Durango53
04-11-2005, 12:52 PM
MINNEAPOLIS -- When Tony Stevens signed up for the Marines three years ago, his listed occupation was probably not something a recruiter would notice too often.
Stevens was a Minor League shortstop for the Twins' Double-A affiliate in New Britain. He turned in his glove and baseball uniform for a rifle and military fatigues. Instead of taking trips on a bus around the Eastern League, he began riding in Humvees around some hazardous spots in Iraq.
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a family history of military service -- his father and grandfather are veterans -- prompted Stevens to retire from baseball and join the Marines in April 2002.
"Everything just came together," said Stevens, who lives south of Gainesville, Fla., with wife Sarah.
Three years and two tours of Iraq later, the 26-year-old has fully transitioned from shortstop to lance corporal. If he took his life for granted before, he isn't now.
"You get over there and you dig your own fighting hole and get in," Stevens said. "It makes Minor League baseball seem like the big leagues."
The Twins honored Stevens' service to the country before Sunday's game vs. the White Sox by having him throw a ceremonial first pitch. He also took batting practice in the team's uniform Saturday and Sunday.
Serving with the first battalion, second Marines division, Stevens has survived 10 bomb blasts since Aug. 8, 2004, and, according to military records and information, no other Marine has encountered more than eight. His days were often spent trying to avoid improvised explosive devices in the Sunni Triangle, also known as "The Triangle of Death."
On occasion, Stevens found some respite and saw Twins games on television.
"It's fun to watch them," he said. "I try as much as I can. If there's a Twins game on, I try to catch it. There's probably 10 or 15 guys here I played with."
Among his former teammates in the Twins farm system were Michael Cuddyer, Grant Balfour, Juan Rincon and Lew Ford.
"We were both in [Class A] Fort Myers, on the Miracle," Ford said. "Then we both got called up the same day to Double-A. We were 1-2 batters in the order in Double-A."
Stevens and Ford were staying together the winter before Stevens joined the Marines. Ford said he didn't expect the decision.
"After the 2001 season, he actually came and was living with us for a little while in Dallas," Ford said. "We were working out and throwing, lifting weights and running, getting ready for Spring Training. Then I guess he decided to do it right before Spring Training. He just felt that's what he wanted to do with his life."
Stevens was a 30th-round pick of the Twins in 1997. Although he was a solid defensive player, his chances of reaching the Major Leagues were considered marginal. But at least he was playing, and you never know -- was there chance he would make it? It's not something he dwells on.
"I wouldn't change anything I've done," said Stevens, who has been in the U.S. since February. He is scheduled to return to active duty again in November.
"I enjoyed every second of being in the organization," he said. "But as far as any regrets about not knowing if I could have made it or not -- no."
Stevens still found his way to the Metrodome this weekend, just not how he ever imagined.
"It shows a lot about the Twins organization, that they remember somebody from Double-A," Stevens said. "That shows a lot of character of the organization."
http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/attachment.php?attachmentid=2071
I went to Wyoming Cavalry game Friday night (National Indoor Football League) and half way though the game they said a lady from Casper was back from Iraq and the crowd cheered for about 5 minutes where they had to stop the game for it.
I love these stories just because I went though it and know what it is like and I will always salute those who take there time and honor and show there bravery to serve this country.
Stevens was a Minor League shortstop for the Twins' Double-A affiliate in New Britain. He turned in his glove and baseball uniform for a rifle and military fatigues. Instead of taking trips on a bus around the Eastern League, he began riding in Humvees around some hazardous spots in Iraq.
The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and a family history of military service -- his father and grandfather are veterans -- prompted Stevens to retire from baseball and join the Marines in April 2002.
"Everything just came together," said Stevens, who lives south of Gainesville, Fla., with wife Sarah.
Three years and two tours of Iraq later, the 26-year-old has fully transitioned from shortstop to lance corporal. If he took his life for granted before, he isn't now.
"You get over there and you dig your own fighting hole and get in," Stevens said. "It makes Minor League baseball seem like the big leagues."
The Twins honored Stevens' service to the country before Sunday's game vs. the White Sox by having him throw a ceremonial first pitch. He also took batting practice in the team's uniform Saturday and Sunday.
Serving with the first battalion, second Marines division, Stevens has survived 10 bomb blasts since Aug. 8, 2004, and, according to military records and information, no other Marine has encountered more than eight. His days were often spent trying to avoid improvised explosive devices in the Sunni Triangle, also known as "The Triangle of Death."
On occasion, Stevens found some respite and saw Twins games on television.
"It's fun to watch them," he said. "I try as much as I can. If there's a Twins game on, I try to catch it. There's probably 10 or 15 guys here I played with."
Among his former teammates in the Twins farm system were Michael Cuddyer, Grant Balfour, Juan Rincon and Lew Ford.
"We were both in [Class A] Fort Myers, on the Miracle," Ford said. "Then we both got called up the same day to Double-A. We were 1-2 batters in the order in Double-A."
Stevens and Ford were staying together the winter before Stevens joined the Marines. Ford said he didn't expect the decision.
"After the 2001 season, he actually came and was living with us for a little while in Dallas," Ford said. "We were working out and throwing, lifting weights and running, getting ready for Spring Training. Then I guess he decided to do it right before Spring Training. He just felt that's what he wanted to do with his life."
Stevens was a 30th-round pick of the Twins in 1997. Although he was a solid defensive player, his chances of reaching the Major Leagues were considered marginal. But at least he was playing, and you never know -- was there chance he would make it? It's not something he dwells on.
"I wouldn't change anything I've done," said Stevens, who has been in the U.S. since February. He is scheduled to return to active duty again in November.
"I enjoyed every second of being in the organization," he said. "But as far as any regrets about not knowing if I could have made it or not -- no."
Stevens still found his way to the Metrodome this weekend, just not how he ever imagined.
"It shows a lot about the Twins organization, that they remember somebody from Double-A," Stevens said. "That shows a lot of character of the organization."
http://www.addictsports.com/baseball/attachment.php?attachmentid=2071
I went to Wyoming Cavalry game Friday night (National Indoor Football League) and half way though the game they said a lady from Casper was back from Iraq and the crowd cheered for about 5 minutes where they had to stop the game for it.
I love these stories just because I went though it and know what it is like and I will always salute those who take there time and honor and show there bravery to serve this country.