Deaf Baseball Player Curtis Pride Gives Hope to Hearing Impaired Athletes

Curtis Pride did not make national headlines when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels last week. Although most people have never heard of the 38 year old journeyman outfielder, Curtis Pride has plenty of fans across America. Most of this fans are deaf. Thats right, deaf fans, this is because Pride himself is deaf. For the last 20 years Pride has played professional baseball and although the road has been rocky he prides himself on giving hope to deaf kids across America. Pride said:

"Every time I take the field in a Big League uniform I show the deaf children of America that it is possible to play Major League Baseball. And keeping the hopes of children alive is what keeps me playing baseball. I am 38 years old and have been in the game along time and I am not going to retire. They will have to chase me out of the game. I am going to play as long as I possible can Major Leagues, Minor Leagues or whatever. Because it doesn't matter if the children see me on national television or in some small town Minor League ballpark it keeps their dreams and hopes alive"

Pride was drafted in the 10th round of the 1986 draft by the New York Mets out of William and Mary College. After spending six years in the Mets organization Pride was granted free agency and signed with the Montreal Expos. After a strong season in AAA Pride was called up the the Major Leagues in September of 1993. He spent the last month of the 93 season with the Expos and played well in limited action (10 games).

Pride was injured during the strike shortened 1994 season and did not play in the Major Leagues. Pride spent the 95 season being shuffled between AAA and the Major Leagues. Although he hit well over .300 in that year in AAA, he only hit .175 in the Major Leagues. And in 63 major league at bats he only had one extra base hit. Montreal released then Pride at the end of the season.