Day Two Hundred and Nine

The Good Friday

I caught this photo and couldn't get over it. It's just Adam warming up. But to me, it is much more than that. With arms outstretched, Jesus endured the cross for me. So that I might be saved. So that I might have life. So that I might know God. Personally. And nothing can compare to that moment. Nothing.

"At the cross I find the beauty of Your matchless grace.

At the cross I find a King who died to take my place. 

It's the moment that you made me clean and pardoned my soul."

On Good Friday, two days before Easter, Jesus was nailed to a cross, bearing the sins of the world in agony and bloodshed. It's the ultimate love story, and the one that's captivated my heart ever since the day I found Him. 

Thank you, Father, for sending Your Son to die in my place.

On Good Friday of 2012, Adam was given the ball to open the season in Greensboro, North Carolina, after a rain delay pushed the game back. Smile. What a special day to begin his career. It was one that we'll never forget.

Because tonight was so monumental in our journey, I've thrown the rule book of photo of the day out. It's been replaced with photos instead. Here's a little preview of tonight's progression. The bullpen is placed in a neat little corner of the field, 20 feet and directly below a section of the concourse. I took advantage of the perch and caught this one of his glove and shoes. I really like it.

Adam was announced last tonight, and therefore got this perfect placement at the end of the line. While the National Anthem played, I snuck this one quickly. The Grasshoppers don't leave anything out, and as the lyrics "the bombs bursting in air" was sung, a series of fireworks shot up into the sky. It scared the living daylights out of me.

Adam took the mound at 7:15. 60 degrees and ready to go. In the truest of Conley fashions, his first pitch was a strike. And the hitter went down on a punchout. I don't think there's a better way to start a career.

He threw 5 innings and was limited to 95 pitches. 5,200 people filled Newbridge Bank Park and every single one of them got a show. In the first inning, Adam struck out two and our first hitter jacked a bomb over the center field wall. This season is going to be nuts. Repeat of last year's Championship? I think so.

Like a boss (did I just type that?! Hahaha), Adam struck out seven guys in five innings. Check out all those K's in the K-Zone!!! In the second (or third, I can't remember), he retired the side on strikeouts. Stud. He sat 93-96 and hit 97 a few times. The radio announced that he even touched 98 in the first inning, but it's not official. He walked one, gave up 2 hits, but kept them scoreless through 5. Adam got his first W of his professional career and has a perfect ERA of 0.00. So does the entire Grasshoppers bullpen, as they soared passed Lexington 7-0! GO HOPPERS!

http://www.digtriad.com/sports/article/223741/13/THATS-ONE--Hoppers-Win-Opening-Game-7-0-Over-Lexington

Click on the link above to watch a highlight of Adam and the Hoppers! Click the link below to read what Adam had to say about it!

http://gsohoppers.mlblogs.com/2012/04/07/surreal-homer-and-scrambled-brains/