Editor’s Note: Twenty-five-year old Mossy Oak Pro David Buchanan from Atlanta, Georgia, is living every young baseball player’s dream. He's a starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies professional baseball team. He made his debut in the Major Leagues on May 24, 2014, after signing a contract to play in the Philadelphia Phillies program in 2010.
In the 2014 season, we were playing in St Louis. I started the game for the Phillies. My buddy Wes Grant, his parents and family came to the game to watch me pitch. My sister’s boyfriend and my godfather were also at the game. The weather was perfect. My first pitch of the game was a strike. For my second pitch, the catcher and I got mixed-up on the signs he was giving me to imitate the pitch he wanted me to throw. So, on the second pitch, I unintentionally hit the batter. I thought to myself, “Oh boy, here I go.” But I got myself settled down, and the eighth inning arrived without my allowing a run. In the eighth inning, I had a run that scored, and I was taken out of the game. That game is probably the best and most-memorable game I ever pitched and played for in the Major Leagues. I didn’t allow a run not only because I was pitching well that day, but the rest of my teammates played great defense. Even though my battle always is between me and the batter, without my teammates making plays, catching flies and throwing the runner out at the bases, pitching a perfect game is hard. That’s still my greatest game so far.
I've always worn Mossy Oak Break-Up camo. I have a teammate named Cliff Lee, who’s also a starting pitcher and a big time hunter. When I asked him what kind of camo he wore, he told me, “I wear Mossy Oak.” Cliff can afford to buy any kind of camo in the world. He reaffirmed that I was wearing the right kind of camo. Cliff told me, “Mossy Oak is the best camo you can buy.” So, I was proud to be associated with and be a part of the Mossy Oak Pro Staff when that opportunity presented itself. Too, Cliff is a member of the Mossy Oak Pro Staff. Any time we have the opportunity to go hunting, we go. Most of my hunting has been for deer and ducks. However, during the off-season next hunting season, I'm excited to be going on a mule deer hunt, an elk hunt and hopefully a bear hunt. Our baseball season ends in October. So, I try to do as much hunting as I can until baseball season starts up again. My biggest problem is similar to all the other people who hunt. I just need to find a place where I can go hunting and people with whom I can hunt. I’ll hunt every day during the off-season, if I can. I love it that much. So, now that you understand my problem. Do you know anyone who will take a baseball player hunting? They can call me. I'm available all winter long, every winter.
For more about David Buchanan and the Philadelphia Phillies, go to philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com.
My Toughest Game to Pitch and Every Pitch Is an Adjustment with David Buchanan
Philadelphia Phillies’ David Buchanan on His Route to the Pros and His Partnership with the Catcher
