Posted on 03/05/2007 5:45:50 AM PST by marine86297
PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - One by one, more than 80 players seated on a back field of the Padres' spring training complex stood and gave their names and where they were last season. "Jesus Lopez. Fort Wayne. Eugene." Class-A teammates laughed and teased. "Michael Johnson. Pittsburgh Pirates. Indianapolis." The group welcomed Johnson into the organization. Then a tall, broad-shouldered and tanned No. 40 stood. "Cooper Brannan. United States Marine Corps." No one said a word. No one had to. They all knew the story of the player unlike any other in camp. Or in baseball this spring. Brannan, a 22-year-old Marine infantryman home from a second tour of duty in Iraq because he lost a finger to a grenade, is trying to win a minor league pitching job with San Diego. "It's not every day a guy coming out of the Marine Corps gets to do this, you know?" a beaming Corporal Brannan said as he walked through the Padres clubhouse after a bullpen session. "It was great!" Earlier, the 6-foot-4, 235-pound squad leader who grew up in nearby Gilbert, Ariz., threw his fastballs, two versions of a changeup and a splitter he wants to keep quiet. He didn't show much of the curveball the Padres say is impressive - even though the only time Brannan has used it since high school four years ago was last summer with the All-Marine Corps team against semipro squads. Bob Cluck, the former pitching coach for Detroit, Houston and Oakland and now San Diego's minor league pitching consultant, watched closely behind Brannan. After Sunday's bullpen session - Cluck told the broad-shouldered Brannan he liked what he saw.
(Excerpt) Read more at msn.foxsports.com ...
Semper Fidelis Marine and Good Luck
If perseverance counts for anything, this young Marine will go far in life, and, I hope, baseball. What a great story that would be for him, and for us too! Good luck and God speed.
What a wonderful story. Thanks for helping get my day started with thoughts of this young hero.
Where is the part about how President Bush sneaked into his hospital room and sprayed mold on the wall to make him sick????
sigh.....predictably true.
That's a fantastic story; thanks for posting! Playing professional sports is a dream for so many; it's always amazing to see people who put the dream on hold to serve their country. Very inspirational.
First Marine ping post hope this works, thanks to Racebannon for the assist.
I hope everyone enjoys this post.
Semper Fidelis
WOOHOO! America's finest BUMP! Spring trainging BUMP! Baseball BUMP!
What a good read. He is a true hero. Thanks for the ping!!
[Mrs T]
Thanks for the post. A great story that is for sure.
Good job, loved it!
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