In the current days of selfish acts, it is very rare, in particular in the world of sports, to see an organization take that extra step. That is exactly what the Texas Rangers did in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.
Outfielder Johnathan Taylor of the University of Georgia, who broke his neck on March 6 in an outfield collision with a teammate during a home game against Florida State University, was selected by the Rangers in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball draft.
The collision left the 21-year-old Taylor paralyzed from the waist down. The Ranger’s organization always had the outfielder on their radar prior to the accident but after breaking his neck, his chances of being drafted were slim, removing his dream of being drafted to play professional baseball.
In a statement released via email by Kip Fagg, the American League champion’s director of amateur scouting, said “We would have drafted him either way, regardless of any other circumstances involving his injury… The club has always liked his passion and ability as a player.”
Since the accident, Taylor has undergone surgery to stabilize his spine and left in-patient rehabilitation care at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta on March 24, 2011. His mother, Tandra, issued a statement through the University of Georgia after the Rangers’ selection saying, “We’re all very proud of him. It’s just amazing, and, when he got the call, his face lit up, and we were all very excited. It was awesome news.”
Even if Taylor never plays baseball again, one thing for certain is that he is a class act and that the Texas Rangers showed, through their actions, that they are a class organization, giving this young man his dream of being drafted. He will always be reminded of this, and we should all hope other organizations in professional sports can learn by this example that there are many other ways to win than just being on the field.
–torrance stephens, ph.d
