BASEBALL ... AND BAMISILE

 

We caught up with Aaron McGarity at the airport in San Juan, Puerto 

Rico, last week. He’s the right-hander from Richmond … whose uphill 

battle to reach the major leagues continues in the face of roadblocks 

that would convince most people to look for another line of work.

So, what was McGarity doing in San Juan, of all places? To play 

baseball, what else?

“They have a winter league than runs from November through January 

… and this is the time when players under contract [with major-league 

teams] usually leave to get ready for spring training … and they need 

to patch holes with guys like me,” he said, adding, “and, if I can do 

well …” 

If nothing else, McGarity is persistent. Little more than a month 

removed from his 29^th birthday and almost two years following 

Tommy John surgery, the Mills Godwin High School and Virginia 

Tech alumnus refuses to give in.

Signed by the New York Yankees in 2017 for a modest $125,000, the 

6-3, 185 pounder played for AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this summer 

working primarily in middle relief. He was the workhorse of the Rail 

Riders’ staff, appearing in a team-high 51 games.

In 71.3 innings, third most, McGarity struck out 72 and walked 27, 

allowing 60 hits, 40 earned runs (5.05 ERA) and 13 home runs. He 

finished 15 games, had four saves and wound up with a 6-4 record.

“I hoped they’d keep me around for another year,” he said. 

Instead, on Nov. 6, the Yankees cut McGarity loose. No explanation 

… nothing.

“They didn’t say anything to me,” he said. “Your contract 

expires … and you are gone.”

Of course, McGarity has a good idea … which is why he 

came to San Juan … in effect, auditioning for another chance 

with another MLB team.

At Tech, and during his best summer ever – 2016 in the high-

powered Cape Cod league, McGarity threw consistently at 95 

mph-plus. In 2023, despite the Tommy John he hoped would 

restore his once-reliable fast ball, it dipped under 90.

McGarity got by relying on guile and good movement on 

breaking pitches. And, he knows that won’t be enough to 

convince, say, the Cubs and Red Sox who apparently have 

some interest.

“What matters now is how hard I can throw again,” McGarity said. 

“… if I can get it up to 92-93 … in that range.”

And, how does he plan to accomplish that? Easier said than 

done. There was a pause, then McGarity said something 

about “making sure my body is sequenced properly …” 

Never mind.

Good luck!

FINALLY … THINK ABOUT IT … there is no way VCU would 

allow basketball transfer Joe Bamisile to jeopardize one season of 

eligibility by playing a handful of games only to have the judge’s 

ruling overturned. Either that or AD Ed McLaughlin has been assured 

the NCAA won’t follow through on its threat regardless what comes 

down Dec. 26.

Besides … even if the governing body tries, it is bound to fail in the 

face of an overwhelming court presence by seven states … including 

the Commonwealth and led by West Virginia which found the right 

judge to make the original, common-sense decision.

Color the NCAA going, going, almost gone. Wonder what the odds are 

how soon it will be out of business?

Until next time ...