Hallways echoed with unsettled emotions and the bleak silence of a hurtful baseball memory that still lingers. It has already been half a year since Alexis Diaz last caught sight of his sibling’s heart-wrenching knee injury footage. He has put an end to revisiting it, having sworn not to let his eyes slide over the unfortunate episode once more.
In the aftermath of the harm caused to Edwin’s patellar tendon during this year’s World Baseball Classic, an extensive swirl of grief and implied self-blame washed over Alexis. However, time healed the wounds, and he no longer sags under the weight of these strenuous feelings.
Rising Above The Ashes
Currently, Alexis is flourishing, becoming an All-Star finisher for the captivating Cincinnati Reds team, which is vigorously wrestling for a playoff spot as the regular league enters its almost concluding fortnight. Meanwhile, Edwin strides forward in the final phases of a grueling recovery, with the encouraging track record of multiple successful bullpen sessions, setting his sights on pitching in games as the time ticks for his regretful New York Mets to bow out.
In a sentimental gathering last Friday at the Citi Field, on Roberto Clemente Day, two brothers, Alexis and Edwin, will embrace each other tightly, half a year post the ill-fated mishap that shattered their professional lives. Edwin’s knee had given into the weight of his teammates’ collective cheer near the LoanDepot Park mound. Despite having recorded the terminating out, the veneer of victory was brutally cracked open by the unforeseen turn of events, casting a somber shadow over the joyous climax.
What ensued was a struggle. Edwin, faced with a prospective baseball career jeopardy, needed support. Yet, so did Alexis, as the turmoil consumed him – emotionally and mentally.
A Lesson in Solace and Strength
Fathers bear the weight of their children’s trials, and Edwin Senior was no exception. Reflecting on the damaging incident, he spoke of the intense emotional gloom that had gripped Alexis. Upon reaching Edwin on the field, Alexis had laid a gentle hand on his brother’s back; an action he had erroneously associated with the infliction of the latter’s injury.
It was time to reroute their professional careers. That very evening, the siblings, along with their teammates, friends, and family, assembled in Edwin’s hotel room at the InterContinental in Miami. Facing a surgical procedure scheduled for the following day, Edwin had presumed his season with the Mets to be all but over. The immense anticipation revolving around his star-studded Mets, and with a monumental $102 million baseball contract under his belt, an overwhelming surge of blame washed over Alexis as he wept over the unfortunate incident.
Edwin, in a bid to provide his younger brother comfort, showed him the video of the incident and demonstrated that it was neither his fault nor anybody else’s that led to the injury. A humble lesson in accepting the inevitable, it was, as it seemed, sheerly his turn to face the adversity.
Road to Baseball Accomplishment and Hardships
Edwin’s journey towards recognition was an easier sail compared to his younger brother. Being enlisted as the third-round pick in the anticipated 2012 draft, Edwin was closing games for the Seattle Mariners within four years. Two years hence, he emerged as an All-Star, eventually turning into a Cy Young contestant by 2022. Prior to the current year, he had never set foot on a major league injury list.
Alexis, however, faced a rougher sail. Drafted in the 12th round in 2015, nearly three years post Edwin, Alexis encountered obstacles in his journey. When the world combated COVID-19 and minor league seasons were postponed in 2020, Alexis was nearing 24 years and still in recovery post a Tommy John surgery. Lacking progress beyond Class A, he sought guidance from former major pitcher Hector Mercado. Mercado contributed to improving Alexis’s delivery, its consistency, and effective utilization of his physical skills.
Therefore, in sports, an industry cemented with tales of resilience and triumph over setbacks, the tale of two brothers, Alexis and Edwin, reiterates the journey a sportsman undertakes – both highs and lows, wins and losses – echoing an unwavering spirit even when faced with formidable adversities.
