“By Mario Suarez’s perfect pitching, LA Dodgers won against Colorado Rockies and advanced to World Series! He shut the Rockies out with a no-hitter. Mario Suarez is creating a huge sensation this season. Who knew that orphan kid was going to be a world best baseball player?”
I was forsaken by my parents, and now, every baseball fan becomes enthusiastic in me. I have no memory with my parents or family at all. My parents abandoned me at orphanage when I was at the age of 2. Only because I had no parents, every single person treated me badly. I had to experience all the hardships at the young ages, and through those adverse situations, I had to become a cool headed person. For my 14th birthday present, I got baseball stuff. Since then, baseball has been only friend of mine. I was playing baseball by myself at the park one day as usual. One guy came up to me abruptly, and asked what school I play for. I responded brusquely that I am an African orphan that no one wants to talk to, and, of course, not going to school. Without replying, he took my baseball glove away and posed like catcher. I speculated that he wanted me to pitch and then, I threw the ball to his glove as hard as I could. Ball was sucked into his glove with loud noise. He stood up and said
“Sorry for late introducing. My name is Jordan Henderson. I coach baseball at Cupertino High School. I was watching you pitching for 20 minutes. Would you like to stay with me and play baseball for my team?”
My life was already ruined. I had nothing to lose. I had lived my life in dusky cave. I wanted come out from the gloomy prison, and challenge myself. I acceded his demand. I started to play baseball for Cupertino High School. I couldn’t get along with my teammates until I graduate. To be honest, I did not want to. I showed remarkable activities and got scouted from LA Dodgers. I kept continuing my great performance and became a world best pitcher. And now I take the mound for the World Series game which a dream stage for every baseball player. While getting ready to pitch, one Hispanic lady on the stands attracted my attention. She has come to all the games that I have pitched and always dressed in same and seat in same spot, rain or shine. She has been there since I made debut. Anyway, it is time to be a champion.
“Mario Suarez rewrote history in Major League Baseball today. He led Dodgers to victory in Detroit. What a monster! None of baseball experts predicted Dodgers winning World Series. It totally went against all the odds.”
I had spent 6years in Dodgers, and accomplished everything that I could. I got golden glove, MVP, and World Series ring. I wanted to challenge my limitation and sought the new team. I got a text message from my agent saying he got new contract with Philadelphia Phillies. Now, I am packing my stuffs to leave. I just found the dusty box in a corner of the storage. Wow. It is like ancient relic. I find the glove and bat that I first got for my birthday. What if I didn’t get baseball stuff for my birthday? What would I do for my job? I have lost in thought for long time and throw away the old box. I was going to turn, but I saw the little piece of paper in the box. I band my waist forward to grasp that paper. It is a picture of one woman. Wait… Her face isn’t unfamiliar. I can’t remember where I had seen her. I decide not to care about the picture so much and go watch TV. I made coffee and turn on the TV .World Series highlight goes on the air. Suddenly, the lady’s face is flashed through my mind and I drop the mug. I realize that she is the Hispanic women that always seat on the stands. I am plunged into despair. May be, I get confused with other person. Why is her photo in my box? She can’t be my mom. She abandoned me at the orphanage, and now comes to all of my baseball game? Does she have no conscience? Does she even know that I underwent all sorts of hardships? I detest how she could show up to me. I would never appear to my child if I have forsaken them once for any reason. My heart is burned with hatred. What a perfect timing. I leave to Philadelphia anyway, I don’t have to see her anymore.
“Mario Suarez became a completely different player. I can’t believe that he is last year’s World Series’ MVP! He is having hard times with getting adjust to the new team, Phillies. To make matters worse, Suarez recently injured his right hamstring in a game against the Washington. Daniel Agger, team doctor of Phillies, predicted that he is done with season probably.”


The abysmal season is almost over. I didn’t contribute to the team anything this year, but rather, ruined. Everyone blames me, but that’s okay. They don’t know about anything. I couldn’t focus on baseball because of that one incident. I was mentally unbalanced. I got the depression and insomnia. I drown my pain my pain in alcohol most of the night. Without alcohol, I couldn’t go to sleep. And today we have our last game of the season against Dodgers in Los Angeles. I didn’t want to go, but I had to. The game has started, but I don’t care about the game. I was looking for my mom if she is there unconsciously. However she wasn’t there anymore. I remain calm outwardly, but disappointed. When I was in high school, I envied my teammates since their parents watched their baseball game and cheer for them. I was always alone. Even though she had abandoned me, I missed her at heart. May be, I resented her but never hated her. I decide to look for her.


“Dodgers destroyed Phillies by 13 to 0. Dodgers advanced to the playoffs and Phillies ended up their season as ranked in the last place. It was a terrible season for Phillies. Phillies future depends on how well Suarez pitches.”


I hired some people to find my mom few weeks ago. I just got a call from them. They said she is in hospital and her name is Juana. I am so nervous and worried how she is going to react when she sees me. I have so many questions to ask her. I now arrive at the hospital. I go to the front desk and ask where Juana Suarez’s room is. Nurse replied
“She is having surgery. She was suffering from lung cancer, and the cancer has started to spread to all over her body. The surgery she is having is pretty hazardous. It is 50, 50 chance.”
I dropped into my knees. I should have looked for her last year. I decide to wait in front of the surgery an operating room. 4 hours have passed and the surgery sign turned off. Doctor came out and stand in front of me, saying
“I am sorry. We did our best, but she passed away. It was too late. She told me that she had to go watch Dodgers’ game few weeks ago even though she couldn’t move. I didn’t let her go and next day, her cancer became worse.”
I hope it is a dream. God why are you being so harsh on me? What did I do wrong?
“Sir, here is the bequest from Ms. Suarez” One nurse hands me a paper, and I open it. It is a letter written in poor handwriting.
“Dear son, I heard that you are looking for me. I am sorry that I left you alone. Your father was from Ethiopia and he ran big business in both Ethiopia and America. One day when he was flying out to Ethiopia, the flight crashed. His name was Samuel Eto. Eto was your original last name. I had to raise you by myself, but I couldn’t even feed you well. I had to send you to orphanage in order to provide you a better environment. I know how you had experienced hardships and I apologize for everything. I am so proud of you. You never gave up and overcame adverse situations. Now, you are the best pitcher in the world. Every single baseball fans loves you. I am so proud that you are my son. I will see you in heaven. Son, don’t give up on playing baseball and I loved you more than anything else. I had to watch you from far because of my conscience. I am sorry and I love you…”

“What happened to Mario Suarez? He is completely changed from last year. He successfully threw a no hitter at the opening game against Minnesota Twins. He is insane. Surprisingly, it seems like he gets along with his teammates now. It never happened before!”