Another absolute gem of a story from Geoff Baker, a must follow on twitter @gbakermariners. Mariners outfielder Trayvon Robinson grew up in South Central Los Angeles, had bullets from a drive by shooting rip through his home, had pressure to join gangs and sell drugs all throughout high school, but in the end was able to use sports as a way to escape the violence. In the story link below, Robinson talks about growing up in South Central, the challenges he faced, and looking forward to giving back to his community now that he has hit it big. Additionally Robinson’s Crenshaw High School coach Andre Green and others talk about the chaos that surrounded him as he worked his way through high school. It’s an awesome read.
Trayvon Robinson’s dangerous road from South Central L.A. to the Mariners — Seattle Times
Six months ago, the odds of Steve Delabar becoming a big league pitcher may have been longer than the odds of him winning the Power Ball jackpot. Delabar’s five year minor league career in the San Diego Padres organization never saw him make it beyond the Low-A Fort Wayne Wizards. He was exiled to the Independent Leagues in 2008. In 2009 while pitching for the Brockton Rox he blew out his arm. With his baseball career seemingly over he went back to his native Kentucky and got a job as a substitute teacher and high school baseball assistant coach. What happens from there is the stuff movies are made of as this must read piece by the Seattle Times writer Geoff Baker describes the whirlwind six months that took Delabar from Kentucky high school fields to a Major League Baseball diamond with the Seattle Mariners. It’s the most incredible story since Jim Morris. An absolute must read.
Mariner Steve Delabar goes from classroom to majors — SeattleTimes.com
UPDATE: Here is an audio interview conducted with Delabar from ESPN 710 in Seattle in which he offers further insight into his incredible journey.
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