This is a great story about a young man who suffered a life changing injury playing college baseball. Thanks to the D-backs he will have a future in MLB even though it will not be as a player.
In 2010, Cory Hahn passed on the chance to sign with the San Diego Padres after being drafted in the 26th round, instead going to Arizona State confident that he'd be drafted again in a few years.
Just three games into his collegiate career, Hahn's dream was shattered when he was paralyzed from the chest down while sliding into second base. But on Saturday, the Diamondbacks revived that dream, selecting the 21-year-old Hahn in the 34th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft.
Out of Mater Dei High School, Hahn was California's Mr. Baseball in 2010. In his third game at ASU, Hahn slid into second base and collided with the opposing second baseman, fracturing his C5 vertebrae. As he lay motionless on the field, he asked ASU coach Tim Esmay if he was on the base. Informed he was safe on the attempted steal, Hahn replied with what became a rallying cry for the Sun Devils.
"da#@ right I'm safe," Hahn said as paramedics removed him from the field. ASU players still wear wristbands bearing the phrase.
Though Hahn won't man his old position in the outfield for the D-backs, Hall said the team wants to make its selection of him more than just a gesture.
"We want to make this permanent," Hall said. "We don't want to make it just about the selection and about him being a draft pick but about working here in full-time employment with the Diamondbacks. Hopefully we'll make that come to fruition for he and his family here soon."
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