Months before Anthony Banda struck a paper towel dispenser out of frustration in the Los Angeles Dodgers clubhouse, he hit rock bottom. He contemplated retirement this past winter and took a month off from throwing. However, during that break, he volunteered as a coach at his nephew's high school, which rekindled his passion for the game and allowed him to throw hard once more.
"I went through, what, 11 organizations? And no one could find that for me. He did it within 24 hours," Banda said, emphasizing how crucial the Dodgers' coaching and his new grip adjustments transformed his abilities. This highlights not only his frustration but also the unexpected pathways to success in sports.
"That," Banda told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, "is the beauty of baseball." His journey, involving not just personal challenges but also adaptability to coaching and new pitches, symbolizes resilience in a competitive landscape.
Banda joined the Dodgers' bullpen in May and has posted a 3.08 ERA over 49 and two-thirds innings since then. His fastball continues to be strong, reminiscent of his time as a top prospect with the Arizona Diamondbacks and his significant return for the Tampa Bay Rays.
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