VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) – As a parent there’s many calls you can receive from your children. A call just to check in, a call to ask for some money, or a call to let you know their dream has come true. This week the Thomas family received a call from their son Colby that they will never forget.
“He says well I’m not playing tonight. I say well, good you got a day off. He said well I’m not playing tomorrow night I said so what’s going on? He said I’m going to the big leagues. When I saw him in the jersey I saw him in the dugout and Carly and I was thinking could he get into tonight? And we’re like they might put him in,” said Thomas’ dad Dude Thomas.
Colby Thomas made his MLB debut for the A’s in the eighth inning of game 1 as a pinch hitter against the Rays. But his memorable moment came in the outfield with the game knotted at 4 and a runner on second.
“I saw him running to make the throw and I was like oh dear God please catch that ball. But I knew he was going to do something; this is a do or die situation and Colby’s not backing down from that. I was just glad the play turned out the way it did and I think it motivated the whole team,” said Thomas’ mom Carly Thomas.
The play sparked a momentum shift. The A’s rallied in the ninth scoring twice securing the win. Manager Mark Kotsay described Thomas’ dart as the play of the game. Kotsay added to make that play in his first game says a lot about what he’s done to get here
The effort was no surprise to the former Wildcats high school coach.
“For me it was I’ve seen it before. That’s just who Colby is he wants the big moment. You could tell he prepared himself for that moment and when he just lets himself play wonderful things like that happen and its fun to watch. He did great things just like that when he was here and I didn’t expect anything different,” expressed former Valdosta baseball coach Brad Porter.
At a young age it was clear that the moment was never too big for Thomas and that he was destined for greatness.
“The coach whenever he’d do it he’d put him on the tee. He’d always make him bat last because he’d always cleared the bases every time he’d get up to bat,” expressed Mrs. Thomas.
“We knew the call was coming at some point and he did too. We’re just thankful it was in Tampa so we could be there,” said Mr. Thomas.
“He made no bones about it. He wanted to play in the big leagues and to see him realize that dream is just. You’re just glad God gave you the opportunity to coach a man like him,” said Coach Porter.
Thomas made his MLB debut on his grandmother’s birthday. To put the icing on the cake he got his first big league hit the following day.
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