Durden presents Triple-A experience

It is common for children to dream of playing a sport professionally. It is not common for that dream to come true, but for Brandon Durden, it did.

Durden is a Georgia College alumnus. After three seasons as a pitcher for the Bobcats baseball team, Durden was drafted in 2005 by the Colorado Rockies in the first round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Durden spent six seasons in the minors, working his way all the way up to Triple-A. Just like those so many other little boys, it was Durden’s dream.

“It was fun and exciting,” Durden said. “It made me grow up as a person. It turned me into a man.”

Though Durden didn’t quite make it all the way to the “big show,” his memories are fond and his stats in the minors tell a tale of a great ballplayer. In 2006, Durden was dubbed a South Atlantic League All Star.

“Even though I didn’t make it to the majors, I wouldn’t trade (that experience) for the world.” Durden said.

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After six years, Durden has now returned to his previous home in Milledgeville to continue both his passion for baseball as an assistant coach for the Bobcats, as well as his education by completing his bachelor’s degree in history.

Head Coach of the baseball team Tom Carty has never coached Durden, but knows him well. Carty joined GC as a pitching coach in summer 2005, soon after Durden got drafted, but Durden would come back to the field to throw bullpens and work out, getting ready for the next spring training.

Carty followed Durden throughout his minor league career.

“I definitely kept up with him,” Carty said. “Whenever he’d have a good outing, I’d send him a note somehow, whether it be a text or an e-mail.”

Through this relationship, Carty stayed in touch with Durden over the years. When Durden became available, Carty called and suggested that he come help out with the team and finish his undergraduate degree.

Today, Durden is trying to readjust to normal, everyday life.

“It was weird at first. But now things have gotten going, baseball has started up, school is back in; now it almost feels like I never left,” Durden says.

Carty is looking forward to what Durden will bring to the table this season.

“Durden has valuable experience that no one else on this staff has to offer,” Carty said. “We’ve all brushed shoulders with guys who have made it (to the minors), but Brandon has been there.”

Durden is also hopeful for the upcoming spring season.

“We have some real talent,” Durden said. “I think I can really relate to these guys, I’m excited to see where this season goes.”

Posted by SabrinaChandler on Sep 15 2011. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.