Brogna, who started his career in the Detroit Tigers organization, and has since played with the Mets, Phillies and Red Sox, has never regretted his decision to help others with the disease. From the moment he sent a letter to the Spondylitis Association of America, volunteering to become a spokesman, he has been overwhelmed by the response he's received from other spondylitis sufferers. My mom kept after me. She was persuasive in thinking I could help people. Ultimately, I saw the light and it's been a blessing.
Mom knows best.
After leading the Class AA Eastern League in home runs and RBI the year before, he was playing for Class AAA Toledo and figuring to make the jump to the big leagues in September. I didn't know what to do. It was awful. I didn't say anything. I was trying to be Mr. Tough Guy and play through it.