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Jake Peavy, the seasoned right handed pitcher from the Boston Red Sox that will start in tonight's Game 4 in the American League Championship Series, didn't always call Boston home. Peavy, in fact, was originally drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 15th round (472nd overall) in 1999 out of St. Paul's Episcopal School. After his draft, Peavy quickly ascended through the Padres organization, making it to the Padres main roster in just 3 short years; making his debut June 22, 2002 against the Yankees. Peavy leaving a wake of greatness within the Padres organization,won the Players Choice Award for Outstanding NL Pitcher in 2007, as well as being awarded the Cy Young Award that very same year, making him the 10th NL player in history to win the Cy Young Award in a unanimous vote. Since the year of his draft, Peavy has played for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox and now with the Boston Red Sox where tonight he takes the mound at Comerica park to take on the Detroit Tigers.
In his interview yesterday, Peavy seemed aware of the challenges he will face in tonight's game and doesn't seemed phased at the Tigers lineup, though he did elude to the fact that all Tigers players are capable of doing some damage, giving a nod to the Tigers extraordinarily talented batters, especially giving Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder notice. He seemed to be keenly aware of his challenge of keeping both of them within the park tonight. Overall, the even keeled pitcher didn't seemed phased outwardly to his upcoming challenges in tonight's game. He seems to plan on playing tonight's game as he does all others, with precision and skill
Sean McCall, the talented and charismatic broadcaster for the San Diego Padres affiliate A+ team, The Lake Elsinore Storm, has seen the greats in the Padres current lineup pass through the minors up to where they reside today. When asking McCall on how he felt in regards to Jake Peavy as a person and a ball player, he said "when I talk about Jake Peavy, it's with a smile and Storm pride. He is forever linked to Storm lore, starring as a 19-year-old on the 2001 Minor League Team of the Year. To have the kind of success Jake has achieved, one must have competitive greatness, and that's what he's all about on the field. I love rooting for him anytime of the year, especially in October, and I hope he gets to celebrate this season as a World Series Champion!" I think we all agree with Sean McCall in collective Padre pride for the seasoned pitcher; its a source of pride to watch a player nurtured within your affiliate rise to great heights, and that is what the Padres affiliate has with Jake Peavy.
I feel I speak for all when I wish him well on the mound tonight at Comerica Park.