the big league clubhouse for awhile. That place is amazing, they have any kind of snack you could want, any kind of amenity you could think of FOR FREE. Then i went and ate at a restaurant at the stadium, came back out and left through player parking, as i was walking to the car, i see Soriano pull up, hes in a HUGE white hummer on 28" rims, he even had TV's on the side mirrors. it was crazy. Next i was on my way to Arizona. Nothing to eventful here, except the heat. We have an off day today, practice and game tommorrow. I'll keep you posted on how i do. Later
Posts: 227 | Location: Panama City Beach,Florida | Registered: February 20, 2003
Oh yeah. Life is sweet in the land of new cleats and Filet Mignon. SF is livin' the dream. Make the most of the opportunity and it could be an every day thing.
Posts: 4795 | Location: Florida | Registered: December 26, 2002
That is one of the coolest stories I have read on the hsbbweb. This is what dreams are made of, and I hope you have a long and successful career. I have found that the hsbbweb allows one to live vicariously through the positive baseball experiences of others. I would have loved to signed a pro contract like you and I appreciate that you shared your experience in such detail. There was a post several weeks back by bbscout that wondered whether or not the hsbbweb is appropriately named since there was so many college and pro discussions going on. I think it is. It seems that whenever there is some success in baseball - even at an early age, that it is inevitable that dreams of the big leagues soon follow. Please keep us posted in the future as to how it is going.
Such wonderful story. Thanks for sharing. You are living a dream that many would love to live, not the least of which includes spending time with Orel Hershiser ... our son would give almost anything to meet Mr Hershiser who has always been his hero and role model.
We know you will be very busy but please do check in periodically and let us know how you are doing. Maybe we could figure a way for you to do a "minor league diary" on the site ... any ideas, MN-Mom?
Anyway, Shane, congratulations, have fun, and may God bless your future with good health and lots of WINS !!!!
Mary Ann * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." Deuteronomy 31:8 [8/21/08]
Posts: 3937 | Location: Somewhere out there beneath the pale moonlight ... | Registered: January 02, 2003
heck, i'll check in a lot, i have my laptop with me, and nothing to do. Our days usually end around 130-2 everyday from what i hear. and i dont have a car out here. I'm bumming rides from John Whittleman right now, their 2nd round pick.but i'll keep ya'll updated, gives me something to do. Well im goin to get some lunch and check out the Mall, later.
Posts: 227 | Location: Panama City Beach,Florida | Registered: February 20, 2003
Congrats to you for making it.. I remember when you first started posted.. Know that we are behind you 100% and to have the time of your life.. You are living the dream of the many players here on this board.
When you get issued your MLB cards I need one for my HSBWeb collection
Stay in touch and don't forget to call your mom once in a while
_______________ "Baseball, it is said, is only a game. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole."
"JustMom"
Posts: 1631 | Location: Virginia | Registered: December 26, 2002
Great story and congrats on earning this opportunity.
We'll be keeping up with you since a former teammate and good friend of my son is now one of your teammates, Phillip Hawke. Don't know if you had a chance to meet him yet, but he is a great kid, hope y'all get to know each other.
Good luck to you.
Posts: 37 | Location: Louisiana | Registered: January 05, 2003
To get back to Dallas and into that clubhouse, you'll have a LOT of bus rides, noon games in the sweltering sun, playing with and against guys on your team who want you to fail because you're all competing against each other......you'll experience the fact that the ball carries much further out west (oh, I forgot, you already experienced that in New Mexico) and now, you're OWNED by the team.
I WISH YOU THE VERY BEST AND HOPE YOU MAKE IT BACK TO THE CLUBHOUSE/PENTHOUSE very soon, but, just know that NOW, the work begins !!!!
Go get 'em, we'll be cheering you on and praying for you each day !
Posts: 210 | Location: Panama City, Fl. | Registered: December 28, 2002
Hey baseball1, Good to see you back on the HSBBW! Congratulations on Clete being called up from short season “A" ball. Didn't take Clete long for him to make his presence known at Oneonta! NOTE: Baseball1’s nephew is Clete Thomas and is crushing the ball in the Detroit Tigers minors system. He was called up to the West Michigan Whitecaps last week! He's till crushing the ball, hitting over .300 and is 9 for 10 in stolen bases. He’s on a fast track to the show! Fungo
Posts: 4818 | Location: Spring Creek (Jackson),Tennessee | Registered: December 26, 2002
that is amazing! your with a great organization (rangers 4 ever!) and your living a dream, i hope u make it to the show and id liek to c u in arlington
Posts: 8 | Location: PA | Registered: July 30, 2005
So i signed the contract, then i get to go down to the GM's Suite. Where i was told i could order anything i wanted ( this was by far the dumbest business move in Rangers history) I got the biggest Filet Mignon steak ever, and soup, salad, chicken wings and like 2 desserts. which i ate over the course of the game. The Next day i was scheduled to throw a bullpen in the big stadium. So i get to the field, park in player parking, get my locker, get my uniform and get dressed. Then i went into the Coaches meeting room for about 30 minutes waiting on the catchers to get there. I got to sit down at a table and talk about the game and pitching with Orel Hershiser and Buck Showalter which was an experience. Then we went to the bullpen. I get down there, and take my cleats out of my bag ( my cleats are clean but still worn) and Orel says " what the heck are those?" and im like " cleats?" and he says " no their not, those are terrible, what size are you?" He goes and finds on of their relief pitchers with a 14 and he gives me a brand new pair of mizunos and says " Their yours" I then went into the pen and threw, i did pretty good, hit most of my spots and worked a simulated inning with Orel calling the pitches. Didnt do too bad. After that i went and showered, and chilled in the big league clubhouse for awhile. That place is amazing, they have any kind of snack you could want, any kind of amenity you could think of FOR FREE. Then i went and ate at a restaurant at the stadium, came back out and left through player parking, as i was walking to the car, i see Soriano pull up, hes in a HUGE white hummer on 28" rims, he even had TV's on the side mirrors. it was crazy. Next i was on my way to Arizona. Nothing to eventful here, except the heat. We have an off day today, practice and game tommorrow. I'll keep you posted on how i do. Later
