I still vividly recall the Toronto Blue Jays contest against the Baltimore Orioles on May 15th, 2007. Jays ace Roy Halladay was unable to make his scheduled start and the Jays called up Jesse Litsch from their double A affiliate to fill the future Hall Of Famers shoes. Litsch did not disappoint tossing an 8 2/3 inning gem and securing the win in his major league debut.

Jesse Litsch was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 24th round of the 2004 amateur draft. The former Tampa Bay Rays batboy was set to be a fixture in the Blue Jays bullpen this season before suffering a freak injury. Litsch was diagnosed with a shoulder inflammation and received a platelet-rich plasma injection to reduce the inflammation. Litsch contracted a serious infection from the injection that at one point was career threatening.

As for today Litsch is well on the road to recovery and expects to be in the Jays plans moving forward next season.

Jesse Litsch Interview:

1. What do you recall about your major league debut and 1st major league win, an 8 2/3 inning gem against the Baltimore Orioles with your father in attendance on his birthday?

I was called up from Double A I was assuming I was just getting called up to triple A and was shocked and astounded to hear that I was going to the MLB. I felt I was ready though and boarded a plane to Toronto where I would be pitching in 2 days. My dad had no passport and luckily at that time you were able to cross the border with a valid license. Getting ready for the game I went about myself just as I did in the minors. At the beginning of the game I was real nervous but when I got Tejada to ground into a double play I just started rolling from there and the next thing I knew I was in the 9th inning and got 2 quick outs but then walked a guy and that’s when I got pulled for the reliever, and he came in and got the job done well. The best part about that game and most memorable was definitely getting taken out and walking off the field to a standing ovation.

2. You are a former bat boy for the Tampa Bay Rays, what was the experience like and what is your funniest story or fondest memory about the experience.

I mean the experience was like no other as a kid being able to be around the big league players was great. Toby Hall was always really good to me always helped me out with equipment and anything I may have needed but of course I always hooked him up with the shiniest gear and shoes in the league.

3. You proved to be an integral part of the Blue Jays bullpen last season, what is the major difference for you between starting and working out of the pen. Does your routine change coming in from the pen and what do you prefer if the choice was up to you?

I’m a starter at heart but anything to get into the game I was ready for whatever. The big thing for me out of the bullpen was just learning the routine best for myself everybody is different I just asked a lot of people and molded mine around them.

4. How difficult has this season been for you mentally after a freak injury contracting a serious infection from a platelet-rich plasma injection? How is the injury at this point in time and will you be healthy for opening day?

This season has definitely been tough things happen in life where you just have to roll with punches as they come and I feel I’m doing that well by staying as positive as I can and hoping for the best as of right now I’m feeling good and right on track.

5. Who has been the most influential person other than your family in helping you develop as a baseball player throughout your career?

It is hard to pick just one as a kid the boys and girls club definitely helped with my athletic ability as well as made me mold into the man I am. My college coach was great he gave me a chance to go to college on a scholarship and I will say it was one of the best decisions I made in my life so far. In the minors I had a ton of great coaches so it is hard to point out certain ones but they all played an integral part in my development.

6. What was the most rewarding part of being a major leaguer and on the flip side what was the most challenging part about being a professional ball player?

The most rewarding is definitely knowing that you made it, it was your dream to get there and you did it. The most challenging part to be honest is just dealing with the people that tell you, you can’t or you’re not good enough or your too fat etc. Those are things you just learn to rub off.

7. Are you superstitious at all and who was the most superstitious player you played with?

Yeah we all have our superstitions I like to eat a certain way on start days. The most superstitious person I ever played with is by far Jesse Carlson he was the funniest ever when it came to that stuff.

8. Who has hit the longest home run you have ever seen?

I’ve seen a lot of home runs as well as given up a ton I’m not sure the longest but there is one that sticks in my head is when I was a bat-boy at Tropicana field Jose Canseco hit one off the back wall in the upper deck in left field

9. Can you describe the Toronto Blue Jays bullpen; describe a typical night in the pen and who in your opinion is the leader of the pen and who keeps the guys loose?

The bullpen is a fun place but when the 4th or 5th inning rolls around or a starter is getting into trouble it turns into seriousness. We would all keep each other loose. I was there when Pat Hentgen was the bullpen coach and he definitely was the leader but there was no outright leader everybody showed up ready to pitch never knowing when they would get in.

10. When Jesse Litsch is long retired, what do you want people to most remember you for as a professional baseball player and what accomplishment are you most proud of?

I just want people to know that I gave all I had every time out on the field. Obviously the main thing I am proud I accomplished is making it to the big leagues which was always a dream of mine.

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