Copacetic

thedailywhat:

Heartwarming Tearjerker of the Day: University of Georgia junior outfielder Johnathan Taylor was partially paralyzed earlier this year after colliding with teammate Zach Cone during a game against Florida State. Today Taylor — who is not yet able to walk on his own — was picked by the Texas Rangers in the 33rd round of the MLB draft.

“We thought selecting Johnathan was the right thing to do,” Rangers’ director of amateur scouting Kip Flagg said in a statement. “We would have drafted him either way, regardless of any other circumstances involving his injury or Zach’s draft status.” (Cone was drafted by the Rangers on Monday.)

“Our area scout in Georgia, Ryan Coe, has had a relationship with Johnathan since he was a high school player,” Flagg’s statement went on to say. “The club has always liked his passion and ability as a player. … Taking Johnathan in the draft today, it was something we felt was right.”

Taylor, who broke his neck and bruised his spinal cord in the collision, still has plenty of rehabilitation work ahead of him, and his doctor told ESPN he was unlikely to regain full use of his legs.

But, for the moment, his spirits couldn’t be higher. “When I talked to him after he got the call,” said Georgia coach David Perno, “he was in the middle of his rehabilitation work, laughing and having a good time and was thrilled to be drafted.”

The Rangers weren’t alone in their heartfelt gesture of support: Seven rounds after Taylor, the Houston Astros drafted San Jacinto College reliever Buddy Lamothe, who was paralyzed in a diving accident last month.

[cnn / yahoo / mlb / photo: ap via ajc / thanks benjamin!]

(via kclark1007)