Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
NewsCut
Bob Collins

Wounded in Iraq, Navy vet didn’t give up baseball dream

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Prosthetics Center
Navy Petty Officer Daniel Jacobs talks about his experiences in Iraq at the Comprehensive Combat Casualty Care Center at the Naval Medical Center, San Diego, on March 28, 2007, in San Diego. AP Photo/Denis Poroy.

Daniel Jacobs was a long shot at the Detroit Tigers spring training camp this spring. For one thing, the Tigers are stacked. For another, he's 29 years old. Oh, and he also doesn't have a leg; he lost it to a roadside bomb in Iraq.

"Whatever they tell me I can't do, that just fuels my fire," Jacobs said. "Once you get something in your mind, you're pretty determined and you just go for it."

He says he tried out for the Tigers yesterday to be an example for other wounded vets.

"I would love to make it, even if it's just playing a Rookie league game or whatever, just to help out whatever I could," Jacobs tells MLB.com. "If not, then hey, I'm out here playing baseball in Florida, right?"

"Last night, an 84-year-old amputee emailed me and asked me about prosthetics. He wants to get out and play tennis again -- an 84-year-old who just had his leg amputated. That's what it's all about to me, getting out and getting my story out there and just trying to provide any assistance I can."

He got his try-out yesterday after the Tigers officials read about his dream in the San Diego Union-Tribune.