Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Living The Dream

h/t Common Cents and Hot Air


So, a 23-y.o. kid selling software in Nashville hasn't played organized baseball since JV in high school, but he finds out accidently he's got a 90MPH fastball. So he gets a trainer, works on it, tightens up his fastball (96MPH), and learns an 80+MPH slider, and then a smartphone video at a Rockies game goes viral, a scout sees it, and he gets signed by the Oakland A's.

Then gets the call to move from minor league single-A to The Show, and puts up three Ks in his first inning in MLB.

What a country.
Kids, eat your Wheaties, and never give up on your dreams.

We wish Nathan Patterson all the best, on what we hope will be a long career in MLB, even though he's playing for the farkin' Oakland A's. And hey, if it doesn't work out, he can always go back to selling software.


14 comments:

T-Rav said...

This is why "Murica" should always be spoken in tones of awe, never in derision.

Anonymous said...

Hope he makes it. We all love a rags to riches story.

Anonymous said...

How's your fast ball, Neddy?

Anonymous said...

My fast ball??
Wobbly at best.

Old NFO said...

Good for him!

James M Dakin said...

Yes, yes, we all love a rags to riches story. Good on him, meritocracy uber alles, etc. Now, if I might offer up my Debbie Downer two cents worth. Are we celebrating that the Sports Lottery is alive and well, the very few anointed ones worthy of fame and fortune as they lead the distraction of the Imperial Circus? Go on, hate on me rather than where the system is now. Wave your made in China flag, buy a Chevy if you want a 50k mile vehicle, and eat your apple pie made from GMO fruit.

lineman said...

You speak truth Brother but what are you doing to stop or slow it...

commoncents said...

THANK YOU FOR THE HAT TIP!!!!

Viral Video - Last To Leave Roller Coaster Wins $20,000 - Challenge
https://commoncts.blogspot.com/2019/08/viral-video-last-to-leave-roller.html

Badger said...

If he made it to the show, his pay ceiling is forever raised even if he goes right back to the minor system for awhile. Nice to hear story and I'd bet it was about a nanosecond for him to determine that this beats selling software.

commoncents said...

Could you please add CC to your blogroll?

https://commoncts.blogspot.com/

Aesop said...

@commoncents,

It was a great story, but my blogroll is only the sites I visit every day, as a go-to, and as people give up the game one way or another, they tend to diminish, not increase. If I put the 500 others I pop onto now and again, I'd never have time to write anything, and they'd trail three feet down the margin.

I do the hat tips to give credit where it's due, and if folks discover someone new they want to follow, I've done my part by leaving the electronic breadcrumbs.
Keep up the good work, and best wishes.

James M Dakin said...

Lineman-that is a fallacy, thinking any of us can affect this outcome. It is money in the bank, carved in stone. Overpopulation, meet resource depletion. Malthus was right. Get out of the way of the soon to be bouncing rubble, stock deep, avoid crowds. Oh, and popcorn.

cyrus83 said...

Technically the game action was with the A's rookie league affiliate in the minors, but that's still an impressive accomplishment for the guy. Here's hoping he does get to live the dream in the majors one day down the road.

The Freeholder said...

As someone who never was good at baseball, I'm tickled for him. Live the dream, kid.