From Substitute Teacher To Major League Pitcher
What a difference a year can make. This time last summer, Stephen Ridings was preparing for the school year at Palm Beach Maritime Academy in Lantana, Florida. But, after substitute teaching up until this past March, Ridings has found his way from the classroom to Yankees Stadium.
According to USA Today, Ridings left his teaching job shortly after signing with the New York Yankees organization. He pitched well enough for two of their Minor League squads that the Yankees called him up to the Bronx in August.
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This is not Ridings’ first professional baseball experience. He was actually pitching for the Kansas City Royals minor league team in 2019. COVID canceled the 2020 Minor League season so, out of necessity, Ridings made the move to substitute teaching.
Fortunately for Ridings, he was able to join a gym in Florida that is run by Yankees director of player health and performance Eric Cressey. It was Cressey who’d send a tape of the teacher with the blazing 100 mph fastball to the Yankees. And just like that, Stephen Ridings was done taking attendance.
So how’s it going in the Majors? Stephen Ridings has allowed only four hits in five appearances this season and the Yankees are expected to use him in their push for the postseason. This story reminds me of Kurt Warner, who went from bagging groceries to Super Bowl-winning quarterback and NFL MVP in the 1990s.
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