Great Valley’s Carr is a testament to perseverance
By Peter DiGiovanni
@PeteDLNontwitter
Baseball is a sport that requires not only talent but a perseverance and a zeal for overcoming hard times.
The game, in which stars routinely fail seven out of 10 times, is almost as much a mental practice than a physical one. The most successful players are the ones who overcome adversity and strive to achieve despite the odds.
Well, Great Valley rising sophomore catcher and pitcher Danny Carr is a testament to overcoming severe adversity. At the age of seven, Carr developed Perthes Disease which is a malady that affects children from the ages of three and 11. The blood flow supply to the head of the thigh bone is disrupted which causes the bone to deteriorate. The disease causes pain, limping and limited movement of the hip joint and is a life altering event.
“I started to have pain when I was running and I found out I had to have major surgery at the age of seven,” Carr said. “I was like, what is happening, and I was in bed for like two and a half years. I could not get out of bed and I couldn’t walk or run for the whole time. It was very tough.
“My mom really got me through it. She really did everything for me. I really was scared for a while because at seven years old to be immobile is a scary thing. I was laid up for close to two and half years.”
Carr burst onto the local scene last year becoming a starting catcher for the Great Valley baseball team while he was not pitching for the Patriots. This season Carr is already helping Great Valley as he earned the save in the Patriots opening day win against Kennett. Great Valley coach Travis Turgeon talked about his sophomore who has a very bright future.
“Danny is just an awesome kid, hard worker and all-around baseball player,” Turgeon said. “Last year when I got the Great Valley job we needed a catcher and currently did not have one, which obviously is the most important position besides pitcher on the field. Danny immediately stood out for his baseball on that first practice. Obviously he has some physical tools but his strength is his baseball intelligence.
“The tough part for me is that Danny does a lot of things well on the field, specifically pitching and hitting, and he is currently our closer in addition to his catching duties. As a freshman last year he stepped up and contributed in our rotation as a starting pitcher. The tricky part is balancing his arm and legs and trying to do what is best for his career and the team at the same time. All in all he is fun to coach since he truly wants to learn.”
Carr says he does not have any lingering effects from Perthes and he is just concentrating on his goals to be a Division 1 college baseball player and he also adds he is happy to just be out on the baseball diamond.
“After not be able to walk or run for more than two years it really makes you appreciate being able to do those things,” Carr says. “I don’t take any day I am playing baseball for granted after what I have been through. My goal is to play Division 1 college baseball and right now just want to help my team win.”
No one knows how many games Great Valley will win this season in the Ches-Mont league but what is certain is that Carr will be ready for any battle or game tribulation that comes his way. He has been through much tougher situations than bases loaded and no outs.
Danny Carr almost had it all taken way at a very tender age. He is making the most of this second chance at baseball.
One day at a time.
