The Inspiring Journey of a 31-Year-Old Carpenter Who Made His MLB Debut Despite Injuries
Follow the story of Cam Booser, a former carpenter who never gave up on his baseball dreams, even after facing challenges and setbacks. Discover how his resilience and determination led him to finally achieve his goal of playing for the Boston Red Sox.
Even though Cam Booser left baseball in 2017 due to injuries and setbacks, he still thought about the game daily.
The 31-year-old relief pitcher recently made his MLB debut after a challenging journey. He was called up by the Boston Red Sox and became the franchise's oldest player to debut in the US since 1947.
Booser's career faced setbacks right from the beginning due to a series of injuries. It all started with a broken femur from playing football and a broken vertebra from lifting weights in high school. Then, during his freshman year at Oregon State, he had to undergo a Tommy John surgery, which ended his college baseball career after pitching only 11 innings in Division 1, as reported by CNN affiliate WBZ.
Despite these challenges, the Minnesota Twins signed Booser as an undrafted free agent in 2013. However, fate dealt another blow when he was hit by a car two years later, breaking his back while still recovering from surgery for a torn labrum.
Booser had endured a series of injuries and setbacks before his MLB debut.
Booser had endured a series of injuries and setbacks before his MLB debut.
Charles LeClaire/USA Today Sports/Reuters
In 2015, he was suspended for 50 games for testing positive for marijuana, according to MLB.com, and after the 2017 season stepped back from baseball.
After working as a carpenter for four years, Booser found a passion for coaching youth baseball. Being back in the game reignited his love for baseball, and he discovered he could throw high 90s without any pain.
"I never thought about making a comeback until I started coaching," Booser shared with MLB. "Being around the game pulled me back in. I couldn't stay away from it."
That summer, he was signed by the Chicago Dogs of the American Association. He quickly impressed other teams as well, leading to his eventual call-up to the Red Sox.
On Friday, Booser stepped onto the field for the Red Sox with his family watching from the stands. Before heading to the mound, where he pitched the ninth inning, he took a moment to compose himself. He ended the game with one strikeout and allowed one earned run in his team's 8-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
After the game, he found himself sitting by himself on a bench, feeling overwhelmed with emotion as his teammates walked by and gave him pats on the back.
When asked by reporters, he expressed, "This is definitely the highlight of my career. It's a moment that will stay with me forever."
Editor's P/S:
Cam Booser's perseverance is an inspiration to anyone who has ever faced adversity. Despite being plagued by a series of injuries and setbacks, he never gave up on his dream of playing professional baseball. His determination and resilience are a testament to the power of the human spirit.
Booser's story also highlights the importance of having a strong support system. His family and coaches never stopped believing in him, even when things were tough. Their support gave him the strength to keep going when all hope seemed lost. It is important to remember that we are not alone in our struggles and that there are always people who care about us and want to help us succeed.
