Pittsburgh – This weekend, Sid Bream will experience the same old feelings and ideas that he has always experienced: the fact that he has played for the Pirates and Braves. And clearly not your average tenures either. Any fan of the Pirates knows that Bream was at the center of what was maybe the most excruciating play in Pittsburgh baseball history. Bream understands. Bream remarked, “Thirty-two years later, it’s amazing,” in reference to the painful 1992 National League Championship Series defeat for the Pirates. “People still acknowledge me and ask, ‘How could you do that to the Pirates?’
It frequently occurs while I’m out and about.” Bream understands once more the anguish, the misery, the two decades of defeat, and the depressing truth that eight-time Gold Glove winner Barry Bonds was unable to replace a man whose knee had been cut up like a Thanksgiving turkey. This is where the narrative deviates, though. It makes sense that Francisco Cabrera’s single and the Braves’ walk-off victory signal a deteriorating trend for Pirates supporters. For many of you, I’m assuming, Atlanta’s run to the World Series was the worst moment of your childhood sports memories. While Bream acknowledges his irritation, he also recognized an opportunity. Whether it’s at one of his innumerable charity events or in his post-playing career as a motivational speaker and chaplain, the lifelong Christian and Liberty University alumnus never fails to talk about that play. “I’ve been speaking basically ever since that play,” Bream stated.
“It gave me a platform to get up and share in front of people.” At initially unsure and without self-assurance, Bream has developed into his position. He serves as the corporate chaplain for PGT Trucking in Aliquippa and makes charitable contributions to a number of organizations that support young people and Christianity. Bream has effectively taken something negative, the worst baseball play that most of us have ever witnessed, and used it to his advantage to help truck drivers who are having a hard time keeping their connections with their family intact or children who are facing a fatal disease.
“I was involved in a play that did not leave me obsolete in the game of baseball, where only friends and family knew I played,” Bream stated. “Because of that, it has given me opportunities to speak.” I’ve always been enthralled by Bream’s narrative, mostly since he never left. He has stayed in Pittsburgh with his wife Michele, where they are raising their four children (one adopted) in Zelienople. Bream, an enthusiastic outdoorsman, said he preferred his “elbow room” and thought Atlanta was far too large. Never did the Breams sell their home. Since Sid is also from Carlisle, their goal was to bring up their children in Pennsylvania. After Bonds’ throw went foul in the ninth inning, the Pirates blew a 2-0 lead.
Things got ugly, with a death threat and a toilet-papered house. But Bream gives the same response even if someone approaches him now. “Basically I tell them, ‘If you were in my position, what would you have done?'” asked Bream. True enough. In 1990, Bream played a solid defensive first base and hit.270 with an.804 OPS. He also contributed 15 home runs and 67 RBIs. This week, he repeated what the Pirates had promised him earlier: he would be a priority. However, Bream said it was never included in the offer when it came time to negotiate, and his request for no-trade protection was turned down. In the end, Bream agreed to a $5.6 million three-year contract with the Braves. “The Pirates never did anything to make me feel like a priority,” Bream stated. “They never offered me the going rate. I never received a no-trade clause from them. While Atlanta offered me a fantastic contract, they wanted me to stay here for peanuts.
“Nonetheless, I do have happy recollections of my time spent in Pittsburgh.” Amazing that Bream was there for the play and slide as well. In 1989, Bream participated in just 19 games and underwent three knee operations within a four-month period. In addition, frightened of potential outcomes, Bream started to play more cautiously on bunts, taking shorter leads and keeping it simple on slides following the procedures. “I didn’t know what my knee would do if I changed directions,” stated Bream. Bream has been employed by Christian Sports International as a motivational speaker. He’s also done work for the Outdoor Dream Foundation, which is similar to Make-A-Wish except that it focuses on extravagant fishing excursions and elk hunts. Another interest has been serving as a chaplain. Bream has been at PGT for nearly ten years, sharing his stories about his experiences as a professional athlete and the challenges it brings with avoiding temptation and maintaining relationships with spouses and children back home. “Every Monday, I tell the new group coming in, ‘Baseball has been a big help for me to understand what you’re going through,'” Bream stated.
“I didn’t think that I would be here this long, but God continues to give me opportunities.” Bream, who is currently 63, has had an interesting life. He did nothing wrong, but he could have simply left Pittsburgh knowing the kind of hate he would face. Bream, on the other hand, has stuck with and strengthened his religion. He is eager to mention that he has a personal relationship with God, that he prays for things, and that he uses everything to guide his actions.
With the arrival of a fourth in July, the Breams will have three grandchildren. Sid also doesn’t intend to cut back on his PGT schedule, his about 20 speaking engagements year, or any other charitable work he can find. Bream is still as motivated as ever to turn a frustrating occurrence into a positive outcome. “It has been a blessing to do different things and try to help people,” Bream stated. “It’s fun to see change in peoples’ lives when I speak.”My knee altered significantly. I was undoubtedly slowed down enough by it to just miss the throw by a quarter of an inch. However, it also ended up being a very amazing experience for me in terms of my life.”