No, Matt Bush is not part of a presidential family nor a Forney family, at least not one of which I know. I do know that he is a recently “turned” 35-years-old man, who has a recently born daughter, his first child, and he is a LONGSHOT…..and for more than one reason!
He, and other Texas Rangers team members, have recently been in Peoria, Arizona, doing what I would love to be doing—preparing for the upcoming major league baseball season and trying to win a spot on a “needy” pitching staff. You might be a little jealous of his position (I would have played baseball for peanuts or less!), but don’t be too quick to envy him. Let me divulge a few details and hard facts; then you decide!
He was born in San Diego in 1986 and was drafted with the first pick in the 2004 Major League Draft by the Padres. He had played soccer, baseball, and track in high school and was a shortstop, pitcher (0.73 E. R. A.), and excellent hitter (.450 batting average).
He was drafted to be a shortstop and expected to be another “A-Rod.”
He is “chasing another comeback”—certainly not his first!
His last pitch in the major leagues was in 2018.
He has had at least two elbow surgeries.
He has suffered addictions and incarcerations!
He has broken his ankle and torn a ligament in his pitching elbow (Tommy John surgery and rehab).
His fastball has dwindled just a little, but is still in the 93—94 m.p.h. range.
His curve ball has sometimes let him down in the past, but so far this spring it has broken and “behaved” better!
Matt Bush has a great reason to continue his comeback, even against long odds—He says that “I Love This Game!” He says he has always had the desire, the ability, and the drive and has never lost what some people never had to lose— the “never quit, never say die” mentality!
He is at an “advanced” age for a baseball player, much less an almost “beginning” baseball player, but he wants to stay around this game he loves for as long as he can!
He went to camp, invited as a NON-ROSTER player, which usually is a spot for a younger guy, who might be invited back towards the end of the season if he does well in the minors.
Matt does not look at it that way. He knows the Rangers are short on pitchers, especially ones with experience and “big league stuff.” Bush has both— with his 90+ m.p.h. fastball and his nearly 140 major league relief appearances.
But, he is also realistic enough to know that he may be running out of options. As I write this article a little before 1:00 a. m. on March 17, the “breaking news” that has just come across the “news” area of my computer says that MATT BUSH is still with the Rangers and seems to have a decent chance of making the Opening Day Roster.
I am “rooting” for him for many reasons, but mostly three—(1) He is an “old guy” as far as baseball is concerned, and I can identify with being in that position now that I will admit to my students that I am not “46.” (2) He seems to be sincerely repentant of past mistakes and really giving it his all to succeed and not asking for any “easy ways out.” (3) He has a wife and child who need him to succeed for his sake and for theirs.
Go, MATT!
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