War veteran Daniel Jacobs attends open session, despite having mechanical leg.
In potentially the most heart-warming story of the MLB pre-season so far, a war veteran has earned a tryout on the LA Dodgers baseball team, according to Bleacher Report.
Dan Jacobs was one of 80 people that were invited to the session in Arizona, where trialists went through all the drills that would have been required of the professionals. Jacobs participated in all activities.
Unfortunately neither Jacobs nor any of the other 80 participants were signed to a short-term deal, but his story is one that many people will not forget for a while.
Jacobs was left without a left leg and damaged hands after a road mine exploded seven years ago.
To see him wear a mitt and field ground balls with a titanium leg is a true sign of succeeding through adversity, and that it is possible to play sport despite any physical handicap.
This was unlikely to be a publicity stunt either by the Dodgers. They want to find the best talent that is available and they do not want to waste any tryout spots, so they obviously believed that Jacobs had enough ability to at least warrant a tryout.
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