'Once in a lifetime': B.C. baseball player shines in big league debut
When Abbotsford’s Cade Smith stepped onto pitcher's mound in his first major league baseball game Saturday, his family was there to cheer him on – including his dad.
And that was a bit of a miracle in itself.
“It’s been a crazy week, a whirlwind,” said Cade’s dad, Tim, who got clearance last week from his cardiologist to travel to Oakland to see his son’s MLB debut with the Cleveland Guardians.
And his son did not disappoint.
“He goes out there and in two innings, he’s responsible for six outs and he strikes out five of them. And what we found out was that it was a record in a team debut,” said Cade’s proud father after his son helped his team defeat the Oakland Athletics.
“He knew where we were (in the stands) because we were hooting and hollering. It was just a great celebration of all his hard work,” said Tim Smith, who hadn’t been able to see his son in about a year.
The father had been waiting for a complicated heart surgery that took place in December and then needed time to recover. Cade, in the midst of applying for U.S. residency, was not able to come back to Canada.
“Both Sylvia (Cade’s mom) and I lost our dads when we were about his age, so that made it a whole lot tougher,” Tim said.
But last week, Cade called his family with some exciting news. He would be travelling with the Guardians to Oakland, though he didn’t yet know if he was on the roster.
It was a bit of a scramble, but ultimately, Tim Smith got the medicine, the medical insurance and the clearance from his cardiologist to travel.
“He (my cardiologist) tells me there’s some things going on that still need to get healed, but this is once-in-a-lifetime. You’re stable. We’ll let you go,” he recalled.
While with his family, Cade learned he had made the roster. And then last Saturday, he became the first Canadian this year to debut in the MLB, and one of only about a dozen playing in the league.
“It’s something that you don’t imagine is really going to happen. We’re proud of the work ethic, how he’s connected with his players, coaches,” said his dad.
But it’s been a long road and there’s been plenty of bumps along the way.
Cade started out playing t-ball in Abbotsford at the age of four and in Grade 11, almost quit ball altogether.
In the end, he persevered and made it to the big leagues.
“He just kept working and grinding and getting better,” said his dad.
Now 24, the 6’5” pitcher had a second chance to play Monday night in Seattle.
“He was awesome,” said Tim.
“He had another four outs he had to get and he struck out three of them, didn’t give up a hit.”
Cade’s family, including his grandmothers, were there to cheer him on.
His dad hopes that his son will stay with the Cleveland team and that he will see him play in Toronto on Father’s Day which also happens to be Tim’s birthday.
In the meantime, Tim said his son keeps working on getting better.
“You just want to encourage him to work hard and honor God with his attitude and his effort,” said Tim Smith, who is a teacher at the Mennonite Educational Institute.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Amber Alert ended for 2 children near Quebec City
The Amber Alert for two children in the Quebec City region has ended.
Netanyahu acknowledges 'tragic mistake' after Rafah strike kills dozens of Palestinians
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged Monday that a "tragic mistake" had been made after an Israeli strike in the southern Gaza city of Rafah set fire to a tent camp housing displaced Palestinians and, according to local officials, killed at least 45 people.
Mike Tyson had medical issue on cross-country flight
Boxing legend Mike Tyson required medical attention after experiencing an 'ulcer flare up' toward the end of a cross-country flight Sunday, his representatives confirmed to the New York Post.
Why Canada's big grocery stores are under investigation
Amid mounting outrage over high grocery prices, a retail expert says there's a solution to fostering more competition in the country.
Arrests made in 'highly orchestrated' GTA auto theft operation: police
Peel Regional Police say they have arrested 16 suspects and issued arrest warrant for another 10 individuals in connection with an auto theft investigation carried out by a 'highly orchestrated criminal operation.'
Indigo Books & Music shareholders vote to approve privatization sale
Indigo Books & Music Inc. shareholders have voted to approve a deal that will see the retailer become a private company.
Cattle rustling comes to Quebec as police investigate suspected theft of entire herd
Quebec provincial police are investigating after an entire herd of about 75 cattle were allegedly stolen in the Eastern Townships region last week.
B.C. senior prepares to move due to devastating effects of fraud
A Courtenay, B.C., senior is downsizing and packing to move as she comes to accept she can no longer afford to stay in her home, after falling victim to a scam that robbed her of her life savings worth more than $100,000.
Canada pledges visas for 5,000 Gaza residents related to Canadians
Canada said on Monday it would grant temporary visas to 5,000 Gaza residents under a special program for Canadians' relatives living in the war-torn enclave, a preparatory move in case they are able to leave in the future.