He was rising star for the Tigers in the late 1990s and earlier this decade. He nearly lost his life due to ulcerative colitis and shortly after making a few appearances for the 2001 Tigers was out of baseball.
Well, Pettyjohn is back in the bigs with Cincinnati. He made his first appearance with the Reds right here in Phoenix on Sunday: 1 IP, 2 hits, 0 runs, 1 strikeout.
Check out this article by Rany Jazayerli on BaseballProspectus.com.
It’s a feel-good piece to be sure.
This man deserves to have a TV movie made about him. Though he is too humble to allow it made.
One of his high school coaches
LikeLike
The surgery that Adam had is two parts the first they remove your colon, create an internal reservoir that acts as a new colon (sort of) and give you an ostomy. Then in 3 months after the internal reservoir has healed they remove the ostomy and you begin to function somewhat normally. I just had the second surgery 3 weeks ago. My surgeon says everything went perfectly and I am a text book case for him. If that is the case I can’t imagine having any problems. What Adam went through is tougher than words can every explain. I am a former college baseball player and I couldn’t even imagine getting back to that level so for Adam to make it back to the show is some kind of story. They really should make a movie out of it. I know I am rooting for him. Great piece thanks for writing it!
LikeLike
In this world, we all need positive role models and Adam is one of mine. True strength, grit and faith!
LikeLike