Arizona Diamondbacks: One long shot with a dream that never died
By Mark Brown
Righthander Ryan Atkinson of the Arizona Diamondbacks is on a mission, and that includes a ring.
With only a few days into camp, one thing is pretty certain for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The starting rotation of Zack Greinke, Zack Godley, Patrick Corbin, Taijuan Walker and Robbie Ray is pretty much set in stone.
Those on the bubble, like Matt Koch, the starter in the Cactus League opener Friday, Braden Shipley and Anthony Banda, until he traded earlier this week, were considered longshots at best to even creep into the thinking of decision-makers.
To those with the slightest chance to make the 25-man roster, which will break camp late next month, right-hander Ryan Atkinson perhaps has the longest odds. Despite a slim to no chance of making the club on opening day, Atkinson’s story, nonetheless, is both enlightening and inspirational.
For those who ever thought of giving up their dream, failed to inspire and lacked motivation, speak with Atkinson. With an ever-present smile and warm hand-shake, the 24-year-old native of Cincinnati leaves the impression of an athlete not quite ready to flip on a desk lamp at a 9-5, Monday through Friday exercise in drudgery.
Just two years ago, that was the situation faced.