One Line Drive: A Life-Threatening Injury and a Faith-Fueled Comeback

The path to achieving your dreams is not always easy. Daniel Ponce de Leon, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, overcame many challenges to get to the major leagues. Drafted four times, he spent a long four years climbing his way up through the minors before finally reaching AAA, only a step away from realizing his goal. Then, Daniel’s dream was almost shattered when he was struck in the head by one line drive. Spending weeks in the hospital and months recovering from a large epidural hematoma, skull fracture, brain swelling, and hemorrhaging, Daniel held on to his belief that he would one day pitch again at the highest level. Fourteen months later, and fully recovered, he made his first major league start, becoming the fifth pitcher in modern major league history to throw seven innings of no-hit ball in his initial outing. MLB.com referred to it as one of the greatest debuts in Major League Baseball history. In One Line Drive, Daniel retells his remarkable journey, sharing how he never would have made it without his faith in God and the support of family and friends. Full of grit, determination, and faith, Daniel’s story is an inspiring reminder to keep pressing on regardless of any setback or disappointment.