MLB.com Profiles My Last Year
I feel a little weird linking to a story about myself, but since so many of you were so supportive over the last nine months or so, I think you may enjoy this story about how I got diagnosed with leukemia mixed in with a bit of the backstory behind my life. Doug Miller spent a lot of time talking with my parents, my brother, my wife, and some friends of mine to get their perspective on my situation and to share stories and pictures that I never planned on making public.
But, I’m hopeful that the story will help others. Amy and I decided to publicly live through our fight, not really knowing where it would take us, because we wanted to try and be an example of how you can have hope in situations that don’t offer a lot of it. If you get anything from this story, I’d like it to be that – regardless of what kind of circumstance you find yourself in, there’s always a reason for hope.
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34 Responses to “MLB.com Profiles My Last Year”
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Wow Dave, Great read. I am go back to the first time I started reading your blog, and I think I felt like 14-year-old “Richard” when first introduced to sabremetrics — I wanted to know who this moron was writing thing this blog.
But, instead of calling me out for making stupid comments, you simply pointed me to literature for research. That made all the difference.
Really great piece. Nice to learn a little more about your background too, Dave.
Well, one of the great things about the internet is the ability to read this blog. One of the other great things about the internet is the ability for people to share stories, even painful ones, that can be immensely useful to others experiencing similar issues. You don’t have to be a great writer to do so, but you do have to be courageous. Thanks for being a part of our lives!
Oh- SeaTac, huh? Coincidentally, I lived there also, but just in the summer of ’91.
Fantastic story — great to read about your personal story, as well as the origins of this fantastic blog. I loved the part about how you and DMZ first met.
Funny that Range Factor hated Griffey’s defense in 1995, but TZ rated him as a +14 CF for that season.
It’s difficult to imagine going through such a thing personally or with a loved one. Thanks for posting this, Dave, and giving us a breif inside to what it’s all about. Congrats on your victory and thanks a ton for all you do for us diehard M’s fans. Being a Mariners fan wouldn’t be the same without you.
Thanks for sharing that with us, Dave.
Great story – keep on keeping on!
“The word God wrote on every person’s forehead is Hope.” Goethe
Taking all the fear, worry, pain, anger, uncertainty, etc. that you must have felt at the time, and then saying “but it’s beatable”, must also be a good part of the recovery process as well. It is a very commendable way to handle such a life-changing event.
Good on you for wanting to give hope to others.
Congrats again on your recovery and continued good health.
keep up the fight Dave!
I’m thankful that you posted this and even more thankful for your recovery. Glad to be able to share the article with my family as well so that they can understand more about this perspective on baseball. Now, about Olivo . . .
Thanks for the link…great article! I was amazed to see past posts mentioned that I was around here for, and realized how long I have actually been hanging around USSM. Thanks to Dave and all the rest of the folks who run this joint.
Very interesting story. Brought back good Mariner memories. Glad you’re doing so well.
It’s always great to hear stories about how people began buying into advanced metrics. I remember posting the same arguments when I was 15.
Looking up old newsgroup posts is good for you. really lets you see how much you’ve learned.
Anyhow, great read, Dave. So glad you and Amy are enjoying normalcy again.
Heh, that “no morons” quote of Derek was pure DMZ, I can envision him writing exactly that.
I never read that alt.mariners group (I’d just occasionally visit rec.sport.baseball) … I’d always assumed that those groups were unmoderated, but the article describes Derek as the “system operator” of the group.
Hmm, Sea-Tac. I grew up in Renton, which manages to be even less chic than Sea-Tac.
I’ve even been to Banner Elk, went a couple of years ago with friends who like to stay in B&Bs and hike around the Appalachians and drive the Blue Ridge Parkway around Valle Crucis, Blowing Rock, etc. Yeah, lots of waterfalls there, usually not as big or tall as the ones in WA though.
Dave –
I think it’s fair to say that you’ve changed how many Mariners fans view baseball. You certainly changed how I view it and I thank you deeply.
What a great write-up.
-Z
D you actually look good bald. Better maybe. Wish I could say that much.
Great article, great story! Congratulations, and God Bless!
Awesome stuff, Dave. It’s great to see your story getting wider coverage like this. We’ve come a long way since “STATHEADS! WHAT DO YOU THINK?” 🙂
Great read…I never much cared for the statistical side of things…but being a part of the ussmariner community has changed that. Thanks Dave, keep winning the battle!
I smell upcoming movie deal! I remember the open letter to Chaves like it was yesterday. I’ve never met you Dave, but I feel like I know you if that makes sense. Glad your doing well!
Brent
I’ve been reading USSM since the earliest days, after liking DMZ’s contributions to BP, and following him here. I remain mostly unqualified to make reasonable comments on baseball here (which makes me overqualified for virtually every other baseball comment forum)… but I enjoy the site immensely, enjoy baseball more because of the site, and really enjoyed that story, Dave.
I’m glad it’s in remission, and hope to read your stuff for years more.
Great story Dave. Thank you for allowing it to be published.
Thanks for sharing this. And great to see DMZ and JMB appear (Guys, you’re being missed, here).
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you that this stays in remission for good.
PS: I hadn’t seen most of the appearances on mlb.com. Could you post links to them in the future, even if they’re about Mariano Rivera or Troy Tulowitzki.
I’m rooting for you, Dave. Thanks for sharing the story.
What a fantastic story. Baseball is statistics, but the human element sometimes overwhelms the data. And that is what makes baseball such a wonderful game: it is a microcosm of life. Thank you, Dave, for sharing the human element. It makes reading your analysis of any particular thing much richer. I pray for your continued health and enjoyment of this adventure called life.
Thank you for sharing the link to your very heartwarming and inspiring story. I will continue to pray for you and your family and the all good things God has in store for you.
The more people know about you, the more it means to them.
Really great story(stories)! The best part, is that there is no ending… you’re still here, and we’re all grateful!
Great to finally see who you are, Dave!
Thanks so much for sharing your story and hope. So, when is our next Safeco event?
I only came across this website a few years ago, so it was good to read a bit of the history. Puts a lot of things in perspective when you know a little bit about the person who is writing it.
Also, I appreciate that you were willing to put this out there. I certainly understand the desire for a bit of privacy in the midst of a somewhat public profession. You might not be in front of a lot of people all the time, but at least your words are read by many. It says more about who you are than any of the statistical insights or rants you’ve ever posted that you were willing to sacrifice a bit of that privacy because it might provide hope to someone else who must face this struggle. May you find the strength to continue to be such an inspiration.
Thanks for sharing, Dave – I probably would have missed the article otherwise. And thanks for being willing to be open with your story… I’ve watched too many people lose to cancer – including my dad at the age of 49 – too often it feels like a simply hopeless diagnosis. So I appreciate your attitude and example, and the reminder that there’s always hope. God bless you and your family, and I plan on reading your work for a long time.
Dave, what is it like to read a mini-biography about yourself? I’ve never known anyone who’s had one written on them.