The MADE Story

I KNEW

I knew I wanted to play professional baseball when I was ten years old. I knew it the first time I drove a ball over the fence. I knew it when I smelled my glove before taking the field. I knew it standing on the mound under the lights on a Saturday night.

Baseball gave me something deeper than competition — it gave me connection, purpose, and belief. And I was blessed with coaches who poured into me early. But the biggest influence in my life was my mom.

She was at every game. Loud. Proud. Fully present. I never felt embarrassed — only motivated. I wanted to give her something back.

The Log Cabin Up North

My mom used to talk about owning a log cabin up north someday. I believed baseball could help me buy it for her. That dream fueled me.

At sixteen, I hit 89 mph as a left-handed junior in high school. With coach Tom Novak believing in me, I realized something: the only person who could stop me… was me.

Curveball #1

After earning a full-ride scholarship to Washington State University, I arrived on campus ready to compete. Instead, I was told I would not be cleared to play.

Doctors explained I would eventually need a hip replacement. They advised waiting until at least age 30 due to revision risks. I was 19.

I had been diagnosed at age seven with Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome, which had led to severe arthritis and avascular necrosis in my hip.

Doctors told me to quit baseball. I chose to find another way.

Find A Way

I made the decision to undergo hip replacement surgery at nineteen — something virtually unheard of for an aspiring athlete.

I didn’t know how the comeback would happen. I only knew quitting wasn’t the answer.

Curveball #2 and #3

In September 2004, my father passed away from cancer. Eight months later, in May 2005, my mother unexpectedly passed away from a sudden heart attack.

I was 19 years old. I had lost both parents. And I was two months away from hip replacement surgery.

Accelerate Left

During that time, I told myself something simple: I could accelerate right (negative), or accelerate left (positive). There was no middle.

I chose left.

With the support of an incredible group around me, I committed to honoring my parents by attacking life with positivity and purpose.

Focus

I focused on gratitude instead of circumstance. That decision changed everything.

I became only the second professional baseball player ever to compete with a total hip replacement. (Bo Jackson was the other.)

I pitched seven professional seasons. Over 700 innings. Four championships. A championship MVP. A no-hitter. Baseball America Top 10 Prospect (two consecutive seasons). Played in five countries.

None of it felt like coincidence. It was the manifestation of an attitude choice I MADE.

Reason > Excuse

I was signed by four affiliated MLB organizations — and released each time because I was labeled a liability.

That’s when I learned something powerful: It’s not the outcome that defines you. It’s your response.

That mindset became “Get MADE.” The daily act of making yourself through discipline, positivity, and relentless growth.

Why MADE Baseball Exists

I created MADE Baseball for two reasons:

1. To give young athletes the mentorship, structure, and training I didn’t have.
2. To build championship habits early — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

When I was young, I didn’t understand pitching development, strength training, nutrition, or the mental side of the game. I had to learn it the hard way.

MADE exists so players don’t have to.

Learn Champion Habits Young

The foundation of success is built early. Proper training. Proper mentorship. Proper mindset.

Motivation. Appreciation. Dedication. EVEryday.

Champions aren’t born. They’re MADE.