Former Houston Astros’ pitcher Brandon Backe happy with life after baseball - MLB News
Brandon Backe found it hard to come to terms with a retirement forced by injuries that came after eight years of Major League play in 2009. However, the former Houston Astros starting pitcher has settled well in life after baseball.
The former pitcher was recently invited by the Houston ball club for their annual CAREavan event earlier this month. Brandon was pleased that the Astros remembered him, a club that he grew up adoring. He said that Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio were his big
inspirations in baseball and he has been an Astros’ fan since he was a baby.
"For the Astros to give me a call and ask me, it means a lot to me," Backe said. "I put in a number of years with the Astros and, if at all possible, I'd like to do whatever I can for the organization"
Backe started his career in the Major League with the Tampa Bay Rays and played with them for two seasons. He was acquired by the Astros in 2004 as a trade for Geoff Blum and remained with the Astros until 2009, when he was forced to retire due to a Tommy
John Surgery that was followed by a shoulder injury.
His best year in the Majors came in 2005 when he posted a 10-8 winning record with a 4.76 ERA in 26 games, 25 of them as a starting pitcher. He posed a 31-29 career record with a 5.23 career ERA.
Currently he is operating a baseball academy in Alvin, Texas. He finds it a way to stay connected with the game and also suits his family schedule. A father of a 14-month-old baby boy, Brandon and his wife distribute the baby’s care taking.
"It works out well with my wife, because she's a teacher and works all day and I can work at night and have the boy during the day," Backe said.
He likes to teach the kids as he loves it when they understand what he is teaching them. Brandon says that he feels like he is back into his playing days. He also joked about hoping that his son can make it to the Majors and keep his name in the game.
He said, "But baseball-wise, it keeps me in the game, and I get to share a lot of interaction that maybe some of these kids don't get. I see a lot of reward in seeing a kid understand what I'm teaching them."
Brandon Backe was a talented pitcher whose career was unfortunately cut short by injuries. He has, however, settled well in life after retiring relatively early and is playing his role in the development of young and upcoming players by running the baseball
academy. One hopes that he has all the success in his future endeavours.
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