Everybody loves a good comeback story in sports. We find ourselves staring at the tv and cheering on the likes of Tiger Woods at The Masters in 2019 or seeing Alex Smith step back onto the field after an egregious injury. Watching these athletes fight the odds and come back to the sport they love, fills our hearts with admiration. This summer the CFPB has one of those stories in the making.
His name is Brandon Bertot, he is on Elite Squad, and coming into this summer he had not played baseball in over a year due to injury. Recently I had the opportunity to sit down with Brandon and talk to him about his road to recovery. We also discussed what he loved about playing baseball and the roots that it has in his family.
What made you start playing baseball in the first place?
Bertot: When I was young, I wanna say around 3 or 4 years old my Grandfather loved playing baseball and he wanted me to play. So, I gave it a shot and loved it instantly.
What’s been one of the best baseball highlights of your career?
Bertot: I wanna say my first homerun back. I was out 14 months after surgery and coming here to the CLPB was my first time playing since then. In my fourth or fifth game back I hit a homerun and it felt great after being out that long.
How did you get injured for 14 months?
Bertot: So, my sophomore year I had a partially torn labrum, but I was able to play through it. I went to physical therapy and I thought it got better. Then in my senior year, on my senior night I dove for a ball and I felt and heard it tear. It tore completely.
What got you through those 14 months?
Bertot: Friends, family, my Dad coaches baseball so I was always out on a field when I was hurt. Staying busy really helped me a lot.
How would you describe baseball in three words?
Bertot: Mental, life-changing, and comfort.
What do you love about playing baseball?
Bertot: When I’m out on the field all my problems outside of baseball feel like they don’t exist. It’s like therapy.