Maybe this is news to some of you. Pretty cool story...
By Addison Plank
STILLWATER – Jeff Newberry thought he played a good game.
When he was eight years old, Newberry's youth baseball team almost upset the league's best team. After the game, the opposing team's coach, former Major League baseball player Delino DeShields Sr., gave Newberry's parents a call.
DeShields Sr. said that Newberry had pitched well that day and that he was one of the best pitchers they had faced all year. He also offered Newberry a spot on his baseball team. The team's roster included the coach's son, Delino DeShields Jr.
Newberry and DeShields Jr. quickly became best friends.
During their playing days, Newberry and DeShields Jr. would spend weeks at a time at each other's house.
"I wouldn't go home." Newberry said. "My mom would call me saying, 'You're going to wear out your welcome!' But, then he would stay at my house for two weeks at a time too."
The two also found success on the field as they developed throughout their little league careers. Newberry and DeShields Jr. played together until they were 15, and then Newberry decided to focus on his basketball career.
"I always liked basketball more," Newberry said. "I always felt like I was just playing baseball because other people wanted me to play baseball. I ended up going with basketball because that was my passion."
But even though they no longer played on the field together, the friendship between Newberry and DeShields never wavered.
DeShields Jr.was drafted out of high school by the Houston Astros with the 8th pick of the 2010 MLB Draft. During his three years in the Houston organization, DeShields never reached the big leagues, but in 2014 he was selected by the Texas Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft.
The Rule 5 Draft allows players that are not protected on the 40-man rosters to be drafted by different organizations at the Winter Meetings. The players selected remain on the organization's 25-man roster for the duration of the season.
During the 2015 season, DeShields worked his way into the Rangers starting lineup and has helped lead the team into the playoffs.
"His success has motivated me to want to be better." Newberry said. "I can go turn on the TV and see my best friend now. I want it to be the same for me."
Newberry graduated from Westlake High School in Atlanta, he redshirted as at Ole Miss during the 2011-2012 season. He then transferred to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla. As a redshirt freshman, he averaged 14 points for the Norseman.
Newberry transferred to New Mexico Junior College for his sophomore season. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.7 assists per game, and led the team to the second round of the NJCAA National Tournament.
That wasn't enough for Newberry though. He wanted to be like his best friend.
"Delino (DeShields) told me I need to go get mine now," Newberry said.
Newberry then signed with Oklahoma State as the top point-guard prospect in the junior college ranks. He started 20 games, and helped the Cowboys reach the NCAA Tournament once again.
Though the transfers could be seen as trials, Newberry is now a senior at OSU and is ready to be a leader for the Cowboys this season.
"He's my brother," DeShields said. "We have the same goals. It's nice to surround yourself with people who work hard, and know how to adjust when life throws you curveballs."
DeShields has gone 6-for-20 (.300 average) with two RBI in the 2015 MLB postseason, including adding an insurance run during the 14th inning in Game 2 of the ALDS. The run put the Rangers ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4, and Texas won the game.
The success of Newberry and DeShields athletic careers has impacted their relationship in a positive way, and the motivation to be the best is constant between the two.
"This success is something we've wanted since we were young," Newberry said.
"God gave us this gift, and we need to use it," DeShields said.
With the MLB playoffs in full swing, and Cowboy basketball around the corner, some successes are yet to be seen. But perhaps, the foundation of best friends turned family, is a triumph in itself.
By Addison Plank
STILLWATER – Jeff Newberry thought he played a good game.
When he was eight years old, Newberry's youth baseball team almost upset the league's best team. After the game, the opposing team's coach, former Major League baseball player Delino DeShields Sr., gave Newberry's parents a call.
DeShields Sr. said that Newberry had pitched well that day and that he was one of the best pitchers they had faced all year. He also offered Newberry a spot on his baseball team. The team's roster included the coach's son, Delino DeShields Jr.
Newberry and DeShields Jr. quickly became best friends.
During their playing days, Newberry and DeShields Jr. would spend weeks at a time at each other's house.
"I wouldn't go home." Newberry said. "My mom would call me saying, 'You're going to wear out your welcome!' But, then he would stay at my house for two weeks at a time too."
The two also found success on the field as they developed throughout their little league careers. Newberry and DeShields Jr. played together until they were 15, and then Newberry decided to focus on his basketball career.
"I always liked basketball more," Newberry said. "I always felt like I was just playing baseball because other people wanted me to play baseball. I ended up going with basketball because that was my passion."
But even though they no longer played on the field together, the friendship between Newberry and DeShields never wavered.
DeShields Jr.was drafted out of high school by the Houston Astros with the 8th pick of the 2010 MLB Draft. During his three years in the Houston organization, DeShields never reached the big leagues, but in 2014 he was selected by the Texas Rangers in the Rule 5 Draft.
The Rule 5 Draft allows players that are not protected on the 40-man rosters to be drafted by different organizations at the Winter Meetings. The players selected remain on the organization's 25-man roster for the duration of the season.
During the 2015 season, DeShields worked his way into the Rangers starting lineup and has helped lead the team into the playoffs.
"His success has motivated me to want to be better." Newberry said. "I can go turn on the TV and see my best friend now. I want it to be the same for me."
Newberry graduated from Westlake High School in Atlanta, he redshirted as at Ole Miss during the 2011-2012 season. He then transferred to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami, Okla. As a redshirt freshman, he averaged 14 points for the Norseman.
Newberry transferred to New Mexico Junior College for his sophomore season. He averaged 13.5 points and 3.7 assists per game, and led the team to the second round of the NJCAA National Tournament.
That wasn't enough for Newberry though. He wanted to be like his best friend.
"Delino (DeShields) told me I need to go get mine now," Newberry said.
Newberry then signed with Oklahoma State as the top point-guard prospect in the junior college ranks. He started 20 games, and helped the Cowboys reach the NCAA Tournament once again.
Though the transfers could be seen as trials, Newberry is now a senior at OSU and is ready to be a leader for the Cowboys this season.
"He's my brother," DeShields said. "We have the same goals. It's nice to surround yourself with people who work hard, and know how to adjust when life throws you curveballs."
DeShields has gone 6-for-20 (.300 average) with two RBI in the 2015 MLB postseason, including adding an insurance run during the 14th inning in Game 2 of the ALDS. The run put the Rangers ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4, and Texas won the game.
The success of Newberry and DeShields athletic careers has impacted their relationship in a positive way, and the motivation to be the best is constant between the two.
"This success is something we've wanted since we were young," Newberry said.
"God gave us this gift, and we need to use it," DeShields said.
With the MLB playoffs in full swing, and Cowboy basketball around the corner, some successes are yet to be seen. But perhaps, the foundation of best friends turned family, is a triumph in itself.
