baseball stories that will inspire you
Contents
- Baseball players who overcame adversity
- Baseball teams that came back from behind
- Baseball players who Made a Difference in their communities
- Baseball players who overcame injuries
- Baseball players who had remarkable seasons
- Baseball teams that overcame long odds
- Baseball players who made a comeback
- Baseball teams that went above and beyond
- Baseball players who inspired others
- Baseball teams that made a difference
These baseball stories are sure to inspire you. From comebacks to underdog stories, these tales will remind you why you love the game.
Baseball players who overcame adversity
While baseball is often seen as a simple game, the reality is that many of its players have overcome significant challenges in their lives to get where they are today. Here are three inspiring stories of baseball players who have triumphed against all odds.
1. Jim Abbott was born without a right hand, but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the best pitchers in the majors. He went on to play for 10 years in the big leagues winning a gold medal for Team USA at the 1988 Olympic Games along the way.
2. Curt Schilling was diagnosed with cancer in 2014, but that didn’t stop him from making an incredible comeback and pitching in the World Series just two years later. He ultimately retired from baseball in 2007 after 20 seasons.
3. Mo’ne Davis made history in 2014 when she became the first girl to ever pitch a shutout in the Little League World Series She went on to become the first female athlete to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated Magazine and has since become an inspiration for girls everywhere who dream of playing baseball
Baseball teams that came back from behind
In baseball, a team often has to come from behind to win the game. Here are some stories of teams that were able to do just that.
The Boston Red Sox were down 5-0 to the New York Yankees in the bottom of the ninth inning They were able to score six runs to win the game.
The San Francisco Giants were down 4-0 to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth inning. They were able to score five runs to win the game.
The Toronto Blue Jays were down 6-1 to the Baltimore Orioles in the bottom of the ninth inning. They were able to score seven runs to win the game.
Baseball players who Made a Difference in their communities
There are many baseball players who have made a difference in their communities, whether it be through charities, fundraisers, or simply by being role models. Here are just a few of these inspiring stories.
Ryan Zimmerman is the founder of the ziMS Foundation, which is dedicated to support people battling multiple sclerosis. He was inspired to start the foundation after his mother was diagnosed with the disease.
Jason Giambi is known for his charity work with children’s hospitals and Cancer Research centers. He has also been active in helping rebuild areas affected by natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina.
Mariano Rivera is one of the most successful Relief pitchers in baseball history He is also very active in philanthropy, and has started his own foundation to help provide education and resources to underprivileged children in his native Panama.
Baseball players who overcame injuries
While a career in baseball can be very successful, it can also be full of injuries. Here are four baseball players who overcame injuries to return to the game they love.
1. Troy Tulowitzki
Tulowitzki was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2005 and made his MLB debut in 2007. In 2008, he suffered a season-ending injury when he tore his left quadriceps tendon. Despite this major injury, Tulowitzki worked hard to rehab and return to the sport. He came back strong in 2009 and was even named to the National League All-Star team
2. Adrian Beltre
Beltre is a third baseman who has played for several teams during his MLB career, including the Los Angeles Dodgers Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox In 2004, Beltre suffered a serious injury when he tore his right labrum and had to have surgery. He worked hard to recover and was able to return to the game the following year.
3. Alex Rodriguez
Rodriguez is a former shortstop and third baseman who played 22 seasons in MLB. During his career, he had many successes, including being named American League MVP three times. In 2013, Rodriguez underwent hip surgery and was sidelined for over a year. He made a comeback in 2015 and played for two more seasons before announcing his retirement in 2016.
4. Curt Schilling
Schilling is a former MLB pitcher who played for several teams during his 20-year career, including the Philadelphia Phillies Arizona Diamondbacks, and Boston Red Sox In 2008, he underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his right ankle. He was still recovering from this injury when he played in the World Series that year but was able to help lead his team to victory.
Baseball players who had remarkable seasons
Every baseball season has its stories. Some of the best ones are about players who overcame obstacles or had unexpectedly great seasons. Here are four such stories from recent years
In 2018, pitcher Matt Harvey was dealt a difficult hand. After missing most of the previous season due to injury, Harvey was traded from the New York Mets to the Cincinnati Reds He struggled mightily in Cincinnati, posting a 7.09 ERA in 24 starts. But Harvey found his form in 2019, pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 59 games (seven starts) split between the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics
Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve is one of the best players in baseball but he wasn’t always an All-Star caliber player. In 2014, Altuve batted just .283/.316/.363 with seven home runs and 59 RBIs. But he worked hard to improve his game, and by 2017 he was an MVP-caliber player, batting .346/.410/.547 with 24 home runs and 81 RBIs.
Randal Grichuk is another player who had a breakout season in 2017 after being traded midseason. Grichuk was dealt from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Los Angeles Angels in July 2017. He went on to hit .238/.285/.475 with 16 home runs and 37 RBIs in 54 games for the Angels down the stretch.
Pitcher Zack Greinke had a down year in 2016, posting a 4.37 ERA in 32 starts for the Arizona Diamondbacks. But he rebounded in a big way in 2017, going 17-7 with a 2.93 ERA en route to being named an All-Star for the sixth time in his career.
Baseball teams that overcame long odds
The Boston Red Sox were down 3-0 against the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series No team had ever come back from that deficit to win a playoff series in baseball history But the Red Sox did it, coming back to win the next four games and advance to the World Series
The San Francisco Giants were trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by two games with just three to play in the National League West race. But the Giants won their final three games, including a dramatic walk-off home run by rookie Conor Gillaspie on the last day of the season, to clinch the division title.
These are just two of the many amazing baseball stories that will inspire you.
Baseball players who made a comeback
Whether it’s coming back from an injury or fighting their way back from the minors, these baseball players have shown that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams.
--Josh Hamilton After being out of baseball for nearly four years due to drug and alcohol addiction, Hamilton made a miraculous comeback in 2008. He went on to win the batting title and was named the American League MVP.
--Jim Abbott Abbott was born with only one hand, but that didn’t stop him from becoming one of the best pitchers in baseball. He had a successful career with the New York Yankees and California Angels, and he even threw a no-hitter in 1993.
-Dontrelle Willis: After struggling with anxiety disorder and making multiple trips to the minors, Willis made a triumphant return to the majors in 2010. He was even named National League Comeback Player of the Year.
Baseball teams that went above and beyond
While there have been many great baseball teams throughout history, there are a few that have gone above and beyond, inspiring fans and players alike. Here are three of those teams:
The 1927 New York Yankees are often considered one of the greatest teams of all time. Led by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig they won a then-record 110 games and swept the World Series
The 1975 Cincinnati Reds were another great team, led by future Hall of Famers Johnny Bench and Tony Perez They won 108 games and then swept the World Series
Finally, the 1998 New York Yankees are considered one of the best teams ever assembled. They won 114 games in the regular season and then went on to win the World Series
Baseball players who inspired others
Here are some stories of baseball players who inspired others, on and off the field.
-Derek Jeter
-Mariano Rivera
-Dustin Pedroia
-Alex Rodriguez
Baseball teams that made a difference
While professional baseball teams are competing for a Championship Title every year, there are some that stand out for the difference they made in their communities. These are Baseball Teams that used their platform to make a social or political impact, or simply brought people together in a time of need. Here are four stories of baseball teams that made a difference.
The Oakland Athletics were one of the first teams to bring awareness to the Black Lives Matter movement. In 2020, the team decided to kneel during the National Anthem as a way to protest racial injustice and police brutality. The A’s also made contributions to organizations that support Black Lives Matter and held forums for players and staff to have open conversations about race and social justice.
The Houston Astros were one of the first teams to provide relief after Hurricane Harvey hit Texas in 2017. The team donated money and supplies to those affected by the hurricane, and set up a fund to help employees who lost their homes. The Astros also hosted an event for Hurricane Harvey evacuees at their stadium, providing them with free food and entertainment.
In 2018, the Boston Red Sox used their platform to call attention to the issue of Gun Violence in America. After the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Red Sox players met with survivors of the shooting. The team also held a moment of silence for victims of gun violence before a game, and donated tickets to families impacted by gun violence.
The Detroit Tigers have been working with local non-profit organizations since 2006 to help revitalize Detroit neighborhoods. The Tigers work with groups like Habitat for Humanity and Boys & Girls Clubs of America to renovate homes and provide resources for youth in Detroit. The team has also worked with community gardens and food banks to improve access to fresh food in Detroit neighborhoods.