CLEARWATER, Fla. - Andrew Bailey had no plans to play professional baseball when he left South Jersey in 2002. He said he was an average pitcher at Paul VI High School who "didn't really do anything too special."
Bailey, from Haddon Heights, attended Wagner College simply to extend his baseball life a few more seasons, experience New York City and earn a degree. The small school in Staten Island is not exactly a baseball powerhouse. But Bailey managed to defy the odds. He left college with a blazing fastball and a professional contract.
The righthanded pitcher found quick success in the major leagues, but injuries pushed his career to the brink.