Amputee Daniel Jacobs, an Iraq war vet, gets tryout with Tigers
Lots of kids grow up dreaming about playing baseball in the big leagues, including Daniel “Doc” Jacobs. But his path to a big-league tryout was far different than most.
Jacobs, an Iraq war veteran, lost his left leg, a few toes on his right foot and three fingers on his left hand in 2006 after an improvised explosive device blew up under his Humvee. Athletics played a big role in Jacobs’ rehab, and that led to a tryout Monday with the Tigers.
Though he was surrounded by former college players and minor leaguers, the 29-year-old Jacobs wasn’t intimidated, writes MLB.com’s Jason Beck.
“Nine years ago, I was laying in a hospital bed in Bethesda, [Md.],” Jacobs said. “I’m just blessed to be here. Any day you can get out and play baseball is a good day, right?”
Jacobs currently plays in a college summer league, so it’s not as if he was out of practice. Still, in order to stay fresh before the tryout, Jacobs worked with former major-league pitcher Justin Speier.
After taking a round of infield practice, Jacobs was able to step in against the pitching machine during the tryout. While he didn’t leave with a contract, Jacobs was noticed by Tigers director of player development Dave Owen. Owen invited Jacobs to attend a game with the team’s minor league players in Florida.
Jacobs has previously tried out with the Dodgers and the White Sox. Following his tryout with Los Angeles, Upper Deck created and distributed a Daniel Jacobs baseball card. He also serves as the Director at VETsports, a non-profit that helps veterans get the support they need after being discharged.
“I’m heavily involved in the nonprofit work just trying to get out there and get [veterans] out in more productive, healthier aspects to living their life,” Jacobs said. “Because sitting on the couch and feeling sorry for yourself, the survivor’s guilt and the stages of grieving, it’s terrible. Once you get inside your head, it’s a hard place to get out of. I just feel that if I can get out here and play baseball and get my story out there, then it can reach out to somebody else.
“Last night, an 84-year-old amputee emailed me and asked me about prosthetics. He wants to get out and play tennis again — an 84-year-old who just had his leg amputated. That’s what it’s all about to me, getting out and getting my story out there and just trying to provide any assistance I can.”
As for his future plans, Jacobs said he’s going to focus on another tryout this summer, a second chance with the Chicago White Sox.
Remember what Jacobs says: Any day you can get out and play baseball is a good day.
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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik
