Chicago White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar took an incredible step forward in his recovery on Friday night as he threw out the first pitch before his team’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Farquhar, who just over a month ago suffered a ruptured aneurysm that led to a brain hemorrhage, spent 18 days in intensive care after the frightening ordeal, and he feels grateful to be alive and able to experience the standing ovation he got before the game.
"I prepared myself for today and it caught me off guard the whole team coming out to the mound," he said. "That was really special.
The Sox hurler is making incredible strides in his recovery, but it's been a tough road forward, as he said that he doesn't remember anything about the incident.
"My last memory is walking to the bullpen," he said. "I don’t have any memories of the game. Four or five days after the surgery is my first memory after."
Farquhar pitched in the team's April 20 game against the Houston Astros, but after coming back into the dugout he collapsed and lost consciousness. He was rushed to a local hopsital, where he spent nearly three weeks in the intensive care unit with his wife at his side.
"It could’ve turned so quickly, you really learn to appreciate your wife and kids so much more," he said, fighting back tears. "The prayers everybody gave had to help. It puts life in perspective."
Chicago Baseball
Farquhar does hope to pitch again in competitive baseball, and he allowed that competitiveness to shine through while recounting what was a life-changing experience.
"I couldn’t believe they put me on the 60 day DL," he said with a laugh. "When they put me in ICU I thought I’d be ready to go in a week. I’ve been working out hard, and the ability to be out there, I’m really fortunate. Just being able to throw out a first pitch was incredible."
