By Jeff Moeller / Special to MLBbro

 

Curtis Pride recognizes greatness.

For someone who made history himself on the baseball field, breaking barriers and representing some of the most iconic brands during his stellar MLB playing career, Pride remembers how he felt in the presence of Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan.

Meeting The Champ 

An outfielder with the Angels, this spring training day in Arizona was not normal. The Champ was visiting an array of big league clubs. Monotonous fielding drills would wait.

“I told Ali that I loved watching him box, had a ton of respect for him, that he was my idol. He could hear me and understood what I was saying but could not respond,” said Pride, using his five percent residual hearing.

“I had vivid memories of (him) in his prime when he could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Now, here he was, moving slowly if at all, unable to speak.

 

“It was heartbreaking and inspirational, all at the same time. A reminder that we have a limited amount of time to make an impact on the world, delivered to me by the greatest of all-time.”

Relationship With MJ

Interactions with Jordan were different: Less talk, more action.

It was 1994 and Pride, like Jordan, was a minor league baseball outfielder. The two then had little in common – Jordan owned three NBA championship rings – but in Pride, he recognized someone as having the best chance to defend him.

Defend him?

“Every (baseball) game Michael was scheduled to play in became a fan and media circus,” said Pride. “To help relax, Michael decided to host invitation-only pickup basketball games on the off days at a local gym that was closed to the public. Michael played hard during the games.”

“Obviously he was able to do pretty much whatever he wanted to during our matchups,” said Pride, who played D1 hoops at William & Mary. “But I did have a few memorable moments, too.”

The first and only deaf player in the contemporary history of Major League Baseball, Pride played 11 big league seasons over 23 pro seasons.

The determination and perseverance he showed playing for the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, Braves, Tigers, and Expos is an inspiration to so many. He proved you can overcome the odds and surpass disability.

Former Deaf MLB Player Curtis Pride Writes Book 

Now Pride has written the next chapter of his life. “I Felt the Cheers,” is further living proof dreams come true, no matter how impossible they seem.

“A lot of my teammates, a lot of fans, would ask if I had a book. I would ask myself why they would say that. (It was because) they wanted to know more about my life and what I went through, how I overcame my disabilities to play Major League Baseball.

“I hope this book now inspires those with disabilities – anything is possible.”

Deaf since birth, Pride has struggled with an array of challenges. Communications challenges led him to be bullied. He was called ‘Dummy’ on multiple occasions. On the field, he was viewed as a long-shot, and even overlooked at times.

Does Pride see himself as a trailblazer?

“For what I went through and overcame, I see myself as a role model.”

 

 

Story features excerpts from the book,  “I Felt the Cheers / The Remarkable Silent Life of Curtis Pride” is available for purchase at Amazon.com / details can be found on Instagram: @CurtisPrideBook

Imagery courtesy: I Felt the Cheers, The Remarkable Silent Life of Curtis Pride (Kensington)