With baseball season upon us, we wanted to check in on our Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) celebrity baseball player Franklin Guitierrez, who turned misfortune into a learning opportunity, and rises like the ultimate ALL STAR baseball fans know he is.
He turned misfortune and ankylosing spondylitis into a cooler superlative- His new nickname is Death to Pitched Things.
Last year we covered Guti’s diagnosis in What hurts worse than a fastball to the ribs? An A.S. Diagnosis, recovery attempt, and journey back into the baseball life via the minor leagues. Gutierrez admits that being away from baseball has been his greatest challenge. He’s been playing since childhood and the enforced inactivity caused by his AS gives him way too much time to worry.
Franklin Gutierrez knows the feeling of having to dig deep to find the internal fortitude to continue on in the face of difficult circumstances. A player for the Seattle Mariners since 2008, he was well on his way to a stellar career in baseball, able to fill a number of positions. But in 2012 was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis, an arthritic condition that causes back and joint pain that can travel from one area of the body to another, making it a health issue that is difficult to manage- almost impossible for a baseball star.
AS is a progressive condition that currently has no cure.
Anti-inflammatory medications and other powerful drugs, along with an anti-inflammatory diet and targeted exercises, can help to alleviate the discomfort and problems with mobility that often occur with the condition.
His Dream in Peril and How AS Threatened His Career
When Gutierrez learned of his disease, he feared it would mean the death of his dreams of making a career of playing baseball. The thought of falling behind while his fellow players went on to accomplish their goals in the sport caused long days of fear and depression. It took a total re-assessment of his abilities and prospects, along with effective treatment for the chronic pain and mobility problems associated with the disease, to allow him to find the courage to keep on fighting until he was able to return to his beloved sport.
In 2013, Gutierrez re-signed with the Mariners with a million dollar contract, determined to continue to excel in his sport as he manages the often-unexpected symptoms of this serious disease. However, he was only able to play three-to-four days each week and was forced to take off time for a series of injuries and problems related to his medical condition. Guti played in the minor league while while learning how to manage the pain and weakness in his hips and knees, as well as breathing problems.
Proper Ankylosing Spondylitis Treatment Brings Success to “Death to Pitched Things”
The Lookout Landing is a huge Guto supporter, like us! You can read the full breakdown and mapping of his hitting spray charts here, but the bottom line is: despite injury and low play time, “a different hitter was emerging.” In other words, Guti is becoming the guru of home runs. He has learned how to hit to all fields with incredible power.
In the words of Lookout Landing’s Nathan Bishop (
“Death to Flying Things is dead, killed by time, misdiagnosis, misfortune, and Ankylosing Spondylitis.”
Fans cannot predict what 2016 will bring for the Mariners or for Guti, and the struggle to continue doing what he loves will continue to be tough. New medications and pure determination are allowing Guti to return to playing at a higher, more strategic level. Playing the game he loves gives him the motivation he needs to continue overcoming problems caused by the illness and learning how to master his skills and the game.
Hail to Death to Pitched Things!
