From reality-show contestant to big leaguer?

Plus: 'Mr. October' documentary premiere date

March 22, 2023 Had Josh Ferro never checked his spam filter, he might not be living out his dream. That's not the biggest lesson to take away from his story, but it serves as a reminder that you never know from where opportunity will arise.   Ferro, who played college baseball at Castleton University in Vermont before transferring and graduating from SUNY Purchase in 2021, was watching his beloved Yankees play on television last fall when he saw an ad for a baseball reality show called "The Tryout." Ferro, a former catcher, immediately turned to his father.   "I was like, 'Dad, they're having a baseball reality show to see who can earn a professional baseball contract. Should I join?'" Ferro said. "And my dad was like, 'Of course, what do you have to lose?'"   Ferro filled out the application and got an email from the show producers saying he was going to be invited to the preliminary tryout, which took place at the Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., last October. Ferro and hundreds of others spent the day hitting and playing defense before he returned home to Queens.   "I wasn't in the Draft or anything like that, had no looks out of high school or college," he said. "All I was really looking for was an opportunity to play baseball at the highest level possible. So that went by, tryout went well. I didn't hear nothing for more than a couple of weeks."   As hope began to fade, Ferro decided to check his email spam folder. There he saw an email dated Nov. 1 informing him he had been picked to be on the show.   "I ran downstairs," he said. "I went to go tell my dad. He was very happy for me. I told my whole family. My family was really, really happy for me."   From there, it was a whirlwind. He was one of 18 final contestants who were flown to Tampa in early December for the show. Hitters were evaluated on power, arm strength, speed and fielding. Among the judges were Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes and general manager Brian Cashman, as well as Astros advisor Enos Cabell.   "His contact and coordination was really good," Cabell said. "He swung the bat really well."   Alas, Ferro, a switch-hitter, finished in second place in "The Tryout," which is in post-production and will be released in the summer. (Terry Daniels won the show and signed with the independent Cleburne Railroaders.) Ferro returned home full of unforgettable memories.   "I was really happy I got picked for it and really blessed to be there," he said. "And I went back home and just went back to my normal life." Which meant substitute teaching at his old high school in Queens, coaching and doing catching lessons. Just when he was settling into his routine, he got a call from Astros scouting director Kris Gross. Cabell had recommended the Astros sign him. "The minute I heard that phone call, my heart sank, went right down into my stomach," Ferro said. "He told me that they want to set up a workout with me." Veteran scout Steve Payne met Ferro, 24, at a batting cage in New Jersey -- just a couple of streets from Ferro's mother's house -- in late January. When they were done, Payne pointed at home plate and asked him if he was ready to be a catcher.   "I said, 'Steve, I've been doing this my whole life. This is all I know how to do,'" Ferro said. "I told them all I need is a shot right now from any team, and he said, 'All right, perfect.' He shook my hand. He walked me outside. He gave me his card and said, 'We'll be in touch.'"   A month later, Astros director of Minor League operations Derrick Fong called Ferro and said they were going to sign him. He called his mom and told her the news and waited to tell his father in person. His dad cried.   "It was pretty emotional because he's been my only coach," he said. "I haven't really had any other baseball trainers or any other coaches that really helped me out with my game. It was really a special moment for me and him to be living out my dream."   That dream involves waking up at 5:30 a.m. to report to Minor League camp in West Palm Beach, Fla., where Ferro catches bullpens and prepares for bus rides and games. He says he'll start the season in Rookie ball. He's met Reggie Jackson, rubbed shoulders with Jose Altuve and has eschewed his loyalty to the Yankees.   "I could care less for them," he said. "It's about the Astros. It's all about Houston."   Who knows if Ferro will make it to Houston, but the experiences and lessons he's learned will provide a lifetime of memories.   "As long as I know in my heart that I give everything I can, I can never be mad at myself or I can never have any regrets or doubts," he said. "I want the people who are watching it and the kids hearing about my story to know to keep working hard and never take 'no' for an answer." DUSTY QUOTE OF THE WEEK "I haven't found anything that gives me the exhilaration, the joy and the sorrow of playing games. I've been in sports all my life and even when I get through, I'll probably still watch my son and have something to offer somebody as far as maybe a little bit of wisdom or knowledge of this game," -- Astros manager Dusty Baker, on not retiring after winning his first World Series title last year in his 25th year as a manager. TRIVIA With Altuve set to have surgery on his fractured right thumb in the coming days, his streak of consecutive Opening Day starts at second base will end at 11 years (2012-22). Who was the last second baseman to start for the Astros on Opening Day prior to Altuve? A.) Bill Hall B.) Kaz Matsui C.) Mark Loretta D.) Geoff Blum JACKSON DOCUMENTARY TO PREMIERE "Reggie," a documentary that examines the career and legacy of Jackson, a Hall of Fame slugger and Astros advisor, will premiere Friday on Prime Video. The documentary "is the definitive, firsthand account of [a] five-time World Series Champion, beloved New York icon, and one of baseball's most influential superstars," Amazon said in a press release. The documentary covers Jackson's life as a trailblazing Black athlete who fought for respect, from the beginnings of his career in Birmingham, Ala., at the height of the civil rights movement, to his tenure with the Yankees, who made him the highest-paid player in baseball and with whom he became "Mr. October" with his memorable World Series performance in 1977. TRIVIA ANSWER A.) Bill Hall Hall started at second for the Astros on Opening Day in 2011, with Altuve making his Major League debut on July 20 of that year.  FORWARDED FROM A FRIEND? SUBSCRIBE NOW To subscribe to Astros Beat, visit this page and mark "Astros Beat" from our newsletter list. Make sure you're following the Astros or that they're checked as your favorite team. View Online    © 2023 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. 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