Day Thirteen Hundred and Ninety-Nine

The MLB (Starting) Debut

Yesterday!!!

Oh, what fun! 

Dad made his MLB starting debut and it was far better than any words could describe! Definitely, a dream come true and so much more!! We were excited. We were nervous. We were prepared and anxious. But most of all, we were sooooo cuuuuuuute! And by "we," I mean Amelia. She stole the show for sure...although Adam's WIN did come in close second ;)

Praise God for such an incredible experience!

We are humbled, encouraged, and so very thankful for the gifts He's given Adam and the ability to share them - and most of all Him - with such a grand audience. Yesterday, Adam took the ball at 4PM (I have to laugh and mention the fact that this was his FOURTH day game start in a row - the curse lives on!), and cruised to a 14-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds at Marlins Park. What an honor it was to take that ball. It'll be a treasured memory forever.

Here are a few photos of Adam's first start as a Major League baseball player...from mine and several other people's cameras!

Adam warming up in the 'pen.

All the way from Kentucky...Adam's Daddy sent me this!

We missed his parents tremendously, but are so happy they were able to watch their son's life-long goals come to fruition, even from a TV screen!!

Team store's jersey line-up of the game, sent by a friend!

(I don't know what it was about this picture, but the second I saw it, I started crying. Haha! So neat.)

Pre-game bullpen.

Announcing the starters. 

Adam started and batted ninth.

National Anthem at Marlins Park.

First pitch: STEEEEE-RIKE!!!

Even Amelia was getting into it...and if you know anything about this girl...it's that she sleeps through most every ball game. Not this one though! She was so proud of her daddy! 

(Ok, let's be real. The girl just likes iPhone screens hahaha)

Hey Pitcher Pitcher Pitcher.

Pitcher's got a...big butt?

No, that doesn't work. 

He's got a filthy fastball though!

(Can you hear my wife-pride beaming?! Ha!)

(Both above photos were taken by Dennis Bancroft...a photographer for the Marlins...SNAPPYD99 on Instagram. THANK YOU!!)

We see you Daddy!!!!

Your girls were cheering and screaming, crying and smiling, dancing and hollering for you!

So were Grandma and Grandpa!

Daddy on deck. 

He had one at-bat...

...And though it wasn't a hit...

...Adam did his job...

...and bunted Ichiro over to second with one out in the Third!!

The fact that I'm able to type that is surreal to me. Adam grew up in Washington State, just 60 miles South of Seattle, where the Mariners play ball. In high school and throughout college, Adam watched Ichiro play in a stadium that he too played in during the 4A State High School Championship. And yesterday, Adam's bunt moved him into scoring position. Wild stuff and so much fun!!!

Good job Dada!

We like it when you get your bunts down!

And when you throw strikes!

47 of 74 pitches were strikes yesterday.

He faced 21 hitters in 5 innings with 3 groundouts and 5 flyouts.

#61 was done after 5 with the Fish trailing 0-2, but only having thrown 74 pitches (he normally throws around 100). If we'd been in the lead, he probably would've gone out for the Sixth, but in the Big Leagues, all that matters is wins. And with Adam coming up to bat with the potential game-tying run in his hands, the manager decided to go with a pinch hitter instead...a decision that ultimately gave Adam the W, as the Marlins scored FIVE runs in the bottom of the Fifth! 

Watching his team round the bases!

With a 8-run Seventh and a 1-run Ninth adding more cushion, Adam's Major League Starting Debut ended in a WIN for the Marlins!!! Go Fish!! We see you up on the screen, Winner!

:)

The Conley Three!

Our favorite baseball photo yet!

(Because let's face it...Daddy just looks good in that uniform!)

SO HAPPY!

Thanks to all our friends and family for such tremendous support! 

To his parents who provided countless opportunities for Adam to excel in his sport...he could never have accomplished what he has without you. Thank you endlessly.

To his family, teammates, and friends who pushed him forward and encouraged his dreams...he wouldn't be the player and friend he is without you. Thank you.

To his coaches and trainers who imparted wisdom, guidance, discipline, and experience...he wouldn't be the student of the game that he is today without you. Thank you.

To his doctors and chiropractor (pictured above) who offer care, knowledge, and life to his body...he wouldn't have maintained such extreme health without you. Thank you.

To his team who drafted him and gave him a chance...Thank you.

To his fans who make this incredible game the reason he's able to call it his job...thank you.

But more than anyone,

To his God who gave him the unique ability to throw a baseball...he wouldn't have this life, this platform, this marriage, or this family without Your daily provision, Your daily sustenance, Your daily offering of grace, mercy, love, and freedom, and Your final death on the Cross that gives us life everlasting. Thank you Jesus for...every single thing.

His line:

5IP, 5H, 2R, 2ER, 2BB, 2K, 1HR and the W

Some articles:

http://www.foxsports.com/florida/story/miami-marlins-adam-conley-spot-start-071115?vid=482822211889

https://washingtonstate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1782147

http://m.mlb.com/news/article/136173234/dee-gordon-hurt-but-marlins-rout-reds?game_pk=414962

http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Marlins-Put-Up-14-Runs-in-Win-Over-Reds-314024801.html