19 July 2007

Hose’s success strengthened by determination

By Torey Dingmann

GateHouse News Service
Thu Jul 19, 2007

Bourne - Picture this: You’ve just signed a contract to be a part of the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League, competing with the top athletes from around the country to play baseball for the Bourne Braves. 

    To East Carolina University’s right-handed pitcher T.J. Hose, the words “excitement, relief, and pressure” come to mind. Hose is not a stranger to the Cape League; he was invited a year ago to play for the Cotuit Kettleers, but an injury sent him home early, leaving him heartbroken and discouraged. 

    “Playing for this league is all T.J. ever wanted to do. It’s an accomplishment in itself,” said his parents, Carol and Terry Hose at Doran Park while admiring their son’s pitching talent against the Hyannis Mets last week. 

    Hose spent all school year preparing to make his debut in Bourne and hoping to give his team a chance to win as a member of one of the best Bourne teams the town has seen in years.

    He signed a temporary contract, meaning that his performance would determine whether he’d be given the opportunity to stay or be let go. That there was a chance T.J. might not finish the summer didn’t discourage him. By luck and pure talent, he ended up doing just what he said he came to do. He picked up three wins in his first four games, and he gave his team a chance to win. His ERA of 0.42 is tied for first in the Cape League with Falmouth’s Aaron Crow.

    When Hose officially turned from an unsure temporary player to a definite contract starter, he could finally play without looking over his shoulder. 

    “It was a huge relief, and a great joy,” admitted Hose. 

    The sign of relief around Bourne was not just exhaled by T.J., but by his fans and host family, the McGonagles. The local couple has put a lot of time and effort into the Cape League. Kevin McGonagle announces Bourne Braves’ home game at Doran Park. Kevin and Donna McGonagle have been just as supportive as his real parents, attending all his games, cheering him on and keeping a relaxing, pleasurable environment for T.J. to live in. Being this far from home isn’t easy, but having a great host family makes it that much easier to perform your best. 

    “T.J. has always been a hard worker and strong competitor, even in his younger years,” said his mother Carol. “What is meant to be will be, and a little faith and confidence will get you just as far.”

    In his senior year of high school (2004), T.J. made Team Maryland and was invited to play at the Baltimore Orioles’ Camden Yards. 

    “He thought warming up in the bullpen was the coolest thing, and standing on the mound was even better,” said his mother. 

    Having grown up with a ball and bat in his hands since he was 2, Hose got his chance to play the role of a Baltimore Oriole that day when he pitched a winning game and received the Most Valuable Player award.

    “It’s like watching an all-star,” beamed Carol. 

    Statistically, T.J. hopes to someday measure up to the standards of a major league baseball player, but knows his determination, positive attitude and competitive skills are the key to what will ease him into professional baseball.

    Whether or not Hose’s skills translate to big league bseball, one thing is clear: If determination has any say in it, expect to see T.J. Hose in the majors down the road. From being injured in Cotuit to making the Braves as a temp, Hose’s “never-give-up” attitude shines brightly and is worthy of a place in the Cape Cod Baseball League. 

    Torey Dingmann is an intern for the Bourne Braves and is a junior at Salem State College majoring in Communications.