Honoring Tyler: Taylor Cole
I’ve always loved the game of baseball. My parents said that when I was in diapers I would be in the backyard hitting for hours off a plastic tee. I knew from a young age I wanted to play in the Major Leagues. I always believed I would make it.
The Minor Leagues and my LDS mission taught me very similar principles. Nothing is going to be handed to you. You have to go out there and get it. They were both extremely challenging at times and the schedules were non stop. I never got a day off on my mission and I only got to call home on Mother's Day and Christmas. During the Minor League season, you are playing every day with few days off in the season. Obviously, being away from family while playing baseball has its challenges too. My wife deserves a medal. There were many weekends where she would work a full week, make a long flight, stay with me for two nights and come right back home and start the work week back up the next morning. I don’t know how she did it.
When I got called up with the Angels, it was my second time pitching in the Big Leagues. I knew what I needed to do to be successful this time. I needed to be present and eliminate distractions. I needed to trust my preparation and slow the game down and go after guys. I did just that and success followed.
Tyler Skaggs was a friend of mine and someone that everyone loved being around. When I got the news that I would be starting that game, I realized that it would be the first home game back after his passing and we would be honoring him that night. I saw his wife Carli in the clubhouse before the game, and watched his mom Debbie throw out the perfect first pitch while I was warming up in the bullpen.
When I was getting ready for the game, I got a little teary eyed and just emotional about the whole thing. I remember getting out to the game, and kneeling and saying a little prayer - almost talking to Tyler, just saying ‘Hey, be here with us today.’ Then I touched my hand on his number and got up there and pitched.
Everything seemed to fall into place that night. I had two quick innings to start the game and watched the rest of the game in the clubhouse. I could feel the stadium rumble from in there. From where I was watching, there was a slight delay on my tv. I heard the stadium shake and then saw Felix Pena get the final out on the tv. I ran out to be with the team.
I don’t know if anything will ever match up to that. When you do something as a family - as a team - it’s special. We felt like there was nothing we could really do to give back to Skaggs’ family, but I think that if there was anything, that’s one of the best things that could’ve happened. You can’t make this stuff up. The people that were there said it’s the single greatest game they have ever seen.
Post shoulder surgery I’m working to get back to full health. Teams are interested but they want to see me healthy first before things get serious. I’m just taking it a day at a time.
The advice I would give to young kids is that if you want to be the best you can be, you are going to have to sacrifice. It has to become who you are. It can’t be a hobby you do on the weekends. It needs to take over every part of you.
