Sports are inherently dangerous, but with few exceptions does any athlete step into a competition wondering they will come out alive. White Sox reliever Danny Farquhar suffered such an episode when he lost consciousness in the dugout after closing the sixth inning of a game on April 20. His triumphant return to Guaranteed Rate Field on June 1 was more than inspiring; it was uplifting.
Six weeks after suffering a brain hemorrhage in the @WhiteSox dugout, Danny Farquhar, alongside his wife Lexie, opens up about the life-threatening incident and his road to recovery.
Tonight, Danny will throw out the 1st pitch at 7pm 💻: https://t.co/zTQTV57Tvx pic.twitter.com/1VLEUlmcss
— NBC Sports Chicago (@NBCSChicago) June 1, 2018
One of the most jarring facts about that day is that Farquhar has a two-hour sunspot on his memory from the time he went to the bullpen to the time he collapsed in the dugout. Here is part of what he shared on Friday:
Farquhar says the last thing he remembers before the aneurysm ruptured was walking out to the bullpen around 6:30 pm. He woke up “4 or 5 days later” in the ICU. #WhiteSox
— Max Gelman (@MaxGelman) June 2, 2018
Farquhar sought insight from Nate Jones about how he was acting between entering the bullpen, entering the game and passing out. Jones said everything seemed normal.
After Farquhar recovered he asked Nate Jones if he had been acting funny during the April 20 game. “I’m a big stickler for scouting on the bullpen TV.” Jones said he hadn’t noticed anything strange. #WhiteSox
— Max Gelman (@MaxGelman) June 2, 2018
Sadly, it seems Farquhar is still having memory issues; something everyone hopes will correct itself over time.
Danny Farquhar said he’s having memory issues. “A lot of the past is a blur.”
— Scot Gregor (@scotgregor) June 2, 2018
It is incomprehensible for most of us to lose track of time for almost 2 hours and then wake up four days later. The gap in time is something Farquhar will spend a lifetime trying to piece back together. But there was something else added to the story on Friday.
On Good Morning America Friday Farquhar shared that doctors believed his recovery was a miracle.
Inside White Sox pitcher Danny Farquhar's miraculous recovery after suffering a brain hemorrhage during a game. @paulafaris has his story. https://t.co/OssKZEI9U1 pic.twitter.com/knaFXckKA9
— Good Morning America (@GMA) June 1, 2018
The miracle is that Farquhar is as functional as he is. Aneurysms can be debilitating in many ways, but given that he has started training — albeit merely throwing without elevating his heart rate — is something beyond comprehension.
Farquhar said he’s been working out for 3 1/2 weeks now, he’s been cleared to throw a baseball. He’s not lifting weights or anything to raise his blood pressure, but wants to pitch again
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) June 2, 2018
I was a guest on a sports radio show on Friday morning and one of the questions lobbed my way dealt with the White Sox woes as a team and putting things in perspective with Farquhar’s return. It is all too easy to get lost in the repetitive malaise of grinding our lives out, and don’t think it is any different in professional sports. They lose sight of the privilege placed in front of them often. Farquhar’s return undoubtedly stirred up a range of emotions from happiness to see their teammate recovering well, fear that life is fragile, and the understanding that their gifts — physical and otherwise — can be snatched away at any moment.
One of the more touching moments at Friday’s ceremony was when the entire White Sox squad met Farquhar at the mound. His medical team at RUSH Medical Center was at the mound as well and his family, the people whose lives almost permanently upended, enjoyed the moment on the mound as well.
The first pitch pic.twitter.com/ck3LjqP34C
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) June 2, 2018
Farquhar’s story is far from a final period and we’re all hoping for a safe recovery. The White Sox organized a slew of events at Friday’s game (a win, if you can believe it) to raise money for the Joe Neikro foundation, a non-profit that provides assistance for those who have suffered from similar episodes as Farquhar.
Below is the last statement Farquhar made at his presser.
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