11/04/24
June 08, 2011
Rangers Draft Paralyzed Outfielder: In the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball draft, the Texas Rangers chose Jonathan Taylor, a University of Georgia outfielder who was paralyzed after an outfield collision in March. The team used an earlier second round pick on Taylor's teammate Zach Cone, who was involved in the accident.
Judging by the stats, it looks like they selected him close to where they might have had he not been injured.
Checked his bio: junior pre-business major. Maybe they can sign him, help him continue his education, and develop him into a damn good front-office person.
posted by jjzucal at 06:15 PM on June 08, 2011
I'm with graymatters on this one. Not quite sure how to feel about it.
posted by evixir at 07:40 PM on June 08, 2011
The Rangers' Georgia scout has known the kid since he was in high school.
posted by rcade at 08:10 PM on June 08, 2011
I know how to feel about it! Terrible! What position is the kid gonna play? That is not a good selection at all. Surely there was an able-bodied young man available who desired to play baseball? Professionally?
Ok. Read the link. I was way off base. I thought it was a strategic selection. Turns out it's just a great thing.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 06:42 PM on June 09, 2011
I know exactly how to feel about it. I am an avowed Mariner fan and root against the Rangers at every turn even though the minor league team in my town is a Rangers farm club.
But when I heard this story on the radio I was a Rangers fan for the day. Well done Nolan Ryan and crew.
posted by THX-1138 at 03:18 PM on June 10, 2011
Guessing it was an off-day.
posted by yerfatma at 04:25 PM on June 10, 2011
No suh. If'n ah recall, thuh Mare-nurs took thuh last game frum thuh Whaht Sox of a 3 game seeruz.
(See? I even typed with a Texas accent, albeit a crude stereotypical one.)
posted by THX-1138 at 05:08 PM on June 10, 2011
Actions like this always give me mixed feelings. Is it a feel-good story? Or is it self-aggrandizing? I hope the former.