Michael Taylor: A's
prospect, former Cape
Leaguer, inspiration
to all (MILB)
We live in an era when considerable energy seems to be spent looking for tales of misbehavior among athletes. So it was especially nice to read yesterday about Oakland A’s outfield prospect Michael Taylor, a player on the cusp of making the majors despite having Type 1 diabetes.
Appearing in the Contra Costa (CA) Times and available via The Boston Herald, the article speaks glowingly about the encouragement Taylor provides to young people with the disease. “You can do anything,” he is reported to have told a diabetic youngster with whom he spoke for 20 minutes after a game last year. “That’s a cliche, but it’s true. [Diabetes] shouldn’t be a hindrance, especially in this day and age.”
Joe Stiglich’s story resonated with this observer not only because of its feel-good nature or the against-type casting of the 6' 6" 260-pound slugger as a gentle dispenser of inspiration. No, it struck a chord because of the determined mindset it illustrates and the clear memory of an early summer morning on Cape Cod several years ago.
Taylor then was a member of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, and he was struggling, as so many Cape Leaguers do, to pry hits off the country’s top college pitchers while using a bat made of wood instead of the familiar aluminum. I remember remarking to club officials how he looked like a hitter, only to be told that he certainly would be if he only would only make the adjustment they were recommending.
Days later, I was at Red Wilson Field bright and early, and there was Taylor in the batting cage, working off a tee all by himself, lost in concentration, as he methodically set himself up, loaded, and fired through the baseball. Lather, rinse, repeat. Lather, rinse, repeat. It was such a grand illustration of how to learn to be mentally prepared when approaching the plate that I carry it with me still. And rightly or wrongly, I have the distinct impression that it was that moment his professional career began.
The Phillies rewarded him the following June by taking him in the 5th round (no. 173 overall) of the 2007 draft. This winter, he was part of the three-team deal that sent Roy Halladay from Toronto to Philadelphia, and then was traded immediately to Oakland for Brett Wallace. The A’s love his speed as much as his size, and if he’s not with the team when it breaks camp, he’s a lock to be there before long.
So you see kids? It is possible to work hard and be a good person and actually reap the rewards … no matter what the tabloids say.
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