The Beginning
What’s going on everybody my name is James Keithley and I was recently picked up in the 2008 draft by the Washington Nationals. I was born in San Francisco, California but grew up most of my life in San Antonio, Texas. After high school I attended UTSA (University of Texas @ San Antonio) for 3 years before now when I entered the draft. I am now currently in Short Season Single A playing for the Vermont Lake Monsters.
It’s truly funny how I can sit and think back that everything I have ever worked for came down to one day. The day of the draft was anticipated like a little kid waiting on Christmas. I had gotten calls but nothing was a for sure thing but it was still my life long dream coming down to one day. So me and my dad got together on the first day and watched the first couple rounds go by seeing names that I have played against for quite sometime. First day of anticipation goes by and no calls, nothing. I didn’t think much of it because they had only gotten through the first 6 rounds. So day 2 started a little early and this was it, it would be today or I would have to wait another year to see if I could get better. This might have been one the most stressful days of my life. All the anticipation built up all day and as the day kept going more and more did I get discouraged that it wasn’t going to happen. Once the 30th round hit I had to just get out and go do something because I was pretty upset about it. And sure enough not long later after I get to the field to work out my good buddy, Jake calls me and says hey man you just got drafted. My response was shut up man don’t play like that. But it had really happened because now all of a sudden the congratulations came in mass texts messages and calls were coming at me left and right. In that one instant I had realized that my life long dream of becoming a professional baseball player had become true.
As a 39th rounder I was not sure about going but in the end I was ready to start my life and get out there and start playing. I’m excited to be apart of this organization and I could not be happier right now knowing that I am that much closer to my life long dream.
- Till next time this James Keithley over and out.