Congrats to Rocco!

Rocco sporting the hockey playoff beard.

Rocco Baldelli has been dealing with issues that few medical professionals have been able to diagnose and fewer people have been able to comprehend. As previously mentioned, Rocco has been dealing with a mitochondrial disorder that leaves him fatigued and weary after simple activities. To deal with the condition Rocco bypasses team exercises such as batting practice. After a stint in the minors to begin his comeback, Rocco made his 2008 MLB debut against the Seattle Mariners on August 10th. He has made two starts in RF and two as DH as the Rays outfield has been decimated by Carl Crawford's hand injury.

But tonight, Rocco's officially made it all the way back.

Rhode Island's favorite son hit a solo home run off reliever Octavio Dotel during the Rays' as-expected 9-4 ass-whooping of the White Sox tonight in Chicago. Baldelli turned Dotel's second pitch, a 92 mph fastball into the seats to lead off the 8th inning. He went 2-4 with 2 runs scored as the DH. The home run was in his 19th at bat since returning to the major leagues for the first time since May of 2007.

In a special season for a team of destiny on a spectacular journey from 'Worst to First', the Baldelli story is another wonderful chapter in the inevitable book I will eventually feel obliged to write.

Due to his mitochondrial disorder, simple exercises leave Rocco drained and fatigued

Congrats to Rocco. He's a good dude. He's dealt with this adversity on top of several years marred by injury with class and dignity and refused to give up. Maybe it's the magic of the Rays' 2008 season, maybe it's "9=8", perhaps it's the relationship the team forged with recently deceased, uber-inspirational Pennsylvania teenager John Challis' mantra "Courage + Believe = Life".

Whatever the reason, let inspiration flow where it may and enjoy the journey of life one day at a time... and for today - Rocco went yard!!!

KelsdadAll-Star

444 days ago

Score 5

Dear Rocco,

Congratulations on your fine performance tonight. I have always respected your ability as a player, and hope you will consider a move to the Pacific Northwest when deciding on your employer for next year. My current employer has a policy against facial hair, (not that what your wearing counts as such), that is their rule, not mine. You can play in a facking tutu for all I care, long as you play a kickass outfield and hit .300.

Give me a call after the season, we'll meet at Starbucks and chat.

Sincerely,

Brian Cashman

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

444 days ago

Score 0

Holy shit that was great, KD!!!

It make me think you're just angling for the Yankees GM job, but that was fan-freeking-tastic!

Obviously, Rocco is as good as gone and this is audition/retribution time for him. It's awesome that he gets to join in on the fun, at least. But his timing couldn't be better! Still another 4-5 weeks before C.C. returns... =(

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Cornfed78Draft Pick

444 days ago

Score 2

Way to go Rocco!!!

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KelsdadAll-Star

444 days ago

Score 2

And if I get it, I have the perfect job for you already. If the Rays are smart, you won't see Crawford til spring training.

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AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity

444 days ago

Score 2

Abusive cotton candy vendor?

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

444 days ago

Score 0

Crawford will be fine in due time. It's his right hand (he's left handed) plus the rest time has given him the opportunity to get his nagging leg rested.

If the job is going back and writing the word "don't" in between every place I wrote "Yankees" and "suck", there's not enough money (or time) in the world.

If it's 'Designated Beer Chugger'? Have your people call my people...

ASD - the day I willingly accept a vending job in the Bronx is the day after my frontal lobotomy was also an accidental posterior lobotomy... unless I get to switch fiberglass insulation for the cotton candy, of course.... EVIL!

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AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity

444 days ago

Score 0

Maybe running the Instant Replay Machine with Tony Tarasco? Oh wait, is that going to be playoffs only?

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RomiezzoLegend

443 days ago

Score 2

Rocco rocks!

I remember Rocco Baldelli being one of my favorite players. To see him recover from such a devestating disorder and then have the strength and perseverence to come back and send a message that he can do it is just unreal.

I hope Rocco gets the recognition he deserves right now and later on in his career. This truly is another chapter (probably one of the best parts) in one of the best baseball stories in recent memory.

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Manny StilesMajor Leaguer

443 days ago

Score 3

And ESPN didn't say a WORD about it last night. MLB.com has no video highlights and even FSN failed to mention it. How does "BIG MEDIA" miss this? Because it happened in the 8th inning and the lazy writers and numbnutted stringers already had their bylines written and were on their way home instead of being the good storytellers they should be!

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AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity

443 days ago

Score 0

William Rhoden gives your comment two thumbs up.

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RomiezzoLegend

443 days ago

Score 0

That's absolutely ridiculous, Stiles. They didn't show it on ESPN? (I'm sorry, I haven't watched TV in [I think] 3 days.) At least mlb.com (probably the most relieving baseball site when it comes to mentioning stuff) mentioned it. Almost 15 months and neither ESPN nor FSN said anything!

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AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity

443 days ago

Score 2

The de-evolution of mainstream "sports" coverage has to be close to the breaking point. ESPN has slowly eroded from Must See TV men subconsciously defaulted to (including multiple Sportscenter re-runs), to a network that is no longer destination, unless games are on. The same can be said for web coverage. Deadspin used to be a default destination, but now has the feel of Perez Hilton in shoulderpads. Too many people are in the business that don't love the games (see Joe Buck). It has made for lazy reporting, slack analysis, and a considerably worse product.

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RomiezzoLegend

443 days ago

Score 2

Joe Buck has made entertaining and exciting baseball games sound like we're watching the 6th hole of a round of golf. Not much enthusiasm... (sorry if I offending all those golf watching fans). People like him actually make me want to light a match under his ass so that he could express some emotion.

"And it's a high fly ball to center field and Rocco Baldelli makes the catch.

• lights match* AND THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT'S THE BALLGAME!"

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AmphibiousSportsDuoVarsity

443 days ago

Score 2

Buck's Bachelorette comments pained me. His dad was a grinder that loved the game, and Joe got fast tracked because of his name. The result is a lack of appreciation for the games he calls and while the average person might not catch it, it's apparent to fans.

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RomiezzoLegend

443 days ago

Score 1

I ordered the 2007 ALCS not too long ago (because I wasn't able to watch it live). Buck and McCarver were announcing the game. Many people (both here and outside of AGM) told me that they didn't do well at ALL announcing the games. I saw the games myself, and I had to agree. Sometimes, people don't appreciate what they witness first hand... or at least don't express it. And when you don't express it at all, the fans WILL notice... which is why he has a bad rep for announcing.

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RomiezzoLegend

442 days ago

Score 1

Another homer for Rocco tonight! What a story this is...

#5	This user is a fan of the Woonsocket Rocket.

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