A blind MLB pitcher is about to take Spring Training by storm. His name is Juan Sandoval and at 32 years of age, you'd think he was too old to make a roster. However, Sandoval will try to make the team at this age and will only do it with a functioning left eye.
He takes the mound with thick dark baseball glasses that look completely tinted, but Sandoval isn't afraid to let people know what happened. He's a normal guy if you ask him.
At age 26, while at a bar, a man shot at the bouncer and the bullets remnants ricocheted directly into Sandoval's right eye and permanently blinded Sandoval.
This might seem tough for many to get over, how could he pitch with just one eye? For Sandoval, it was just a test. He's been playing baseball all his life and having just one eye was not going to stop him from continuing his dreams.
Six years after this accident, Sandoval had to relearn the simple things, taking grounders, catching a throwback from a catcher, which is routine for a pitcher in the process of a game and Sandoval also took time to learn how to hit once again.
It was a tough process, but now Sandoval has the chance of joining the Rays in the regular season. What other manager could a guy like Sandoval prefer than Joe Maddon? He's unique in his style of managing and thinks outside the box. Having Sandoval in his rotation is no big deal.
When asked about the possibility of Sandoval playing in the majors, Maddon responded, "I haven't seen anything that would suggest to me he would not be able to do this. It's interesting to observe."
That should be one hell of a motivator for a guy like Sandoval. He's bounced around the league after being signed by the Seattle Mariners back in 2000 at the age of 19.
This past winter, Sandoval spent his winter in the Mexican league. He went 7-3 with a 2.97 ERA in 48 games and 69.2 innings pitched. Sandoval only gave up two home runs that entire season.
It will be interesting to see if Sandoval can make the Rays bullpen. They have their pitching rotation set, but having extra arms in the bullpen can't hurt them. Sandoval will be a great story that can motivate the Rays as they get ready to compete in a tough A.L. East division.
Sandoval was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the home of many great baseball pitchers like Pedro Martinez and Juan Marichal.
