GaryMrMets
06-02-2005, 02:05 PM
Charleston's Braden overcomes childhood accident that cost him an eye
By PETE IACOBELLI
.c The Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - When College of Charleston right-hander Wes Braden takes the mound, he's no different from the other pitchers in this year's NCAA tournament. He looks over his shoulder, surveying everything in sight to make sure his opponents don't try to take an extra step away from the base.
And not for one second does he feel he's at a disadvantage because of a childhood accident that cost him his right eye.
``I'm like the same way you are,'' Braden said simply. ``I don't look at it like a disability or as something to keep me from playing.''
And neither do the Cougars (47-13), seeded second in the Clemson regional this weekend.
Charleston coach John Pawlowski remembers when recruiting coordinator Scott Foxhall first told him about Braden's condition. ``When you saw him pitch can you tell? Is there any reason why he can't play at this level?'' Pawlowski asked.
When Foxhall said no, ``That was the end of it,'' Pawlowski said.
Braden, a junior college transfer, has had a strong first season with Charleston, going 4-0 with a 5.23 earned run average in 12 starts.
That's a long way from what could have been after Braden's accident. He recalls riding bikes with friends in Sarasota, Fla., as a 5-year-old when he tripped over a scooter. Braden said the scooter's brake caught him close to his right eye.
When his mother, Cecilia, rushed out to check, Braden remembers her saying, ``Ooh, we have to go to the hospital.'' He replied with the voice of child eager to keep playing, ``No.''
They went to the hospital, but there was no salvaging the eye. After several surgeries over the next year, Braden was fitted with a false eye - sort of like a protective contact that Braden must clean - and his adjustment began.
It took a while to deal with harsh sunlight, he said. But like most spirited, athletic boys, Braden was soon back to biking, running and playing his beloved sport of baseball.
``I never missed a year of anything,'' he said, proudly.
His biggest hurdle, he said, may have been the worries of others, like his mother, that Braden was only a ricocheted paper clip or errantly thrown pencil away from being blind. He wore protective glasses in grade school and athletic goggles for his first couple of ball games in high school. Soon, though, Braden ditched those devices.
As he went through school and games without anything disastrous happening, his family's fears eased, Braden said.
Braden played well enough in high school that he was taken by the San Francisco Giants in the 45th round of the 2003 major league draft.
``I wonder if the club even knew,'' Pawlowski said.
He went on to Manatee Community College in Florida and had a 17-4 record in two years there, attracting the attention of Charleston.
Braden monitors runners as well as anybody, Pawlowski said.
``There aren't any blind spots,'' Braden said. ``If I have to look at a runner, I can turn my head and see a runner. That's not a problem.''
Braden hopes for a pro career. He got a letter last fall from the St. Louis Cardinals.
``He's got arm strength, he's got make up,'' Pawlowski said. ``He's just got to put the package together.''
Pawlowski dares anyone to notice how losing his eye has affected the way he plays the game. Braden doesn't shy away from balls thrown to or hit at him, Pawlowski said.
A few feet from Braden, the false eye looks real, the eyeball tracking in unison with his left one.
Braden said he keeps his condition to himself unless asked, though he adds that he doesn't try to hide it.
Pawlowski said Cougar players didn't learn about Braden's accident and its aftermath until midway through fall practice.
``At first, they were a little shocked,'' Braden said.
As time went on, Braden says his teammates have even laughed with him about it, nicknaming him ``Captain Ron'' after Kurt Russell's eye-patch wearing charter boat skipper on the big screen. ``
I don't take offense,'' he said, ``I joke around with it too, sometimes.''
So Braden lives a mostly normal life. He has a notation on his driver's license requiring the vehicle he operates to have two mirrors, but that's about it as far as lifestyle changes, Braden said.
He will take a few precautions, though.
``If I'm mowing the yard or something, I'll wear glasses,'' Braden said. ``I'm not stupid.''
06/01/05 17:45 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
By PETE IACOBELLI
.c The Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - When College of Charleston right-hander Wes Braden takes the mound, he's no different from the other pitchers in this year's NCAA tournament. He looks over his shoulder, surveying everything in sight to make sure his opponents don't try to take an extra step away from the base.
And not for one second does he feel he's at a disadvantage because of a childhood accident that cost him his right eye.
``I'm like the same way you are,'' Braden said simply. ``I don't look at it like a disability or as something to keep me from playing.''
And neither do the Cougars (47-13), seeded second in the Clemson regional this weekend.
Charleston coach John Pawlowski remembers when recruiting coordinator Scott Foxhall first told him about Braden's condition. ``When you saw him pitch can you tell? Is there any reason why he can't play at this level?'' Pawlowski asked.
When Foxhall said no, ``That was the end of it,'' Pawlowski said.
Braden, a junior college transfer, has had a strong first season with Charleston, going 4-0 with a 5.23 earned run average in 12 starts.
That's a long way from what could have been after Braden's accident. He recalls riding bikes with friends in Sarasota, Fla., as a 5-year-old when he tripped over a scooter. Braden said the scooter's brake caught him close to his right eye.
When his mother, Cecilia, rushed out to check, Braden remembers her saying, ``Ooh, we have to go to the hospital.'' He replied with the voice of child eager to keep playing, ``No.''
They went to the hospital, but there was no salvaging the eye. After several surgeries over the next year, Braden was fitted with a false eye - sort of like a protective contact that Braden must clean - and his adjustment began.
It took a while to deal with harsh sunlight, he said. But like most spirited, athletic boys, Braden was soon back to biking, running and playing his beloved sport of baseball.
``I never missed a year of anything,'' he said, proudly.
His biggest hurdle, he said, may have been the worries of others, like his mother, that Braden was only a ricocheted paper clip or errantly thrown pencil away from being blind. He wore protective glasses in grade school and athletic goggles for his first couple of ball games in high school. Soon, though, Braden ditched those devices.
As he went through school and games without anything disastrous happening, his family's fears eased, Braden said.
Braden played well enough in high school that he was taken by the San Francisco Giants in the 45th round of the 2003 major league draft.
``I wonder if the club even knew,'' Pawlowski said.
He went on to Manatee Community College in Florida and had a 17-4 record in two years there, attracting the attention of Charleston.
Braden monitors runners as well as anybody, Pawlowski said.
``There aren't any blind spots,'' Braden said. ``If I have to look at a runner, I can turn my head and see a runner. That's not a problem.''
Braden hopes for a pro career. He got a letter last fall from the St. Louis Cardinals.
``He's got arm strength, he's got make up,'' Pawlowski said. ``He's just got to put the package together.''
Pawlowski dares anyone to notice how losing his eye has affected the way he plays the game. Braden doesn't shy away from balls thrown to or hit at him, Pawlowski said.
A few feet from Braden, the false eye looks real, the eyeball tracking in unison with his left one.
Braden said he keeps his condition to himself unless asked, though he adds that he doesn't try to hide it.
Pawlowski said Cougar players didn't learn about Braden's accident and its aftermath until midway through fall practice.
``At first, they were a little shocked,'' Braden said.
As time went on, Braden says his teammates have even laughed with him about it, nicknaming him ``Captain Ron'' after Kurt Russell's eye-patch wearing charter boat skipper on the big screen. ``
I don't take offense,'' he said, ``I joke around with it too, sometimes.''
So Braden lives a mostly normal life. He has a notation on his driver's license requiring the vehicle he operates to have two mirrors, but that's about it as far as lifestyle changes, Braden said.
He will take a few precautions, though.
``If I'm mowing the yard or something, I'll wear glasses,'' Braden said. ``I'm not stupid.''
06/01/05 17:45 EDT
Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.