April 11, 2013
By Scott Traweek, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Penn State sophomore pitcher T.J. Jann refused to quit after being informed by doctors in 2011 that his baseball career may be over following complications from Tommy John Surgery.
The Westford, Mass. native battled two surgeries and two years of rehab before returning to the mound and earning the role of Friday night starter in 2013.
"It's pretty unbelievable being in the situation that I'm in right now given two years ago doctors told me that I would probably never play baseball again," said Jann. "The fact that I worked as hard as I did over the last two years, it shows that hard work pays off."
Jann made his collegiate debut during the opening weekend of the 2011 season against Notre Dame, throwing one and two-thirds innings without allowing a hit, before being shut down due to an elbow injury known all-too-well by pitchers throughout baseball.
After his outing on Feb. 20, 2011 the right-hander would require Tommy John Surgery to repair the damage.
The main risk associated with the procedure includes damage to the ulnar nerve and in Jann's case the nerve was severed and required a second surgery. He was later informed by doctors that his baseball career could be over, but Jann was unfazed.
He worked tirelessly through two years of rehabilitation and could not have done it without the support of his family and his girlfriend during one of the toughest periods of his life.
"My dad has always been there for me and so has my mom, my sister, my brother and my girlfriend," said Jann. "They saw me go through the worst part [during and after the surgery] and it was great to have their support."
In the end, Jann persevered. After redshirting in 2012, Jann returned to the mound on Feb. 24, 2013 at Liberty, but taking the mound after a two-year absence was not easy and, though Jann struggled early, his confidence has grown with every outing.
"I think [my confidence] builds every time I go out there," said Jann. "I haven't played in two years, so every time it's like a stepping stone for me."
One of the challenges Jann faced earlier in the season was adapting to his injury. In high school, Jann mastered the fastball-changeup combination, but after severing his nerve, he has been unable to emulate the changeup he once threw.
"I've always been a big fastball-changeup guy," said Jann. "After my surgery I have very limited feeling in my hand, so I can't throw the exact same changeup I used to throw."
Jann adjusted by using his curveball more often and recently added a slider to his arsenal.
"I'm more [reliant] on my curveball now and I worked with coach Bell and he has given me a slider to add to my repertoire," said Jann. "I've actually used [the slider] a lot more lately than I ever have before."
He earned his first victory pitching four and one-third innings of relief against Houston Baptist, allowing just one run on two hits. Head coach Robbie Wine elected Jann as the Friday night starter two weeks later at No. 22 Indiana.
"Coach Wine gave me the opportunity to pitch on Friday night and I'm more than ecstatic to have that opportunity," said Jann.
Stepping onto Medlar Field in front of the home crowd on a Friday night is an incredible experience and Jann has embraced it emphatically.
"It's really exciting pitching under the lights with the fans cheering for you," said Jann. "You get that little extra adrenaline."
His most recent start against Wright State was arguably his best thus far. The sophomore right-hander threw seven and one-third innings, allowing just three runs on eight hits. He recorded three strikeouts and didn't walk a batter before leaving to an ovation from the crowd.
The slider was key to Jann's success and is an added bonus considering his favorite player in the Major Leagues is legendary Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who throws a pitch similar to the Jann's slider known as a cut fastball. Jann hopes to develop a cutter during his career.
"Mariano Rivera has always been my idol and when coach Bell actually showed me how to throw a slider, [Rivera's cut fastball] is what I envision," said Jann. "My dad always wanted me to throw a cutter, so I think maybe this could be a stepping stone towards it."
Jann's experience is similar to the challenges he and his teammates have battled this season. Though the Nittany Lions have faced a lot of adversity early, Jann believes they can compete with anyone in the country.
"I think everyone's pulling for each other," said Jann. "I think this team can be as good as any team because we all have each others' backs and we're all willing to work hard."
Jann will take the mound on Friday at Michigan (17-14, 4-2 Big Ten) with game time slated for 4:05 p.m. as Penn State looks to ride the momentum of a two-game winning streak into Ann Arbor.
--NITTANY LIONS--