Open heart surgery this spring was thought to end the career of Houston Astros third baseman Aaron Boone, but it looks like that may not be so. Boone was recently cleared by doctors to begin working out and begin his comeback to Major League Baseball.
Boone underwent heart surgery in March to replace an aortic valve.
He was born with a defective aortic valve, but first learned of the health risk while playing baseball at Southern Cal, and he knew that eventually he would need surgery. However, he didn’t think the need would arise at age 36.
Despite not showing any symptoms, a physical exam in spring training alerted doctors to the worsening problem with Boone’s heart and they recommended he not play any longer without having the valve replaced.
“I honestly never said ‘why me,’ why not me?” Boone said in a recent interview with ESPN.
Boone is considered to be one of the nicest and most humble players in the major leagues and has been loved by teammates and fans every where he has played.
He originally broke into the majors with the Cincinnati Reds in 1997.
Boone played with the Reds until 2003, and then played with the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins and Washington Nationals.
Last year with the Nationals, Boone hit six homers and with a .241 batting average.
His recovery was expected to take several months, but just three months following surgery, Boone has begun working out six days a week in hopes of not just returning to the Astros, but he feels the likelihood of him returning this season is very good.
“I feel like I owe it to myself, I owe it to the Astros, I owe it to somebody that it may affect in a positive way, to say ‘hey, I can get back,’ and I know I can,” Boone said.
It will take about four weeks for Boone to recovery his strength and stamina to be able to play again, but one thing he has going for him is he’s an athlete and was in good shape prior to the surgery.
Another thing Boone has going for him is his positive attitude.
I wish Boone a full and speedy recovery. He’s the type of guy that deserves it.

OILERS INK A PAIR
The Tulsa Oilers signed a pair of players in the last week - veteran center Aaron Davis and returning defenseman Peter Kennedy.
Davis split last season between Texas and Rocky Mountain.
The 29-year-old has played 342 professional games, and needs just three goals to reach 100 for his pro career.
“Aaron will give us experience and great leadership,” Oilers coach Bruce Ramsay said. “He’s coming off a year with over a point a game, and finished really strong.”
In 35 games with Texas and Rocky Mountain, Davis had a total of 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points.
Kennedy was limited to 28 games with the Oilers last year when a broken thumb shortened his season.
Kennedy had one goal and seven assists and 28 penalty minutes.

DRILLERS ARE HOME
The Tulsa Drillers open a six-game home stand Thursday as the Corpus Christi Hooks come to town for a three game set, followed by the San Antonio Missions for three.
Three Drillers legends from the 1990s will be featured on a bobble head that will be given to the first 1,000 fans Friday night, and Saturday’s game features a post-game fireworks show. Game times are 7:05 p.m., except Sunday at 6:05 p.m.

TALONS RETURN HOME
Following a week off, the Tulsa Talons (11-2) return home this weekend to play the Rio Grande Valley Dorados (7-6) at 7 p.m. Saturday at the BOK Center.
[Jeff Brucculeri is a member of the National Sportscaster and Sportswriters Association and the Football Writers Association of America. He can be contacted at:  jeffb@tulsabeacon.com.]

This entry was posted on Thursday, July 9th, 2009 and is filed under Columns, Sports.