The Underdog Story
I love the underdog story. Today I get to write about one that is close to my heart. I want to introduce you to Daniel Nava. If you are a sports fanatic than you have probably heard the buzz about his first game in the major leagues. More on that to come. I grew up with Daniel. We both went to a small school in San Carlos, Ca where we shared a passion for sports. He was a couple years younger but had a magnetic personality making him a super likable guy. Daniel and his whole family are amazing people and have been as long as I have known them. His dad, who we all affectionately called, “Coach” never ceased to provide a healthy balance of encouragement and “bust you in the butt” pep talks. He’s the real deal.
Daniel was so athletic and gifted in sports that there wasn’t anything he couldn’t play and do well at. The thing was, he had a small frame in Jr high and high school. I think he was around 4’11″ 70lbs his freshman year. His whole life people told him he was too small but he never quit.
Initially cut as a walk on at Santa Clara University, Nava went to JC and excelled, ultimately returning to Santa Clara for his senior season. He went undrafted and again proved the doubters wrong by doing extremely well in independent baseball in 2007, earning the spot as Baseball America’s #1 independent prospect. He then proceeded to win the California League batting crown in 2008, albeit at the age of 25. Following an early-season injury in 2009, he went on to dominate the Carolina League and the Eastern League in limited at-bats.
He was called up to Majors to play with the Red Sox. The rest is history. His first time at bat, first pitch, he hits a grand slam home run. He is the 2nd person to ever hit a grand slam on first pitch.
Watch this!
