*** Diamonds In the Rough - Ryan Shealy ***

The My Sportsbook

by Andrew Cushman, Minor League Baseball Editor

Hatboro, PA (My Sportsbook) - Good thing Ryan Shealy's father taught him about perseverance and hard work. Otherwise, Tulsa's slugging first baseman may have given up on a promising career and life-long dream years ago.

"In college I had a big-time surgery on my elbow," said Shealy, a polite and powerful Fort Lauderdale, Fla. resident. "It was a huge setback. I missed my whole sophomore year of college, lost a whole year of eligibility. It was a pretty long road back. It's not common for a first baseman to have elbow surgery either, but for whatever reason I had it."

That was just the beginning of Shealy's injury woes.

"I've had a couple of low points," he said. "I had that, and then, my junior year of college, I had my knee scoped, so I ended up missing more time. Then last year, I had my other knee scoped, so I missed like the first 40 games of last year. So pretty much it's been if I'm healthy... and I feel good, it's a blessing for me."

It's also a blessing for whatever team Shealy suits up for.

As of August 8th, Shealy was leading the Texas League with 24 home runs, 76 RBI and 223 total bases. He also had a Texas League best on-base-percentage of .415 and .588 slugging percentage.

Shealy's .319 average and 75 runs scored rank second in the league, while his 52 walks are seventh in the league and 24 doubles eighth.

All this from a player the Baseball America didn't rank in the top 30 players in Minor League Baseball -- much less the Colorado Rockies farm system.

"I don't even really pay attention to any of that stuff because none of that has any real bearing on whether you make it to the big leagues or not," Shealy said. "Everyone is on the same level and if you can find a way to get better everyday and catch a few breaks, you'll end up in the big leagues. So, I don't put a whole lot of stock into that."

What Shealy did buy into was his father's teachings and lessons on life.

"My dad is a high school football coach and has been for about 30 years," Shealy said. "He taught me good work ethic and the perseverance that I feel I need to succeed. He pretty much instilled (them) in me at a young age."

Now 24-years-old, Shealy is ready to fulfill his dream of playing Major League Baseball. Not naive, however, Shealy also realizes that a bona-fide stud named Todd Helton currently mans his position with the Colorado Rockies. Helton is a five-time All Star, who has won two Gold Gloves and most likely isn't moving anywhere for the foreseeable future.

"You know it is (difficult), it is, but you know it's something that I don't really think about," Shealy said. "There are other clubs out there and I've been asked this question many times and I'm sure a bunch of other people have too, but it's just something you think about, but not really. I'm just trying to work as hard as I can everyday and hopefully if I don't make it with the Rockies, I'll make it with somebody."

Asked about his thoughts on the passing of the Major League trade deadline and remaining with the Rockies despite Helton's presence, Shealy remained insightfully honest.

"That's one of the things that's out of my control," said Shealy, Colorado's 11th round pick in the 2002 draft. "That's why we have a front office and that's why they make those decisions. I didn't really pay much attention to it. If I got traded, I did. And if not, I like my team here. It's not something that I really gave too much thought to.

"A lot of people don't make it to the big leagues with the club that drafted them. You really never know what's going to happen. Different teams have different needs and, of course, I'd love to make it with the Rockies. But, if that's not the case, then that's not the case. There's not a whole lot of control I have over it. If I thought about it too much I'd drive myself nuts."

For now, Shealy is content to drive opposing pitchers crazy, although there remains only one objective.

"It's obviously every kids' dream (to make the big leagues,)" said Shealy, "You sacrifice a lot to reach that ultimate goal.

"It's certainly something that I'm working hard everyday to make it. Like I said, it's just something you think about from the time you're little. You've always wanted to make it and it seems like I'm getting closer and closer every year."

Hard work and perseverance will do that for you.