Scott Feldman Pitches with a Heavy Heart

Apr 11, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Scott Feldman (46) throws in the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Global Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Normally, I wouldn’t write an article about an opponent going through a personal struggle, but former Texas Rangers pitcher and current Astros starter Scott Feldman is going through something that I have personal knowledge of, so I wanted to comment on it. Most of you know that Scott Feldman lost his father suddenly early last week, and Scott decided to go ahead and pitch against the Texas Rangers anyway.

"“He would be (ticked) if I missed a start,” Scott wrote of his father to the Houston Chronicle."

Marshall Feldman was a former FBI agent, and Feldman had even commented in the past that if baseball would not have worked out for him he probably would have gone into law enforcement.  I understand how Scott Feldman feels. My father, Kenneth Dieter, got sick and passed away rather quickly last Thanksgiving.  I did get the opportunity to work with my father for a while and we were very close, as it appears Scott and his father were. There is not way to describe the pain and the loss that one feels losing a father, especially one that you are close too, and I would like to share my condolences to the Feldman family. I still miss my dad everyday, and I know that Feldman will miss his father as well.

Scott not only pitched on Friday against the Texas Rangers, but he did a fantastic job battling Yu Darvish pitch for pitch. It was one of those moments that you tip your cap to the opponent because of how he performed in the most difficult of circumstances. Baseball is important to me, even more so to Scott Feldman, but family should always come first. Feldman did what he knew his father would want him to do, and I have the ultimate respect for him for doing so. Scott will miss one start in Toronto, then he will be back with the team. My thoughts an prayers are with the Astros starter and I wish him peace after the loss of his dad.