After 17 years in the minor leagues and playing overseas in Japan, Texas Rangers pitcher Brandon Mann finally made it to the big leagues.
On Sunday, Mann pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings in the Rangers’ 6-1 loss to the Houston Astros. He made his debut just four days from his 34th birthday, becoming the second-oldest player to start his major league career with the Rangers.
“It means everything,” Mann told the Dallas News. “Lots of reflecting on the journey of where it’s been. This is pretty awesome. I always told myself I was a big leaguer. To keep grinding for that opportunity, you have to believe that you are.”
Mann, was drafted out of high school in Tacoma, Wash., by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 27th round of the 2002 MLB draft. He went on to play for five different major league organizations and even had a stint in Japan.
Mann’s journey started with the Rays (2002-09), then with the Los Angeles Dodgers (2010), next overseas to Japan (2011-12), to the independent leagues (2010, 20014-15), back to the minors with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2014), then the Oakland Athletics (2016-17), and finally with the Rangers (2018).
In his 17-year minor league career, Mann has a 4.35 ERA in 1,270 2/3 total innings pitched. According to CBS Sports, he has pitched as a starter and a reliever. With the Rangers, he’ll continue to come out of the bullpen as a left-handed specialist.
“I believed in my heart I was definitely capable of pitching in the big leagues,” Mann said. “It’s crazy what happens.”
FOX Southwest had a camera on his wife once he stepped foot on the mound for the first time in his career.
This is why you never give up! pic.twitter.com/qBoECqXL9X
— Baseball Bros (@BaseballBros) May 14, 2018
This story teaches us the importance of not to giving up and persevering toward the goals and passions God has given us.
Proverbs 14:23 says, “In all hard work there is a profit, but mere talk leads to poverty.” Not everyone who has dreams to play in the majors will do so, but the scripture promises that if you apply work to anything you do, then there will be a profit. If we just talk about our dreams or have idle hands, then it won’t happen.
Mann and the Rangers will start a two-game series on Tuesday against the Seattle Mariners at 10:10 p.m. ET.
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