Iraq War Veteran Amputee Daniel Jacobs Gets Tryout with Detroit Tigers

Nine years ago, Navy Corpsman Daniel Jacobs was badly wounded when an IED exploded near his Humvee in Ramadi, Iraq. Jacobs’ left leg was amputated below the knee, he lost three fingers on his left hand and two toes on his right foot plus other shrapnel wounds. He wasn’t expected to survive, but the gritty 29 year old has made it about as far back as one can get. He has run a half marathon on a prosthetic leg and plays in a college baseball summer league, hoping to inspire other wounded veterans. He’s a pretty good baseball player and on March 9th, he took the field at a tryout for the Detroit Tigers.

Jacobs has previously had tryouts with the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. Whether or not he ever plays in the majors, he is accomplishing his mission of inspiration to his fellow veterans.