Ryan Westmoreland Retires

[Jaypers]

I was really hoping for a happy ending for this kid and his story, but alas, it was not to be.



Ryan Westmoreland Retires: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com

Ryan Westmoreland Retires
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [March 6, 2013 at 12:52pm CST]
Ryan Westmoreland, a former top prospect with the Red Sox, announced his retirement from professional baseball, Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports. The 22-year-old underwent brain surgery in 2010 and worked to revive his pro career before suffering a setback and having a second surgery.

"Although it is a very difficult decision for me, it has become clear that the neurological damage caused by the most recent cavernous malformation and surgery leaves me with physical challenges that make it impossible to play the game at such a high level," Westmoreland told reporters.

The Red Sox selected Westmoreland in the fifth round of the 2008 draft, signing him to a $2MM bonus. He posted a .296/.401/.484 batting line as a 19-year-old at Class A the following year, and Baseball America ranked him 21st among MLB prospects leading up to the 2010 campaign.

 

[rebelpawn]

Crap.
I really think he could have been amazing. I hope he lives a long healthy life. Seems like a good kid

 

[Keyser Soze]

Sad to hear. I followed him somewhat closely because I had him on my fantasy baseball prospect squad for a while. Hopefully he gets a good job coaching or something else that'll allow him to stay around the game. And I hope he was smart with that $2M

 

[MaineMule]

Wishing him good health and good luck in his future endeavors.

[h=1]Red Sox prospect Westmoreland announces retirement[/h] By Ian Browne / MLB.com | 03/06/2013 2:30 PM ET



FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Ryan Westmoreland, a former top prospect for the Red Sox, announced his retirement from baseball on Wednesday by e-mailing a small group of media members.
The Rhode Island native had to have surgery to repair a cavernous malformation in his brain in Spring Training 2010. The delicacy of the surgery and the complications that immediately followed made it a life-threatening period of time for Westmoreland.
Still, the outfielder tried to return to the game that he loved and stayed in Boston's farm system in the ensuing years.
Westmoreland served as a designated hitter in some instructional league games in the Dominican Republic in December 2011. However, Westmoreland had a setback with his condition last July and had to have another surgery -- the one that ultimately led to his retirement.
"With a clear mind and heart, as well as the unwavering support and friendship of my family, friends, agent(s), doctors, therapists and the Boston Red Sox, I have decided to voluntarily retire as a professional baseball player," Westmoreland wrote in his e-mail. "Although it is a very difficult decision for me, it has become clear that the neurological damage caused by the most recent cavernous malformation and surgery leaves me with physical challenges that make it impossible to play the game at such a high level."
The 22-year-old was a standout player at Portsmouth High School in Rhode Island and was selected by the Red Sox in the fifth round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
He was able to play in just one Minor League season, hitting .296 with seven homers, 35 RBIs and 19 stolen bases in 60 games for Class A Lowell in 2009.
The reason Westmoreland was such an enticing prospect was because of his combination of speed, power and defense. He was considered a classic five-tool player.
"In my heart, I know that I have worked as hard as one possibly could to overcome the obstacles presented by this unfortunate series of events," Westmoreland wrote. "It is with that confidence that I am comfortable turning the page, and searching for 'the reason' that this has happened. I believe that there is a plan for me that will utilize my experiences, however painful some may have been, to do something special in my life. It is time for me to find that path and to pursue it with the same focus and effort that I pursued the dream of playing professional baseball."

 

[Topnotchsy]

Best wishes to him on his health and life going forward... Sad to hear.

 

[notjomommasclint]

I liked the kids character and heart!


I'm old Greg

 

[BiggioBrooks755]

What caused this tp happen to him? Was it beaseball related?

Sad to hear and wish him the best

 

[mwashuc06]

He would have been close to what a left handed Trout would be, thought this kid was a surefire AS when I saw him play in 2009. I have a signed ball of his and was a great kid to talk to when I saw him in Oneonta in 2009. It is a ball I will not probably get rid of

 

[VandyDan]

Some may not know that he was a Vanderbilt commit prior to signing and was very very close to going down to Nashville.

Obviously a high character kid and someone whose career I'd been following and really hoping for a strong recovery. I have no doubts he'll be a success in whatever he chooses to do.

 

[Jaypers]

What caused this tp happen to him? Was it beaseball related?

Sad to hear and wish him the best

It was brain related.

 

[gt2590]

Damn...

 

[BiggioBrooks755]

It was brain related.

No, I mean did it happen to him while he was playing baseball, or was it something that just happened?

 

[rehmus]

The writing's been on the wall for awhile but this still really upsets me. I just expected his story to play out like a movie for some reason. I don't know why, maybe it was his attitude about everything.

 

[scotty216brs]

Ah, that's too bad. There was some hope after the first surgery, it may have taken a few years to get back the rest of his game but man he could still swing a bat like it was nothing. That would have been an incredible comeback story but sadly after the second surgery it was not meant to be. I read that he is going to college and eventually does want to get back into baseball into some capacity whether it be a coach or trainer, etc...that would be nice to see. I wish him the best of luck and good health in his future, as this unfortunate brain injury had to happen to the nicest kid you would ever meet.

No, I mean did it happen to him while he was playing baseball, or was it something that just happened?

It just happened. No rhyme or reason, but sadly it had to happen to someone with as much talent as he had.