PUEBLA, MEXICO – After I got home from Taiwan my family and I got very sick with a flu-like illness. I brought something back from Asia and my wife caught it. Same time my two small children picked up something from their little friends.

Both illnesses ran their course but we all were in a deep fog for about 10 days. During this time I kept getting call from what I thought was an Asian number. I wasn't picking up the phone because I was afraid that The Taiwan team was going to ask me back. Being sick I just didn't want to get back on a plane and then have to pitch as soon as I got back. They were still paying me so this was a possibility with me technically still under contract. So I ignored about three calls from this number.

A week went by and the number called again. This time feeling a little better I answered. I was expecting an Asian voice but instead I heard some English mixed with Spanish. It was a team from Mexico.

Eastbound and Down again

The Pericos of Puebla Mexico were offering me a contract to finish out the season in Mexico. Unlike Taiwan they were asking me to pitch out of the bullpen. This excited me because I have been dominant in the Mexican League this year out of the pen. This team was in first place and they want me to come in and help shore up the back end of their bullpen. We worked out a contract and I headed out July 5.

Home and relocation

Once I was home, the panic of what to do next was suffocating. I spent 13 days home before I answered the Pericos call. Those 13 days were spent in a lot of thought and planning. My wife has told me that I can continue to coach high school basketball during the off season. This is something I am extremely passionate about but we will continue to have to make sacrifices. I will be looking for an off season job for the first time in my life. I hope to make some money and gain experience in the real world but most of all I am blessed to be able to put a uniform back on.