257 replies to this topic

[JakeRae]

Where is Sprowl "The Reaper" when we need him?

Back on topic, this is great news. I'd love to know if he is doing any work on base running at this point. If he can run the bases and can start to hit live pitching again, he might be able to see some playing time at DH next year while he continues to try to recover his ability to play the field.

And, yes, I know I am getting way ahead of myself there. But, I can only imagine it would help his recovery to be able to get some at bats in real games at some point, if only for the psychological boost that would provide.

[Buzzkill Pauley]

This guy is very important. We need pitching badly. Lackey needs to go and replace him with Westmoreland anyone?

I think you may be confusing Ryan Westmoreland with Brian Westbrook.

Yeah, that's it.

Seriously, though -- what a damn amazing story. Good luck, kid!

[Beomoose]

Where is Sprowl "The Reaper" when we need him?

Back on topic, this is great news. I'd love to know if he is doing any work on base running at this point. If he can run the bases and can start to hit live pitching again, he might be able to see some playing time at DH next year while he continues to try to recover his ability to play the field.

And, yes, I know I am getting way ahead of myself there. But, I can only imagine it would help his recovery to be able to get some at bats in real games at some point, if only for the psychological boost that would provide.

I'd love for our resident docs to weigh in on this idea, because it sounds pretty good to me.

[soxfan121]

It gets a little dusty almost every time I read a Westmoreland tweet or article. What that kid has done - words can't do it justice. Toughness and perseverance have been redefined for me.

I've never rooted for an athlete harder and I don't even care if he plays in the majors. His story will be passed on to my kids. THIS is what you can do when life gives you a challenge.

[JakeRae]

It gets a little dusty almost every time I read a Westmoreland tweet or article. What that kid has done - words can't do it justice. Toughness and perseverance have been redefined for me.

I've never rooted for an athlete harder and I don't even care if he plays in the majors. His story will be passed on to my kids. THIS is what you can do when life gives you a challenge.

Agreed. If he spends a single minute on the Red Sox active roster, I am buying a jersey.

[OBPercent1]

Good news


http://www.rotoworld...an-Westmoreland

[JakeRae]

Good news


http://www.rotoworld...an-Westmoreland

http://www.projo.com...1.767cf85e.html

[graffam198]

Faces live pitching for the first time today, thought this thread could use a bump From the Glob.

[24JoshuaPoint]

Does he seem to be progressing faster than expected? Every few weeks he seems to be making huge strides. Amazing stuff.

[jippaman]

Does he seem to be progressing faster than expected? Every few weeks he seems to be making huge strides. Amazing stuff.

I've worked with and seen young kids like Ryan make incredible strides in rehabilitation programs over what seems like very small time periods. The brains of people his age recover much more quickly than those of older adults and the elderly, and his own natural ability and the 24/7 care provided by the Sox organization play a huge role in his improvement. It's impossible to say without knowing him or his exact rehab protocol what factors allow him to regain his hand-eye coordination, speed, agility, etc. so quickly, but hard work and genetics are as critical as anything. I love seeing stories like his, and I hope that he'll be able to shed some public light on the importance of different therapies. I'd also love to meet his particular therapists, as I'm sure some of their tricks could be applied to non-athletes with similar deficits. That's all a personal interest for me, but regardless - great stuff.

[MrDaniel]

Haven't seen this here anywhere yet. Pn the Soxprospects board last week they were saying that Ryan was not only watching but also swinging at pitches in a simulated game on 8/17. If its true its definitely another big step for him.

[smackdown924]

More good news. I'm not sure how many of you follow him on Twitter @RWesty25 but he posted a picture yesterday of him taking BP (making solid contact on a beautiful swing), and another picture today of him dressed in uniform for the Greenville Drive, saying:
"Working out with the @GreenvilleDrive - feelin' great, looking to get a win tonight before heading to Hickory, NC."

I'm not clear if he's just traveling with the team or if he's really going to get game action, but either way just seeing him in uniform has me super excited.

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

but he posted a picture yesterday of him taking BP (making solid contact on a beautiful swing)

[Beomoose]

Ryan and his girlfriend were at the Pats home opener:

Great game! Got a new sweatshirt and an authentic Tom Brady jersey! Also, nice sweatshirt yourself @cmeta8690 http://yfrog.com/18zi7dj

[SoxScout]

wow

@nickcafardo: Great story: Ryan Westmoreland heading to Dominican to DH

Edited by SoxScout, 05 December 2011 - 12:24 PM.

[Saturnian]

wow

That is awesome news, I am really happy for him. I always get a little hop in my step (finger?) when I see this thread on top of the Minor League forum, and it's great to see he is going to get real live game ABs.

[LogansDad]

Awesome news.

[sittingstill]

Worth knowing that many of the Dominican games are streamed live via the league website. A TV icon will appear in the box on the right if a game is streaming. Often there are three games but only one or two of them will be streamed. As of now Dominican time is an hour ahead of Boston.

Fingers crossed that we can see Ryan get some at-bats!

Edit: Per Speier it'll be the Instructional League, not the Winter League. Which makes more sense--but I was hopeful!

Edited by sittingstill, 05 December 2011 - 01:58 PM.

[Andrew]

Wow. What were the odds of him ever playing a professional baseball game again? This is absolutely amazing.

[tonyarmasjr]

Anybody know how things went for him today?

Edit: I see 1-1 on twitter. Anything more?

Edited by tonyarmasjr, 08 December 2011 - 07:23 PM.

[Saturnian]

ESPN Boston article says he was planning to get one AB today, no base running. Potentially two ABs tomorrow before going home for the holidays.

[notfar]

Anybody know how things went for him today?

Edit: I see 1-1 on twitter. Anything more?

I don't see that anywhere. Link?

[Zedia]

I don't see that anywhere. Link?

This guy tweeted it earlier, but it's gone now. Maybe he got duped.

[Beomoose]

Anybody know how things went for him today?

Edit: I see 1-1 on twitter. Anything more?

EspnBoston says he was only going to have 1 AB Thurs, maybe more Friday.

[Ramon AC]

Globe

Red Sox assistant GM Mike Hazen reports that Ryan Westmoreland had five plate appearances in instructional league games in the Dominican Republic over the last two days.
...
Westmoreland grounded out twice, walked, struck out and was hit by a pitch.

[StuckOnYouk]

Globe

Hey, he made contact twice and walked, not bad for first real action. Baby steps.

Of course the poor kid had to get hit.

[pokey_reese]

Hey, he made contact twice and walked, not bad for first real action. Baby steps.

Of course the poor kid had to get hit.

At least the fact that he got plunked suggests that he wasn't getting any pity or special treatment from the pitchers. It makes the ground outs a little more impressive.

I admit, I might have been tempted to throw him a meatball in an instructional league game.

[The Mainahh]

HIs progress already astounds me, the fact that hes come this far back is impressive all by it self. Any video of his instructional league at bats?

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

Ryan does a short interview with SiriusXM Sports (MLB Radio). The audio ends right at 3 minutes so I don't know if there is a larger, full interview.

Either way, he briefly discusses his first live at bats and how he picked up hitting easier than tying his shoes.

http://siriusxmsport...rospect-discuss

[Beomoose]

Engaged.

[Franklin Fanatic]

Any new info on Westmoreland and spring training? I haven't seen anything new in a while.

[Jeff Van GULLY]

Some article mentioned (not sure which) that he's in camp, hitting and taking part in drills. That's all I know.

[SoxScout]

Edes said it was 'unlikely' that he would play this year two days ago. I'm sure there will be some feature article on him at some point by someone.

[Franklin Fanatic]

Thanks SS; that's disappointing but not unexpected.

[soxhop411]

Mike Andrews ‏ @MikeAndrewsSP

• Close

Ryan Westmoreland should be back to facing live pitching this week. Likely to start '12 in XST with possible callup to G'ville at some point

[Rasputin]

Mike Andrews ‏ @MikeAndrewsSP

• Close

Ryan Westmoreland should be back to facing live pitching this week. Likely to start '12 in XST with possible callup to G'ville at some point

I just saw that. I'm pretty sure I'm making my first trip to Greenville this year and if Westmoreland does come up, I may have to make a second.

[Montana Fan]

I just saw that. I'm pretty sure I'm making my first trip to Greenville this year and if Westmoreland does come up, I may have to make a second.

Pretty sure? What the hell else are you doing? Didn't you retire?

[RobertTillman]

http://audio.weei.co..._medium=twitter

[Carl Everetts Therapist]

can someone post a few details? I am being blocked by my works content protector. Does Westmoreland sound good? Last time I heard an interview with him you could tell something just wasn't right.

If this kid can make it back to being even a fringe prospect it is a once in a lifetime type story, absolutely amazing...

[steveluck7]

Still a little slurred.

He talked about enjoying the fact that he's working on everyday, mechanical things such as keeping his back foot steady when he swings as opposed to "just hit the ball"
He talked about the Dominican winter league and how 2 or 3 of the first 4 pitchers he faced were lefties and how he saw lots of breaking balls. Also said he got HBP and said it never felt better.

Said his specific goals right now are to get comfortable once again in playing in games regularly.
"I'm gonna get a lot of at-bats. I don't know where, I don't know when but it's gonna happen"
"I'm willing to test the limits and push myself as long as i can until someone tells me i can't."
"90% baseball activity now, 10% rehab stuff"

He hopes to get out of Fort Myers this year.

Overall, while his speech was a bit slurred, I thought he was "quick" with responses and didn't struggle to get anything out, which, to me, is a positive sign.

Edited by steveluck7, 27 March 2012 - 12:52 PM.

[Beomoose]

Good interview, thanks for linking.

[someoneanywhere]

I just saw that. I'm pretty sure I'm making my first trip to Greenville this year and if Westmoreland does come up, I may have to make a second.

Come on up, Ras. I was at the ballpark the other day -- it's looking just about as fine as it ever has, and the Drive FO people were buzzing about having JBJ around for a couple of months. I don't know if they know anything or were crossing their fingers, but a little JBJ, some Swihart and Ceccini, should hold us over until Westmoreland makes his way back.

[PaulinMyrBch]

Westmoreland video on NESN, lots of video of him in the cage.

http://www.nesn.com/...-sox-video.html

[SoxScout]

DaleEArnold: The @RedSox announce surgery today for Ryan Westmoreland for complications of a cavernous malformation in his brain. Ryan is "doing well."

[Nuf Ced]

Damn. He's been working so hard to come back.

[mwonow]

Well, that sucks. Get well, Ryan!

[JimBoSox9]

The quote being universally used is "

the surgery was a success and Ryan is doing well in recovery"

, but I can't find anything that speculates the level to which this will impact his baseball recovery arc.

[pjr]

Ryan Westmoreland ‏@RWesty25
He pulled me through again. #2for2inlife & batting 1.000 in brain surgeries pic.twitter.com/ns2YqbUv

[ThePieholeOfDavidWells]

Doesn't sound good for Westmoreland's baseball career.

According to Westmoreland's father in Projo:

“This complication and surgery was almost identical to the first and its reoccurrence was very surprising to everyone involved. Knowing the horrifying risks associated with the surgery, we are extremely grateful to them for their professionalism and expertise.”

It's just too bad. And it must be excruciating for everyone involved.

[threecy]

There haven't been many posts here...here's the latest I've found, from http://espn.go.com/b...despite-setback

 

But in spring 2010, the malformation in his brain began to bleed and Westmoreland needed emergency surgery. During his recovery, the goal of playing professional baseball again helped him battle through the life-changing rehab.

It’s no different this time.

“I’m always thinking about [baseball],” he said. “But we’re going to take it slow again and kind of play it by ear and see how I’m feeling. Hopefully I get to go down to Florida and they can evaluate me down there. I hope I get to go down there by February. That’s what I’m shooting for, but again, I’ll confirm that with the doctors and the medical staff, but that’s what I’m hoping for.

“In a way it’s the same, but it’s pretty serious stuff and the second time around made it a lot harder. Again, I’ve been able to take a step back and I’m partially learning from the last time I’ve been able to take a step back and realize what’s the highest priority and go from there. There’s no question about my drive and I’m definitely still optimistic about my future.”