Comeback Story Going According To Script For Rockies' Ottavino
By Mark Haas
DENVER (CBS4) - 16 weeks.
The amount of time it takes to safely throw after a baseball player has Tommy John surgery.
"16 Weeks."
Also the title of a movie filmed, edited and produced by Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino, starring, Adam Ottavino.
"I had been looking to do a video, but to be honest I didn't want to do it about myself," Ottavino said. "But it was an opportunity I saw while flying home from my (Tommy John) surgery, I thought let's record some of this and see what we get, and see if it is interesting at all."
And what he captured was an interesting look at the Tommy John rehab process.
The long, slow, monotonous and at times lonely rehab process.
"I didn't know what the vibe of the movie was going to be, I was just filming things to see how it played out," Ottavino said. "Certainly that first month or two is extremely lonely. The team goes on the road, I'm the only one in the stadium, and it is a big place to be alone in. So that's definitely the prevailing emotion."
Speaking of emotions, if you follow Ottavino on social media, you know he is also an avid photographer.
Capturing emotions in many of his posts.
"At the beginning I was going by book and just looking for shapes and lines and composition," Ottavino says about his photography. "But I think now I am not really looking to be set on any rules, just what looks good to me and gives me a certain feeling. Hopefully people looking have an emotional connection as well."
Many of Adam's photos are of baseball stadiums, and losing the game for over a year lead to plenty of emotions as well.
"Sadness, never angry, I was frustrated," Ottavino said. "Every pitcher knows it can happen, you just never think it will be you."
2015 had started out better than ever for Ottavino. In 10 appearances he pitched 10 innings without giving up a run as he took over the closer role.
But then the arm pain became too much. Ottavino was put on the DL, and doctors gave him the news: his season was over.
"I would say devastating," Ottavino said. "In the moment, I just did not want to be injured, I wanted to play."
But Adam's movie has a happy ending, as it ends with him taking the field and throwing again.
And the rest of his continuing comeback story is going according to script as well. He returned to the Rockies on July 5, and has now pitched 5.1 innings in 8 appearances, and still hasn't given up a run.
"I do think I am in a good place," Ottavino said. "My stuff is good, it is just a matter of getting back to tip-top form and staying there."
Mark Haas is a sports anchor/reporter for CBS4. Read his bio or follow him on Twitter @markhaastv or on Facebook.