Never let the fear of striking out get in your way

In any sport, being so close to realizing your dream and then seeing it slip through your fingers, either makes you or breaks you.  Loren Deans is one such sportsman and, in my opinion, has made him.  Loren, 26, was drafted by the Texas Rangers but returned to high school baseball rather than turn professional.

“Being drafted in 2003 was amazing. It was a humbling and surreal feeling. Especially after being cut my freshman year and almost quitting baseball in general. However I’ve always been counted out in my life. Just took it as another challenge. God is good.”

Loren’s positivity oozes from him but I wanted to explore if his decisions were weighing on him.  Unsurprisingly, the 6 foot 3 inch tall Southern Californian shows his sunny side.  On having regrets, Loren was frank but positive.

“That would be not signing out of high school and taking my chances as a raw professional. Of course being 17 and drafted college for one year at a JC was the plan, a draft to follow. As you can see I am still grinding to wake up major league baseball’s eyes. I’ll be awaiting my opportunities though. I’m not a quitter and I belong in the show!”

In his quest to make it to the ‘bigs’, Loren has played for teams as far away as Oklahoma (Seminole State College) to get noticed by MLB teams.  He has met many players that have realized the dream and I was interested in who Loren could call teammates.

“I played with Vinnie Pestano (Cleveland Indians) and Mark Trumbo (LA Angels) along with Andrew Romine (LA Angels); we were on the O.C. Shockers together. Also, Jeremy Hefner (New York Mets) played with him in Seminole, Oklahoma. Along with so many players from my southern California area – baseball is golden in SoCal!”

There are many minor league players that are scrapping, like Loren, for a spot on a MLB team.  Lot of players will have a similar skill level but Loren needs to do something different to differentiate himself from others.

“Hard work, persistence, Leadership, passion, and of course talent. I consider myself a 5 tool player who can do it ALL. From speed to power. I’ll do whatever it takes to receive opportunities. I will not quit. Baseball is what I was born to do. I’m a natural born leader.”

Obviously, ‘A Whole New Ball Game’ is about experiencing major league baseball.  My articles have been based on seeing MLB from fresh eyes.  I asked Loren if he had any advice for me.

“Enjoy the game. Baseball is the ultimate team sport in my opinion. Recommend going to the ballpark and just experiencing a baseball game, if affordable, you’ll thank me later.”

Being an armchair critic is one thing, but having a more expert view is important.  Now the season is getting down to the sharp end, I wondered how the ‘professional’ view differed to mine.  Despite no mention of my Rays at all plus mentioning our bitter AL East rivals, Loren’s end of season predictions were hard to argue against.

“Every year I want to say New York Yankees just off the clubhouse alone and the names in it. On paper, however, you can look like gold. After the recent Dodgers moves, if they can find the pitching I can see them taking it all this year. Don’t sleep on Texas though, they are very hungry.”

Moving on, I wanted to know which ones that Loren admired most.

“Jackie Robinson, and Ken Griffey Jr. Jackie obviously because he broke the colour barrier for the game of baseball. Without him, I wouldn’t even be playing this great game. Ken Griffey had, probably, the sweetest swing ever in the game. My favourite player of all time; loved his happiness and passion for the game. He played full out every night. Definitely admire those two baseball players.”

To finish off, I wanted to know what made Loren keep going to the batting cages and ball parks to fulfil his dream.  It’s been a rocky road so far so I wasn’t surprised that he had a mantra to keep focus.

“I always say to myself ‘history in the making’ because I truly believe that. It keeps me going every day. I have a lot more to make it for than just myself.”

I truly hope that we see Loren Deans in Major League Baseball one day.  If Golden Gloves were given for determination, then Loren would already have many.  He seems to be a character that you’d want in your organization for spirit alone. Based on my conversations with Loren, it’s only fitting that the interview finishes with Loren’s positivity.

“You’ll see me on a major league roster eventually. I am a diamond in the rough that will make some organization very happy.”