Buddy Lamothe, the right-hander reliever out of San Jacinto College, was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 40th round this summer. Lamothe had a stellar season this spring (0.77 ERA in 23.1 innings), but he was paralyzed in a tragic swimming accident in early May.
↵Lamothe was being targeted by the Astros even before the accident because of his impressive mid-90s fastball and a strong curveball. The Astros organization made a very touching gesture by drafting Lamothe, and Buddy has faith that he can pitch again someday.
↵Lamothe was also given the chance to throw out the ceremonial first pitch at an Astros' game last month, and he was presented with a new wheelchair-accessible van yesterday afternoon outside of Minute Maid Park.
↵Drayton McLane felt that he could help Lamothe and his family by giving them the new vehicle and continuing the Astros in Action Foundation. McLane said:
↵↵↵"It's exciting for the Astros to reach out to someone that experienced hardship just a few weeks ago. We had him throw out a first pitch a few weeks ago, and I got to meet him and his mother and his girlfriend and sister. I just saw their courage and I asked his mother what the most difficult part was, and she said mobility."
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A very classy act by Uncle Drayton indeed, well done.