Former reliever Brandon Puffer achieved his biggest dream in life by making it to the big leagues and playing alongside some of the game's greatest all-time names as a member of the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.

Puffer, 36, showed tremendous perseverance, determination and resiliency as a journeyman pitcher who took a 15-season tour of the minors with 10 organizations that led to a few big league stints.

Known for his sidearm delivery, Puffer last pitched during the 2008 season with the Texas Rangers organization at Double-A Frisco.  

He played an instrumental role in leading the RoughRiders to the Texas League championship series against Arkansas by posting an 8-0 record with a 3.90 ERA over 67 innings in 39 appearances.

However, Puffer's life forever changed just hours following Frisco's 10-3 loss in Game 3 of the league championship series.

The former right-handed reliever was arrested on Sept. 13, 2008 for burglary of a habitation with the intent to commit a sexual assault.

Puffer was released on a $20,000 bail the following day and returned to pitch in the final two games of the series for the RoughRiders. 

Ultimately, he was found guilty of the aforementioned charge in a Collin County courtroom on July 2, 2009 and sentenced to five years in prison. 

His sentence runs through June 30, 2014, yet Puffer could be released soon due to a scheduled parole review date of Dec. 1, 2011.

Puffer, who is currently incarcerated in Venus, Texas, agreed to an exclusive interview with Examiner.com in order to tell his story.

Through his words and current status, he wants to influence individuals to do right when faced with potentially life-altering situations.

Q: Growing up in California, what sparked your interest in the game? Who were your biggest influences as a youngster?

A: I was attracted to baseball at the age of seven. My dad was my coach and a huge influence on me. Looking back, I really valued his time. He was always willing after a long day at work to throw me batting practice or catch me while I beat up his palm or shins. When I got a little older, I had a really great high-school coach at Capistrano Valley named Bob Zamora.

He did a great job of preparing us for the next level.

Q: Can you talk about the moment in which you made your major league debut with the Houston Astros on April 17, 2002?

A: Wow! My major league debut was a great moment. I was actually telling the story recently to some of my inmates while watching the World Series. It was a moment I looked forward to my whole life. I got the call from the bullpen to pitch the ninth inning in Cincinnati against the Reds. I think I floated on a cloud from the pen to the game mound. I couldn’t feel my legs. My warm-up pitches were all over the place. My family had flown in, and I could hear them cheer as my name was announced. The first batter I faced was Todd Walker and he struck out. I got the next guy out and then proceeded to hit Jason LaRue square in the back. Then, Barry Larkin got him to third. The score was 7-2 our way, and men were at first and third.

All of the sudden, it sounded like a cannon was going off in right field as Billy Wagner began to get loose. Manager Jimy Williams had held a meeting in Spring Training laying out his expectations. One thing that stood out was how adamant he was about his mound trips. He told us, 'If come to the mound, I’m there to pull you and for no other reason.' To avoid any confrontation on having a bad scene play out on national TV, Jimy always said to just hand him the ball and get off the mound. Here comes Jimy to the mound. I’m really bummed because I know I’m being yanked from my first big league appearance. I reached out to hand him the ball. He doesn’t reach for it.

Instead, he said, ‘Wait a minute. I know this is your debut. So, what are you going to do after the game? Do you need to call some family?’ I said, ‘No, my family flew in and are sitting in the stands.’ He said, ‘Okay. Well, what are you doing to eat? Are you going to eat in the clubhouse or spend some of that big league meal money and take your family out to eat?’ I told him I’m probably going to grab a snack in the clubhouse and then take them out to eat. He then said, ‘Good. Well, I'm very hungry, and I’m sure they are, too. So, get this last out so we can all go eat.’

He walked off. I proceeded to strike out Juan Encarnacion and was on top of the world. To have Jeff Bagwell come over and congratulate me, along with Brad Ausmus and the other guys, is a moment I will always remember for the rest of my life. 

Q: What do you remember most from your tenure with the Astros?

A: I’m very partial to the Astros for giving me an opportunity. Jimy Williams was so awesome. He always treated everyone the same, no matter what their stature was on the team. He would encouraged me when I was not doing well with words such as, 'You're here because you belong here; your stuff is good enough; just do what got you here and no more.' I have a great deal of respect for Jimy. The players were also class acts.

Billy Wagner helped me focus and not pay so much attention to the distractions. Of course, Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio are icons in Houston and true stars of the game. I felt very comfortable around them. Brad Ausmus was a great catcher to break in the league with. He is knowledgeable, and you could trust him. He was good at laying into a ballplayer in a productive way.

Lance Berkman was so classy and a great spiritual mentor. We did several bible studies together. My faith has always been so important to me. That is why it made getting into trouble hurt so much. It hurt my testimony, although God is using it to strengthen it now.

I spent a lot of time with Brad Lidge and Jeriome Robertson. My heart broke when I received a letter in prison that J-Rob passed away. He struggled with addictions as I did. Addiction will only lead to prison or death. We are examples of that. I know J-Rob is in Heaven.

Q: Out of all the organizations you played for during your career, which rank up there as your personal favorites?

A: I will always be grateful to the Astros for giving me my first opportunity in the big leagues. My favorite organization is, without a doubt, the Texas Rangers. They signed me to be a mentor in their organization and were grooming me to be a coach for them. They treated me like family. The Ryan family has been amazing to me. I did get to talk to Nolan a lot about pitching, and I actually made my home in Round Rock after playing there in 2001. I became close with the entire Ryan family.

It’s real emotional for me to watch the Rangers from prison. I want to be a part of it so bad. I’m so happy for their success. The Rangers stepped up to the plate in such a major way when my life hit rock bottom. Nolan Ryan and Jackie Moore came to my trial, and they spoke on my behalf as character witnesses. They care about me as a person, even though I embarrassed the organization.

I will forever be grateful for them. I get letters occasionally from Reid Ryan.

Q: What are some things you do on a day-to-day basis in prison?

A: I’m actually in the best shape of my life right now. I get a couple hours of recreation time a day and work very hard with the idea of playing the game I love again. I have had an opportunity to train guys who have no athletic backgrounds. They call me “coach” or “MLB.” I use these sessions to try and have a positive impact on their lives. I try to give guys something to fill the gap of drug abuse or hustling on the streets.

I wake up in the morning and do my bible study. After first chow at 4:30 a.m., I work as a janitor in the dorm. This has been humbling, but I can honestly say that the change in my thoughts and perspective have made this time worth every minute.

When you go from a major league career, where you are waited on hand and foot, to cleaning toilets in prison and being told when to eat, sleep, walk and talk, it alters your life dramatically. God has blessed me with such a peace and protection since I got real with him and gave my whole life to him.

I have been able to reach people that I never would have interacted with, had I not come here to prison. I have many stories and testimonies about this, but one sticks out. I spent 10 days in an 8x10 cell on 23-hours lockdown with a man called “Bone.” He had just brutally murdered three people and lit them on fire. He just received two-life sentences with no parole. He had no hope. The night before I got in the cell, he confessed to me that he was tying up his sheets to end his life. I was able to share with him the hope I have in Jesus Christ. Before I left, he said, ‘I know God brought you here specifically for me.’

Times like this encourage me. I could be worse off. I must remain positive. I must say that along with having God in my life, I am so blessed to have an amazing family and friends. This really helps my time.

I talk to my parents, brother and my three beautiful kids a few times a month. My kids have been so supportive of me. They keep me striving to better myself while I’m here so I can be a better man when I get out.

Q: If you get paroled before the end of this year, what are some of your goals? Do you want to play baseball again?

A: I am expecting a parole answer any day now. First and foremost, my children need their daddy home. Yes, I would love to play again. I have not put any stress on my arm over the last few years. I had surgery to remove bone spurs in my elbow while I was out on bail. That spur had limited me a lot since 2003. I’m excited to see how my arm responds. I always had the goal to pitch until I was 40-years-old, and then move into coaching.

I think, if given the opportunity, I still could. My whole career was during the steroid era, and I played clean. I would love to compete now, especially since they cleaned the game up. If I were to pitch just one more time, it would be worth it. I don’t want people to say “Puff” was a good guy and good pitcher, but he had that legal trouble and we never heard from him again.

My short-term goals are to get out and transfer my parole to California. I realize I have the greatest parents, brother, aunt, uncles, grandmas, cousins and kids in the world. Most of my family is in California. I want to make up for lost time. Then, I want to get back in a uniform and start providing for my family again.

I've actually seriously considered becoming a knuckleballer. I always had a good one and many pitching coaches tried to get me to use it. Several knuckleballers, like Tim Wakefield, pitched well into their 40s. I would have to take it seriously to succeed.

I'd like to one day become a big league bullpen coach, as well as write a book, and also come back into prisons as a ministry in order to encourage others who are in this very difficult situation.

I used to think those in prison were bad people that belonged there. While people here, including me, have made mistakes, there are some incredibly talented and good human beings alongside me.

With support and encouragement, they will become extremely productive citizens again. I want to bring that hope to prisons as some awesome volunteers have brought encouragement to me. While I’m behind razor wire, my mind has never been more free.

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