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Most major league players have a lot of stories to tell. But Steve Blass might have more than most. He went from a skinny prospect in the tiny Connecticut town of Falls Village to become the star pitcher on a World Series team, where he befriended a baseball icon.
But he has been remembered for the strange malady that ended his career and has reportedly struck pitchers including Rick Ankiel and Dontrelle Willis. In the middle of a successful pitching career, Blass just suddenly lost the ability to pitch. It wasn't do to an injury or a diagnosed mental issue though. He just couldn't pitch.
Blass has a new book out called A Pirate For Life where he discusses "Steve Blass Disease" and his post playing career as a color commentator for the Pirates.
Speaking on WNPR's Where We Live, Blass spoke of his friend and baseball legend Roberto Clemente on a pedestal. "He had the ability to turn a 10-year Major League veteran into a 10-year-old kid because you didn't want to take your eyes off of him," said Blass.
When it came to "Steve Blass Disease," the namesake said, "To this day, I don't know what happened exactly." But looking back, Blass said he was lucky that it hit him at the end of his career. Despite all of the setbacks, he said he moved on with his life and now sleeps soundly.
