The Baseball Life

I’m not going to lie, being a baseball wife is not easy. Don’t get me wrong, I am very thankful for it. God has provided for us through this crazy journey and He has brought us many blessings. We have met some AMAZING people, have gotten to see some very cool (and not so cool) cities, and have gotten to experience the ups and downs of this game called baseball. Let me tell you, when Matt and I first started dating in 2002, I had NO idea that we would still be in baseball today. When we met, Matt was playing at Central Arizona College, shortly after that, he was drafted in 2003, and has been in the game ever since.

I remember when I visited Matt for the first time after he got drafted in 2003. I bought a plane ticket to Newark, NJ, Matt picked me up from the airport, then drove to a little town calledAndover, NJ, where Matt’s team played. The New Jersey Cardinals was a Rookie team, and Matt’s first “professional” team he ever played on. I honestly did not know a lot about baseball. I didn’t know the rules, the stress, the time away from each other. I was just along for the ride.

Well as our relationship got a little more serious, I quickly learned that the baseball life, was not the easiest. After we spent A LOT of money on the few plane tickets we bought for me to visit, I decided to be a flight attendant to cut that cost, and see my man a little more. So In 2004 I became a flight attendant for America West Airlines. Me being a flight attendant and him playing minor league ball seemed to be a good fit, I got to fly for free to see him on my days off. It made being a part from each other a lot easier, especially because Matt was basically making pennies, the first 5 or 6 years of his career.

So throughout the 7 years of minor league baseball with the Cardinals, we have lived in NJ, Peoria, IL, Palm Beach, FL, Springfield, Mo, and Memphis, TN. It’s crazy, to type all of that out, and in the middle of all of that in 2007 we got married… Anyway, Finally in 2009, Matt made his dream come true and got called up to THE BIGS! To say we were excited was an understatement. It seriously felt like a dream. Matt made his big league appearance inCincinatti, but it wasn’t until the Cardinals were on the road in Denver I was able to visit. Not only was it exciting to go watch my husband play in a big league uniform, but the Cardinals were in the running to make the playoffs, which made it even more exciting. I remember getting out of the cab at The Ritz in Denver, and seeing our friend Blake, who also played for the Cardinals. The first thing he said to me was “This isn’t the MCM Elagante, is it?” (TheMCM Elegante, is a nasty minor hotel in Albuquerque) Ha! NO it was not! The Cardinals ended up clinching the playoffs on that trip- which being a part of that is an amazing experience in itself! So the 2009 season ended, and it was time for Matt to prepare for the 2010 season.

So the 2010 season started, and Matt started out in AAA (Memphis), which we expected. Let’s just say that God threw us some curve balls during the 2010 season, but Matt ended up in St. Louis at the end of the season, and did really well.

2011 is now here, and things are a little different, because we have our sweet angel, Brielle. Having a baby definitely makes things a little harder, as far as travel, Matt being on the road, etc. But so much fun at the same time. We are living in Colorado Springs, which is AAA for the Colorado Rockies, and hopefully waiting for that shot for Matt to get back to the Bigs. In the mean time, I’m embracing being in a different city, being a stay at home mom, and being alone, without my family (and husband) most of the time. It can be challenging at times, but I’m so grateful for my amazing husband, who works SO hard at what he does. He has defied a lot of odds during his career, and he makes me so proud! He is the most dedicated man I have ever met, in everything that he does.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and future” Jeremiah 29:11

I wish I had more pics on my computer from the minor leagues, but unfortunately, I don't. :(

Our first family baseball photo

Matt and I in Denver 2009