Life of a baseball journeyman

Sean Rodriguez will never forget April 19, 2008.

He enjoyed a hug and a few tears that day with Salt Lake Bees manager Bobby Mitchell, who told Rodriguez he was headed to the majors for the first time.

Rodriguez’s day ended with a single in his third at-bat while playing for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

“I vividly remember hitting it past [Seattle Mariners third baseman] Adrian Beltre to Raul Ibanez in left field,” Rodriguez said. “I worked out the previous two or three offseasons with Raul. As he picked up the ball and threw it in, I could see the smile on his face.

“I didn’t play for a week after that, but I was OK with that. I got that first hit off my shoulders. It’s been an amazing ride ever since.”

That ride of nearly 10 seasons in the majors included four playoff appearances, four trips to the disabled list, three trades, one fatal car crash and parts of 11 years riding buses in the minor leagues.

Rodriguez and fellow journeymen Shane Robinson, Phil Gosselin, Rob Brantly, Lane Adams and Andrew Romine started this season as members of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.

They have endured as much as they have succeeded on a baseball field and off it.

Their lengthy, emotionally grueling journeys included stints at baseball’s highest level but were followed by return trips to the minors, offseasons of uncertainty, family drama and lots of packing.

Their professional choice is one many fans wish upon themselves. It has come at a price for their bodies, minds and personal lives. Yet, every player knew what they signed up for.

None could have done it without support.

“God definitely helps me keep it together,” said Rodriguez, whose family survived a Jan. 2017 car crash in which the suspect who stole the police cruiser that crashed into his SUV did not.