St. Louis Cardinals 2005 supplemental first round draft pick Mark McCormick tried to achieve his professional dream of reaching the major leagues but had to abandon his quest due to injuries.
After five seasons of trying, the former Baylor star, taken 46th overall in 2005, was released by the Cardinals in December 2009. The right-hander had spent most of the interim period either injured or rehabbing. The Texan had missed all of the 2009 season after his fifth surgery, intended to relieve arthritis in his pitching shoulder.
McCormick is now attempting a comeback by undergoing a controversial and unproven stem cell procedure in the Grand Cayman Islands. The treatment, illegal in the USA, involves the replanting of a person’s own stem cells to enhance the body’s healing.
This procedure received considerable attention this last season when Bartolo Colon revived his MLB career to the point he could throw 95 MPH. At age 38, Colon pitched 164 innings for the Yankees with a 4.00 ERA after having sat out all of the 2010 season.
McCormick was featured in a recent feature of ESPN’s Outside the Lines. It follows. Then, weigh in on the poll below.
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