September 19, 2008

Pitcher battled back from near death: Dusty Baker used fisherman's terminology to describe left-hander Adam Pettyjohns slashing and sliding fastball. He waved his hand like a trout captured in a net. "Thats what he throws," Baker said. "In and out, cutting and tailing and sinking. Nothing straight." It took seven years of swimming upstream for Pettyjohn to complete an unlikely return to the major leagues. He pitched one scoreless inning Sunday for the Cincinnati Reds, his first appearance since 2001. His story is hard to believe, but this is no fisherman's tale.

Great story about a MLB pitcher who almost died and not only battled back to live, but also battled back to the big leagues.

posted by jjdm to baseball at 02:50 PM - 5 comments

That was a nice gesture by Baker to give Pettyjohn the line up card.

posted by bperk at 04:52 PM on September 19, 2008

Sorry about the misformatting, Jjdm. I'm fixing a bug that eats smart quotes.

posted by rcade at 06:10 PM on September 19, 2008

It's nice to see someone's diligence and hard work get rewarded. We always think of the all-stars, but forget about the guys who bust their asses every spring just to make the squad (sometimes not until Sept. call-ups.) Thanks for the story, and I hope to see Pettyjohn on the roster next year as the Reds return to prominence...winning a...contending for...well, good luck to him!

posted by tahoemoj at 07:39 PM on September 19, 2008

cool deal, hope he makes a roster next spring!

posted by dviking at 10:06 PM on September 19, 2008

Pettyjohn is getting the start tomorrow against the Cards in the season finale. Nice work to be there, win or lose.

posted by tahoemoj at 02:43 AM on September 28, 2008

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