Ryan Westmoreland Inches Closer To Recovery And A Miracle

Ryan Westmoreland playing for the Lowell Spinners

Regardless of the outcome, the next time Ryan Westmoreland steps into the batter’s box will be a vctory.

The Sox prospect underwent brain surgey in March to remove a cavernous malformation–basically, unwanted matter attached to his brain stem.  Even more basically: very, very bad news.

But yesterday, Westmoreland spoke to the media about his on-going recovery.  He was buoyed by his improving health, and in this outstanding piece from the Providence Journal’s Daniel Barbarisi, says he still harbors dreams of playing at Fenway.

Baseball is the most individually challenging of team sports and personal mental ability is as prized in a baseball player as most physical attributes are in athletes of other bents.   As this terrific piece from SI details, baseball is a mental game.

Westmoreland is only 20 years old and, thanks to life-saving brain surgery, has the rest of his life to lead.  That in itself is incredible.  Should he ever suit up for the Sox, that would be a miracle.

While Westmoreland still has a long way to go in his recovery, and his physical gifts will need major improvement, there’s no question that he won’t be lacking the important mental fortitude it takes to play baseball for a living.

Again, the two great reads:

ProJo on Westmoreland’s recovery

SI on mental illness in baseball

Tags: Miracles, Ryan Westmoreland