It’s hard to make it to major league baseball. Really hard. Before 2019, there were 40 rounds in the draft with four different levels in the minor leagues before you make it to the majors. Some players picked in the first round may never make the majors while some picked late in the draft can still make it to the majors and have a good career.
Joey Callender was one of these late-round picks, being picked in the 26th round of the 2006 MLB draft. Joey was drafted out of Texas Tech where he batted .340 for his time with the Red Raiders. Callender was a solid contact hitter, but he shined with his glove. With repetitive training on his glove work as a kid, he was the best fielder out there. These traits got him drafted to the Tampa Bay Rays in the 26th round. Callender succeeded in rookie ball where he eventually moved up to High-A ball. He then moved up to Double-A after a while, where he began to struggle. Joey never made it past Double-A and eventually fizzled out of baseball. His dream of playing in the majors had failed, and I can assume that this was pretty devastating to him. Despite this setback, around a month later he ended up meeting his future wife and getting back on his feet with a job at BSN Sports. Why do I know this?
Joey Callender is my uncle and a very close person to me in my life.
My uncle’s story inspired me when I first learned about it from my family members. Even though he never made it to the majors, he didn’t let that deter him from continuing to push forward in life. I talked about in my other blog, junior year has been the hardest year I’ve experienced so far, but if one of the coolest people I know can push through something I can’t imagine I know I can too. My family is very tight-knit and this is one of the biggest blessings in my life. I know my family is closer than most, so I never want to take it for granted. For me, my family means everything, like Dom Toretto, and they all inspire me to continue moving forward whether I’m at my highest or at my lowest. Life is hard, but that just is the way it is. I know that even when it feels impossible, you can push through.
Jack Brogdon • Feb 1, 2024 at 9:40 am
Awesome article, awesome young man!