Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

[Whitesox]

I was always an avid fan of baseball, I grew up watching it and playing it all of the time. I was pretty good, very good actually. I was the ace starting pitcher at my High School. I was an intimidating force on the mound, I threw very hard and was quite tall. I was not a very good hitter, but being a pitcher, it didnt really matter. Everyone said I should go pro but because I was Cuban, I was not eligible for the draft. I thought I had no chance at ever playing in the States.

It was a normal January day in my hometown of Havana, Cuba. I was helping my father out around the house when the phone rang.
"I wonder who that is?" I thought aloud. I picked up the phone.

"Hello, is this Juan Olivia?"
"Yes."
"Hello Juan, this is Mark Shapiro, the General Manager of the Cleveland Indians." I jumped.
"What can I do for you Mr. Shapiro?"
"I had a scout come to your last game, and he has talked very highly of you since. He says your fastball has great movement and your curve is nice. He also said you threw a 1-hit complete game." I couldn't believe it, they knew I existed. "Even though you are not eligible for the draft, we would like to invite you to spring training in Phoenix." "Can you make it?"
"Of course I can!" I almost screamed into the phone.
"Ok then, can I talk to a legal guardian?" I handed my dad the phone.

After attempting to piece their conversation together by listening to what my dad was saying, it finally ended.

"The Cleveland Indians are flying us up to Phoenix for spring training." My dad said. "They are taking care of our passports now." He smiled.

I didnt know what to say, I was on top of the world. They were paying for my entire family to fly up to Phoenix so I could play professional baseball. I ran to pack my things.

"I can't wait!" I yelled.
"Easy there son, we don't leave for a month!" We both laughed.

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

This is my first time doing anything like this, so please, keep the criticism constructive

[FlyersFan30]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

Great Background story so far

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

Here is a picture of Juan, next bit of story up later.

[Cane_Mutiny]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

Haha, I'm Cuban, so this should be interesting Good luck to Juan!

[shinderhizzle84]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

LOL you stole my idea!! I just got this game yesterday and have been working out the kinks in my gameplay, but i'm actually of Cuban descent, so i thought it would be an AWESOME idea to make a cuban-import pitching rtts on here!!

well, i guess that great minds think alike, eh? good luck with this one, the indians are in desperate need of pitching!!

and btw, so far, it's pretty good!

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

After our flight arrived in Phoenix, we were taken to the Indians Spring Training facilities. I was in awe looking at all of the amenities offered. After a quick tour the Manager, Eric Wedge, told me that practice was tomorrow at 6 AM. I couldn't wait to get to my first practice.

For the first time in years I was excited to hear my alarm clock go off so early. I rushed to the shower and wound up arriving at practice early.

"Ok everyone! Lets get started with a quick run." And with that, my first practice was underway. After our run we split off with our respective coaches. Being a pitcher, I was with pitching coach Carl Willis. Because it was the first practice, he wanted to get a gauge on all of us, so we each had individual bullpen sessions with him. After Adam Miller, it was my turn.

"Ok Olivia! Lets see what you've got!" I reared back and threw a fastball with all of my might, and it went past the catcher. "Settle down, take a deep breath." said the coach. I complied and threw a few good ones. After I got comfortable I dared to throw a curve. Bad mistake, I threw it into the dirt. After what seemed like an eternity, the coach finally told me my session was over. After he pulled me off to the side.

"Listen Juan, you have some of the most potential I have seen at your age. You just need to work on your control." "We have decided you first start will be against Colorado." I jumped a little, I could not believe they were giving me a start this early.
"Thanks coach." I said as I started to walk away.
"Im not done" He said. "Be at practice tomorrow at 5:30, I want to work with you exclusively."
"Sure thing, coach."And with that, I walked away.

I arrived at the hotel to some very concerned parents, and a significantly less concerned sister.

"How did it go?" My mother yelped as I walked in the door
"Fine...Coach wants me there early tomorrow"
"For what?" My dad asked
"He thinks I have great potential, and wants to work with me exclusively."
"Oh my god that is great! He thinks you can be a star!" my mom was almost screaming at the top of her lungs.
"Aren't you going to congratulate your brother?" my mom asked my sister, Jenna.
"Woohoo." She said, in a most unenthusiastic fashion.
"Thanks." I shot back, in the same way.
"Stop it you two." Both my parents chimed in.

We went out and explored Phoenix for the rest of the afternoon. I went to bed around 8PM. Next think I knew, my alarm clock was buzzing in my face.

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

Thanks for the feedback, I have a question. How long would you like the story updates to be? Im asking so I know around how long I should make them. Would you like Shorter but more frequent, or Longer but less frequent. Or around the middle, that always works too. Also, how do I post videos into my post?

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

I arrived early to practice the next morning as I had been instructed. After waiting for a few minutes the coach arrived.

"Hey coach." I greeted him
"Hey, lets get to work." He rushed

After a half hour or so the rest of the team started showing up, and practice commenced as normal. I went home and we again went out to explore the town, like yesterday. This went on for 2 more days. But on the fifth day, it was different. It was my day to start. I couldn't believe that I was going to be facing Major League hitters, players who I had watched on T.V. all of my life. The excitement was unbearable.

I arrived early to the ballpark that day, to work on my control like coach said I should. After a few hours, it was time to go out to the mound and take my warm up tosses. It was then when the nerves really hit me. Back in my hometown the most people I had ever played in front of was less than 200, but here I was pitching in front of 10,000 fans.

"Pitching for the Cleveland Indians, Juan Olivia!" The fans cheered, and a cold rush of blood shot through my body.

"Play ball!" The umpire yelled. This was it, the moment I had been looking forward to. I reached back and threw the first pitch of my career.

It was a strike. The fans cheered, I was once again on top of the world. Never has something so sweet turned into something so sour.

After that I threw four straight balls, and gave up a lead-off walk. Then the nerves really got to me, I gave up a double to the next hitter. After that I gave up a deep homerun, it went off the scoreboard. By now the fans were booing me, and I had lost all confidence. I got out of the inning after giving up three earned runs.

"Don't worry about it kid, you can get them next inning." The backup catcher chimed in my ear. He could see I was visibly upset with my performance. "They invited you here for a reason, they see you can be great."

With those encouraging words, I shut down the Rockies in the next inning. The next inning though, was a different story. I gave up three straight singles, all grounders up the middle. Losing my confidence again, I walked the next hitter, and gave up a base clearing triple to the next hitter. I shut them out for the rest of the inning, and it was my last.

"Its ok, don't worry about it. Everyone has a bad game every once in a while." Said the pitching coach. Once again I was upset with my performance. "Be proud, you struck out three major league hitters today."
I also earned a 21.00 ERA, I thought to myself.
"Be at practice at 4:45 tomorrow, and be there at that time for every practice until further notice.
"Ok, coach. Im gonna go ice my arm." I couldn't believe he wanted me there even earliier! This was going to get tedious, fast.

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

Here is the first pitch, it wouldn't cooperate in my last post.
It isn't cooperating now either. Here is the link

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRlXAn71n0o

Sorry about the weird name, I forgot to change it after I moved it from my PS3

[shinderhizzle84]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

ok now you're just plain ****ing with me, mister.


not only am i half cuban, and not only was this an idea of mine as well...

but...MY SISTER'S NAME IS JENNA!!!!!

i feel like stewie griffin in his movie when he first finds his alternate self, llol.

you and i are most likely twins separated at birth, lmfao.

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

ok now you're just plain ****ing with me, mister.


not only am i half cuban, and not only was this an idea of mine as well...

but...MY SISTER'S NAME IS JENNA!!!!!

i feel like stewie griffin in his movie when he first finds his alternate self, llol.

you and i are most likely twins separated at birth, lmfao.

My sisters name is Jenna too lmao. She is also being modeled after herself in real life for the most part. But no worries, she is the last character I am bringing for a while, besides the Akron coaches.

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

The rest of spring flew by. I went to practice every day at 4:30 in the morning, to work alone with my Pitching coach. He was probably the most knowledgeable person I had ever met.

My last start rolled around and I felt it was my last chance to prove myself. It was against the Astros. It was all going good until the 4th inning, which would be my last. I gave up 4 runs on a grand slam, and got pulled. It was probably the worst moment in my life, I felt as if I had ruined my chances to play professional baseball.

After the game GM Mark Shapiro called me into his office.

"Yes Mr. Shapiro?" I asked
"Juan, we believe you have great potential. We also believe that your work ethic is superb." It couldn't be...
"Juan, the Cleveland Indians have decided to offer you a 6-year, 180,000 dollar contract." I almost jumped through the roof, I was at a loss for words.
"Can you have your agent look this over for you?" He asked
"...sure" I could hardly breathe, I was going to get to play baseball for a living, every kids dream.
"When you sign you will be in the bullpen for the Akron Aeros, opening day for them is April 8th."

My agent, Adam Kurecki, looked over my contract and approved. I was officially an Akron Aero.

The celebrations raged on that night, all night. I celebrated with my family and then some of the others who made the team. It was a fun night especialy because we found a bar that would let me in. I am only 19, under the legal limit in the US.

OFF TO AKRON, OHIO.










Juan Olivia's Spring Training Stats"
7GP, 0-3, 7.81 ERA, 27.2 IP, 24 ER, 10 K, 8 BB, 1.73 WHIP

Sorry about the Jacked up stats, I currently have no knowledge of how to make a table and put it here, but I will soon.


When I am promoted to starter in the Minors I will have much more in depth stats for you all.

[shinderhizzle84]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

My sisters name is Jenna too lmao. She is also being modeled after herself in real life for the most part. But no worries, she is the last character I am bringing for a while, besides the Akron coaches.

good...just as long as you don't bring in my mother and father, and my dog, i will be fine, lmao.

other than that, this has been really good so far. however, if you wanted to go for a sidestory, you should include something about the poverty that the family lives in, and the decisions about defecting from cuba and whatnot. it would add a sense of realism to the story, and also make it more deep, as well as more diverse, and would catch the reader's attention more.

however, even if you don't do this, it's pretty damn good.

[Whitesox]

Re: Cuban Talent (An MLB '09 RTTS)

good...just as long as you don't bring in my mother and father, and my dog, i will be fine, lmao.

other than that, this has been really good so far. however, if you wanted to go for a sidestory, you should include something about the poverty that the family lives in, and the decisions about defecting from cuba and whatnot. it would add a sense of realism to the story, and also make it more deep, as well as more diverse, and would catch the reader's attention more.

however, even if you don't do this, it's pretty damn good.

I was thinking about doing something like this, but I haven't settled on it yet. Im gonna be taking a short hiatus to enjoy knights rosters, by then I will have something. Thanks for the feedback