They talk about all the different levels before you get to the majors and how some of these guys make as little as one hundred dollars a week. My mind is blown. They have to travel all over the country for days at a time.How can they possibly hold down another job as well?
They also mention how the players have to provide all of their own equipment and housing. When the spokesman said there are players who are hungry and sleeping on air mattresses, only to wake up and play for thousands of paying customers, it breaks my heart.
Included are stories of Adam Wainwright, a veteran St. Louis pitcher, and his wife donating two hundred fifty thousand dollars to Cardinals minor leaguers and the Colorado Rockies player Daniel Murphy donating one hundred thousand dollars in the past few days to the organization.
I’m so engrossed in their conversation that I totally forgot that Drew was coming on until they split the screen and welcome him to the discussion.
Seeing him on-screen melts my heart in ways I didn’t know possible. Every day, I feel more for this man, and just the sight of him brings those emotions deeper.
“We want to welcome Andrew Miller to the show, who is the newest San Francisco Giants first baseman. Thanks for joining us, Andrew.”
“Thanks for having me,” Drew says.
“I hear you were a recipient of More Than Baseball’s program. Can you tell us more about that?” the host asks.
Drew starts with a slight chuckle. “Recipientis probably not the right word. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for More Than Baseball. I was that guy who was sleeping on an air mattress after each game. I had to make my way up through the ranks of Single-A to where I am now. I didn’t go to a fancy college or get drafted right away. I started at the bottom, and to say it was a struggle is a bit of an understatement.”
“Did you really not have a normal bed?” the host asks.
Drew runs his hand down his face like he’s embarrassed and doesn’t believe he’s saying this all on national television.
He lets out a deep breath and continues, “I was lucky that I was moving up through the ranks pretty fast, but that meant, I had to move a lot. It was easier to throw my mattress in a box because I couldn’t afford the big trucks every time I moved. My mom was battling cancer during my time in the minors, so I wouldn’t dare to ask my parents for money.”
“How’s your mom now?” the host asks, obviously concerned.
Drew’s face lights up. “She’s great. In remission now. Thanks for asking.”
“Glad to hear it. So, how did More Than Baseball help you, and why did you donate one hundred thousand dollars to the organization?” the host asks.
My mouth falls to the floor as I blink my eyes wide.Did he just say one hundred thousand dollars?
Drew grins from ear to ear. “My life changed once someone introduced me to More Than Baseball. I was able to get help with buying food, living a normal life, and they gave me hope. I barely had my contract signed before the pandemic happened. If the lockdown had happened a month later, I’d have been back with all my friends, making four hundred dollars a week. It just didn’t seem right. I had a signing bonus that was supposed to be the down payment on my new apartment, but the shelter-in-place order here in California made that purchase fall through just the other day, so I figured there was no better place for the money to go. I’m lucky enough that my parents live close to San Francisco, so I’m staying with them. I know there are a few guys who aren’t so lucky and could really use the help.”
“So, you’re bringing the program full circle?” the host asks.
“Exactly.” Drew nods.
“Well, I’m sure the players who will benefit from your generosity will appreciate it. Thanks for coming on.”
“Thanks for having me,” Drew says.
His window closes, and the host fills the screen.
“There you have it. From veterans of the game to their newest players, everyone in the baseball family is helping one another.”
I have to wipe the tears from my eyes that kept popping up as Drew spoke. He went through all of that while his mom was fighting cancer, and I’m sure it was very hard. Knowing he was able to make it this far proves the fight he has in him.
He’s a determined man, and it makes him even sexier than I thought before. Both inside and out.
I pick up the phone and dial him right away.
“Hey there, cutie,” he says like he’s been chilling, watching a movie, and not giving a huge interview.
“Drew …” I say, trying to hold back the tears again.
“You saw, didn’t you?” he says, and I can’t tell if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
“I did. I’m just blown away. Why didn’t you tell me?”
