How a missed position and a shoulder injury nearly ended a Major League career
In short: In 2009, Stephen Vogt faced a career-ending shoulder tear that left him questioning his future in baseball. From being a late-round draft pick to an MLB All-Star, his journey is a masterclass in resilience, navigating everything from minor league struggles to playing winter ball in Colombia.
Stephen Vogt’s path to the Major Leagues was far from linear. Selected in the 12th round of the 2007 MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Rays, Vogt spent years climbing the minor league ladder. His progress was nearly halted in 2009 when a headfirst slide while running to home plate resulted in a torn labrum in his left shoulder. The injury required season-ending surgery and left him unable to hit or throw for eight months, leading him to consider retiring to pursue coaching instead.
His resilience was bolstered by personal support and a relentless work ethic. While recovering, Vogt played in the Colombian Professional Baseball League to regain his form, an unusual move for an American player. By 2011, he had earned the title of Tampa Bay’s Minor League Player of the Year after a dominant season split between Montgomery and Durham, recording 105 RBIs and a .298 batting average. This performance paved the way for his MLB debut at age 27 in 2012.
Vogt’s career is defined by both extreme highs and lows. He famously endured a 32-consecutive at-bat hitless streak, setting a Rays franchise record. Yet, he also reached the pinnacle of the sport, earning MLB All-Star honors in both 2015 and 2016 with the Oakland Athletics. Beyond the diamond, Vogt’s upbringing was diverse; a talented musician who played the trumpet and baritone horn, he once dreamed of a Broadway career if baseball had not worked out.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Stephen Vogt
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