Stories to Watch: Jim Parque
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While skimming through the baseball headlines this morning, I noticed that the Mariners have signed former lefthander Jim Parque, best known for his years in a White Sox Uniform.
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Parque has been out of the league since 2004 due to serious shoulder troubles. Most will remember Parque as having gone 13-6 with a 4.28 ERA for the White Sox in 2000 and pitching Game 1 of the ALCS in that year vs. Seattle.
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So why does this matter? This story oddly mirrors that of former Tampa Bay pitcher Jimmy Morris, a story made famous by my favourite baseball movie “The Rookie”. In the movie, Jimmy Morris is a high school science teacher who is encouraged to attend an open tryout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays by his students after seeing him throw in the mid 90’s while pitching batting practice to the school baseball team. Jim Parque, after leaving baseball, opened up his own baseball academy. After 2 years off from the game, Parque’s shoulder is feeling good and he is able to throw pain free. While pitching in his baseball academy he was able to build his arm strength up to be able to throw in the low 90’s again. Several of his academy members encouraged him to make a comeback after seeing the radar gun readings, which wound up in Parque attending auditions with the Rangers, Reds and Mariners.
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I hope he does complete the comeback and I will be rooting for him. Keep your eye on this potentially feel good story for 2007..
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Stories to Watch: Jim Parque
Stories to Watch: Jim Parque
Â
While skimming through the baseball headlines this morning, I noticed that the Mariners have signed former lefthander Jim Parque, best known for his years in a White Sox Uniform.
Â
Parque has been out of the league since 2004 due to serious shoulder troubles. Most will remember Parque as having gone 13-6 with a 4.28 ERA for the White Sox in 2000 and pitching Game 1 of the ALCS in that year vs. Seattle.
Â
So why does this matter? This story oddly mirrors that of former Tampa Bay pitcher Jimmy Morris, a story made famous by my favourite baseball movie “The Rookie”. In the movie, Jimmy Morris is a high school science teacher who is encouraged to attend an open tryout for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays by his students after seeing him throw in the mid 90’s while pitching batting practice to the school baseball team. Jim Parque, after leaving baseball, opened up his own baseball academy. After 2 years off from the game, Parque’s shoulder is feeling good and he is able to throw pain free. While pitching in his baseball academy he was able to build his arm strength up to be able to throw in the low 90’s again. Several of his academy members encouraged him to make a comeback after seeing the radar gun readings, which wound up in Parque attending auditions with the Rangers, Reds and Mariners.
Â
I hope he does complete the comeback and I will be rooting for him. Keep your eye on this potentially feel good story for 2007..
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Callum Hughson has written for Mopupduty.com since 2006. Follow Callum on Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram