Posted 2/4/2004 11:09 PM
Persistence pays off in big way
By Rod Beaton, USA TODAY
Arizona minor league outfielder Luis Terrero might owe his life to Kansas City third baseman Jarrod Patterson
Outfielder Luis Terrero, left, is tied forever to Dominican Winter League teammate Jarrod Patterson.
AP photos
During a game in November, while both were playing for La Romana in the Dominican Winter League, Patterson insisted Terrero be taken to a hospital, where Terrero was diagnosed with a blood clot.
Chad Tracy, another La Romana player who is one of Arizona's top prospects, witnessed the events and relayed them to Diamondbacks farm director Tommy Jones.
"He gave me a word-by-word telling of what was said, what was done, everything," Jones says. "He said he was told (by doctors), without a shadow of a doubt, that Jarrod Patterson saved Luis Terrero's life. No question."
Patterson made his spot, amateur diagnosis after he came off the field and saw Terrero in the training room with his non-throwing left shoulder swelled "larger than his legs," Tracy told Jones.
"Chad said it was grotesque," Jones says. "The trainer was putting on ice packs. He said it must be some sort of allergic reaction.
"Patterson very strongly told the trainer, 'Are you kidding me? Get this guy to a doctor.' The trainer said, 'No, no, no.' I asked Tracy, was this one of the U.S. trainers? They have some in the Dominican. He said, 'No, La Romana didn't have any.'
"J.P. raised his voice and threatened violence to the trainer if he didn't call an ambulance and get to a good hospital in Santo Domingo."
The hospital physicians said the blood clot might well have been fatal if treated with nothing more than ice, Jones says.
Terrero was flown to a hospital in St. Louis for surgery. He didn't return to winter ball but has recovered and expects to be ready for spring training.
Patterson, 30, is a well-traveled third baseman who has played in the New York Mets, Pittsburgh, Arizona, Montreal, Detroit and now Kansas City organizations.
Terrero, 23, is a gifted center fielder from the Dominican Republic.
"He has all five tools," says Jones, referring to power hitting, hitting for average, a strong arm, speed and strong defense. "He could be our center fielder of the future."
Patterson will get his reward if Terrero ever helps the Diamondbacks back to the World Series.
"A half share for sure," Jones says.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2004-02-04-teammates-save-life_x.htm
Persistence pays off in big way
By Rod Beaton, USA TODAY
Arizona minor league outfielder Luis Terrero might owe his life to Kansas City third baseman Jarrod Patterson
Outfielder Luis Terrero, left, is tied forever to Dominican Winter League teammate Jarrod Patterson.
AP photos
During a game in November, while both were playing for La Romana in the Dominican Winter League, Patterson insisted Terrero be taken to a hospital, where Terrero was diagnosed with a blood clot.
Chad Tracy, another La Romana player who is one of Arizona's top prospects, witnessed the events and relayed them to Diamondbacks farm director Tommy Jones.
"He gave me a word-by-word telling of what was said, what was done, everything," Jones says. "He said he was told (by doctors), without a shadow of a doubt, that Jarrod Patterson saved Luis Terrero's life. No question."
Patterson made his spot, amateur diagnosis after he came off the field and saw Terrero in the training room with his non-throwing left shoulder swelled "larger than his legs," Tracy told Jones.
"Chad said it was grotesque," Jones says. "The trainer was putting on ice packs. He said it must be some sort of allergic reaction.
"Patterson very strongly told the trainer, 'Are you kidding me? Get this guy to a doctor.' The trainer said, 'No, no, no.' I asked Tracy, was this one of the U.S. trainers? They have some in the Dominican. He said, 'No, La Romana didn't have any.'
"J.P. raised his voice and threatened violence to the trainer if he didn't call an ambulance and get to a good hospital in Santo Domingo."
The hospital physicians said the blood clot might well have been fatal if treated with nothing more than ice, Jones says.
Terrero was flown to a hospital in St. Louis for surgery. He didn't return to winter ball but has recovered and expects to be ready for spring training.
Patterson, 30, is a well-traveled third baseman who has played in the New York Mets, Pittsburgh, Arizona, Montreal, Detroit and now Kansas City organizations.
Terrero, 23, is a gifted center fielder from the Dominican Republic.
"He has all five tools," says Jones, referring to power hitting, hitting for average, a strong arm, speed and strong defense. "He could be our center fielder of the future."
Patterson will get his reward if Terrero ever helps the Diamondbacks back to the World Series.
"A half share for sure," Jones says.
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2004-02-04-teammates-save-life_x.htm
