"God gave us all gifts and talents, but it is what we do with them that is our gift to God." - author unknown
Micah Owings Blog
July Blog 10

July 2010-

This month was quite the month. The Reds continued getting it done, proving to everyone that we are for real! We had 4 guys represent us and the NL at the All-Star Game…Votto, Rolen, Phillips, and my throwing partner-Rhodes! Congrats to all of the guys for their hard work and performance…each is def deserving! Came back from the break after spending a great three days at my home in GA! We didn’t skip much of a beat, continued rolling!

This month I also found out that I was optioned down to AAA (Louisville) to “work on some things.” The way I saw it, get some work in period!  Never the kind of news that you like to hear, especially on a first place/contending team where you feel like you have a lot to contribute! I was a bit frustrated and disappointed, but at the same time anxious to get some work in on a regular basis again!

It was time for me to go out and do what I’ve been blessed to do!  Go through the ‘process’ of regaining confidence, sharpening my skills, and learning things about myself that will make me the man/ballplayer I can/WILL be! Too often in my career and this year I have allowed outside influences to work their way into my thinking to the point where they have affected me, and my performance greatly. While I did my best to fight through and be positive, I am guilty of letting things affect me. The responsibility to perform better and work smarter is mine, I own it, and will work hard to overcome and defeat the things necessary to catapult my career! (Phil 4:13) I began the process and began learning things about myself that I had never known…things that were negative and things I need to work on if I want to be on top of my game! This process began on July 21… a challenging task but one that I am up for and will only be stronger for! Interesting that this same day, just before I was informed, we filmed clips that were used during Faith Day after a game!

I appreciate all the fans that continue to stick by me and have encouraged me! Even the ones that have booed me…I am working on that being a source of strength that fuels me! Thank you! While I’m anxious to get back and help the club make a run at the title, I am going through the process that will enable me to be the best I can be!

To any and every person reading this that has gone through or might go through a similar situation, “God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline”. (2 Tim 1:7)

Blessings and much continued encouragement,

Micah
 
June Blog 2010
June-2010
The month of June was another successful month for the team! One of our trips
this month was to Washington DC! As we approached the midway point and all
star-break we continue to battle it out with the Cardinals! Had a great time in our
nation’s capitol…some great games and solid sight seeing! My girlfriend came in
town to see me and join the sight seeing! Had a blast spending time with her! We
toured a few monuments of US Presidents and wars.
Both of my grandfathers served our country and survived! My Grandpa DeRieux
was a fighter pilot in WWII. My Grandpa Owings, also affectionately referred to
as ‘the Colonel’, made a career in US Army. He fought in WWII but also saw
action in the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam, and other hot spots. Seems like
this day in age the appreciation for our founding fathers and national pride is
fading away. A sad thought and hard to even write that. Harang and Heisey
joined me on the tour to Arlington Cemetery and we made our way to the ‘Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier’. Pretty amazing to see the soldiers out front guarding
the tomb, and I encourage everyone to learn about this tomb and the men that
protect it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Throughout the Cemetery, there is
tomb after tomb and row after row of fallen soldiers.
Friday a group of guys from our team visited some of our wounded warriors
at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While there we met many of them with
missing limbs and heard story after story of tragedy from individuals fighting for
our country. Some who had just been operated on and gotten there, and others
that have been there rehabbing for months and even years. They are recovering
from serious injuries they received while fighting for the freedom we get to enjoy
everyday. One thing each soldier seemed to have in common was a desire to
get back in the field, even after all they have been through. We were told that we
lifted their spirits, but it was an honor for me to be there and made me appreciate
those in service fighting for us even more! If you have ever served, like both my
grandfathers, THANK YOU! Words are not enough for those of us who will never
know the degrees of hostility and even evil that you’ve endured. My prayers
are with each of you that have served and are still serving our country and for
your families and loved ones. Again, Thank You! Blessings to each of you!
While many of us may not physically be at war, we are in battles daily against the
evils of the world. I’m reminded to put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)
to aide in the fight! May God be with you as you too put the Armor on and fight
for His Kingdom!
-mo
June-2010
The month of June was another successful month for the team! One of our trips
this month was to Washington DC! As we approached the midway point and all
star-break we continue to battle it out with the Cardinals! Had a great time in our
nation’s capitol…some great games and solid sight seeing! My girlfriend came in
town to see me and join the sight seeing! Had a blast spending time with her! We
toured a few monuments of US Presidents and wars.
Both of my grandfathers served our country and survived! My Grandpa DeRieux
was a fighter pilot in WWII. My Grandpa Owings, also affectionately referred to
as ‘the Colonel’, made a career in US Army. He fought in WWII but also saw
action in the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam, and other hot spots. Seems like
this day in age the appreciation for our founding fathers and national pride is
fading away. A sad thought and hard to even write that. Harang and Heisey
joined me on the tour to Arlington Cemetery and we made our way to the ‘Tomb
of the Unknown Soldier’. Pretty amazing to see the soldiers out front guarding
the tomb, and I encourage everyone to learn about this tomb and the men that
protect it 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Throughout the Cemetery, there is
tomb after tomb and row after row of fallen soldiers.
Friday a group of guys from our team visited some of our wounded warriors
at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. While there we met many of them with
missing limbs and heard story after story of tragedy from individuals fighting for
our country. Some who had just been operated on and gotten there, and others
that have been there rehabbing for months and even years. They are recovering
from serious injuries they received while fighting for the freedom we get to enjoy
everyday. One thing each soldier seemed to have in common was a desire to
get back in the field, even after all they have been through. We were told that we
lifted their spirits, but it was an honor for me to be there and made me appreciate
those in service fighting for us even more! If you have ever served, like both my
grandfathers, THANK YOU! Words are not enough for those of us who will never
know the degrees of hostility and even evil that you’ve endured. My prayers
are with each of you that have served and are still serving our country and for
your families and loved ones. Again, Thank You! Blessings to each of you!
While many of us may not physically be at war, we are in battles daily against the
evils of the world. I’m reminded to put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18)
to aide in the fight! May God be with you as you too put the Armor on and fight
for His Kingdom!
-mo
 
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May Blog 2010
May 2010- This month was a great month for the Reds! We finished the month out with a stretch of 17 straight games, and have been playing really good baseball. A stretch like that goes much better when you are winning games and playing as good as we are! My arm/body has been adjusting to the bullpen better and bouncing back faster! Workouts have been going great due to the new Ozone training program that I’m on! Feel comfortable with the program I’m on after communicating with Josh (my brother-Ozone Training), Scott Fricke (Boras Training), and Matt (our Reds Strength Trainer). Challenging for me sometimes b/c I like working out but have to balance it more since I could pitch any night. Picked up the book, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman L. Geisler and Frank Turek, this month. Started reading and tough to follow the first few chapters. Ordered the book b/c I was told by our team chaplain that it is a great read for defending our Faith. Still working on it but it explains that Christianity is based largely on logic and reason, not just faith alone. That it actually does take more faith to be an atheist or maybe just ignorance. The two men I mentioned above are brilliant individuals and I’m looking forward to reading more of the book! Til next month! Thank you all for reading and following my career! Blessings to each of you and God be with you my brothers and sisters in Christ! May those that are lost, be found…those that are found be a light to all around! -Micah

 
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April Blog!

April Blog

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday to my brother, Jon Mark! He and some of my other family members came up to Cinci for opening day against the cardinals, and I had a great time with them! My forth opening day and I was as honored as any of the other three! Worked hard this off-season and spring along with the rest of my team and coaches! We are really excited about a new year and playing hard each and every day! I thank my Heavenly Father for the gifts and talents He has given me and that I will use them to Glorify Him!

This month was a pretty good one for us as a team! We played some really good games and have come back to win some close ones! This fighting spirit is what we as a team must keep day in and day out! Most great teams in history of sports have shown a resilience and ability to come back and win close games!

Personally, I am in a new role this year than years past. I am in a roll called the ‘long man’  in the bullpen. While I willingly and graciously accept my role, it is taking some time for me to get used to and working on learning as much as I can as fast as I can! My body has been used to pitching and having a couple of days to rest, now I might pitch an inning one night then come back and throw 2-3 the next. I’m fortunate to have others around me to talk to and learn by talking to them! None of us in any profession can ever stop learning but we must identify our strengths and stick with them!

I love Easter and being reminded that not only was God born (Christmas time), but this time of Easter when He died and Rose from the dead! The most miraculous event ever! Many believe this time is about bunnies and candy, and don’t get me wrong I love candy, but this time is meant to rejoice in our Savior! What a great time of year, with Easter and the beginning of another baseball season!

Read this month in Matthew how Jesus lived as a human and a God. Amazing to me how He lived the perfect life while ministering to so many! Could you imagine prophesying your own death and having one of your close friends turn you in to be condemned for something you never did, then killed. This is what happened to Jesus. He died, was buried, and rose again! At the very end of Matthew Jesus says, “I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.” Hold on to this my brothers and sisters, but while holding on to it we are told to “GO and make followers” (Matthew 28:19)! He is coming back and we don’t know when…

Blessings to All!

-Micah
 
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March Spring Training Blog

March

Hey Everybody! To those of you who visit my site on a regular basis I apologize. I have gotten a little behind and working on refining the site! I appreciate those that take the time to read my blogs! Spring training in Goodyear, Az is now in full swing and games have started!  I got a place with the Nix brothers (Jayson and Laynce) in a real nice house in the Biltmore, Az…just down the road from Scottsdale and plenty of restaurants and malls! The only drawback was that it took 30-40 minutes everyday to get to the complex in Goodyear.

We usually don’t start workouts on the field until 9, but I like getting there early and getting the day going! I have gotten in to a pretty good routine and gonna stick with it throughout spring! Early in spring I was diagnosed with strepp throat really bad and our training staff told me not to come in the next day. Hard for me b/c I wanted to be out there…I called them on the day I didn’t go in and could hardly talk or swallow. Ended up going over to the ER to get some fluids/IV in my system and felt much better a few hours later. Was able to go in the next day but took a toll on my body and lost about 8lbs, that I had to slowly gain back!

About a week later my strength was back and I was feeling good while putting my weight back on was still a bit challenging. Was finishing a bullpen/side session and jogged back over to the field to get my bat for bp. As I went to slow my jog and enter the field through the gate my new spikes slipped on the slick concrete, legs went straight up in the air, and I landed directly on my back. It hurt really bad and went numb right away. Laid on the ground for a minute, then I jumped up and went on my way to get my back and swing! You all know how much I enjoy swinging and pitchers hadn’t hit on the field much yet, so I wasn’t going to miss out.

Over the next 3weeks I had to deal with my back and it just didn’t seem to be getting better. Our training staff is as good as any and we tried everything. Even took some strong anti-inflam pills and got cortisone injection, not one but two. The cortisone seemed to help for a short period of time. In my opinion what really pushed me over the top in recovery was a combination of acupuncture and hip stretching/mobility exercises. Probably could have recovered in less time but I continued to throw and work through the pain. I knew it was important for me to be out there to do everything I could to make the team again!

Spring training was coming to an end when my back/body all seemed to be feeling like normal and strong! What a blessing! Despite my back, I still pitched and remember many times after landing on my left leg to throw a pitch that it would grab and irritate me. Looking back, I know it happened for a reason and was a blessing! Hard sometimes to look at things like that, but it helped me FIGHT even more and FOCUS more on my task at hand…taking care of my body and simplifying my mechanics! A large group of us found out we officially made the team on Good Friday, the Friday before breaking camp and opening day on Monday! Wild to think here I am four years later finding out I made a team full of great talent, and this same day four years ago I made my Big League debut!

Had a great time this spring being back in Az! Excited for the season to begin and this Great Reds team we have! Keep on eye on us as we look to bring the Reds back to winning form and give the city of Cincinnati what they’ve long been waiting for and deserve! Went through Proverbs this spring and was reminded that righteousness and wisdom are to be pursued, and it is a necessity to avoid evil and evil people. I pray that the Holy Spirit would guide me and each of my brothers and sisters in Christ that are reading this…that we will have the wisdom to differentiate from good and bad and the courage to walk when we need to walk! To you that are reading and may not believe in God, I encourage you to seek and be open to a relationship with the One and Only Savior of each of us!

Blessings to each of you!

-Micah
 
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