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Dave Dravecky: Talent for a Winning Team

October 3rd, 2007 Posted by Amelia

In honor of National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October, we are featuring profiles of programs and people who made a difference for disabled workers.

It’s hard to find someone who personifies a better role model and trailblazer for people with disabilities than Dave Dravecky.

Dave Dravecky was a pitcher who was elected to the All-Star game in his second season for the San Diego Padres. The following year, he led the Padres to their first pennant ever. In 1987, Dravecky pitched a shutout for the San Francisco Giants in the playoffs against the St. Louis Cardinals.

A year later, Dravecky was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his pitching arm. In October 1988, Dravecky had surgery to remove half of his deltoid muscle and freeze the humerus bone to eliminate the cancerous cells. Despite all predictions and medical advice, Dravecky was determined to pitch again.

By July 1989, Dravecky was back to pitching – in the minor leagues. In spite of all the naysayers, he returned to the major leagues on August 10, 1989 – probably the greatest comeback of baseball history. Dravecky pitched 8 innings and the Giants beat the Cincinnati Reds 4 to 3.

In his following start 5 days later, Dravecky pitched 3 no-hit innings. By the fifth inning, however, his left arm was tingling. In the sixth inning, Dravecky fired off a pitch to Tim Raines and his humerus snapped loudly. The event was replayed in sports highlights films for years. Dravecky was 33, and his baseball career was over.

The Giants, inspired by Dravecky’s courage, went on to win the National League pennant. During the post-game celebration, Dravecky’s arm snapped again. While treating this fracture, the doctor noticed a dark mass on the x-ray. The life-threatening cancer was back.

In 1991, doctors amputated Dravecky’s left arm and shoulder to prevent the cancer from spreading.

Many ex-players simply retire quietly, but Dravecky refused to be defeated. He wrote two books about his experiences. Comeback, published in 1990, details the story of his return to the game of baseball against all odds. When You Can’t Come Back, published in 1992, tells the story of the cancer’s return and his retirement.

Dravecky’s books became bestsellers and he went on to a career as a motivational speaker. With his wife Jan, Dravecky founded Outreach of Hope, which offers encouragement to individuals with cancer, amputation or serious illness.
Dave Dravecky was the first person to receive the ODEP SPIRIT Award, honoring an individual with a disability who exemplifies strength in leadership, perseverance in an unyielding commitment to success, integrity, being a role model, independence and being a trailblazer. It’s impossible to think of anyone who deserves the award more.

President George W. Bush proclaimed October National Disability Awareness month as an opportunity to recognize the contributions and accomplishments of Americans with disabilities. It’s also a time to underscore the nation’s commitment to advancing employment for citizens with disabilities and ensure diversity in the workplace.

Until 1990, many disabled people were denied opportunities in the workplace. Homes, businesses and even public buildings were constructed to prevent access by those with disabilities, particularly those in wheelchairs. This all changed with the ADA, the landmark Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990. The ADA made it illegal to discriminate in hiring, promotion, or training of workers with disabilities. Under the ADA, employers must make reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities.

Since 2001, the New Freedom Initiative has helped promote the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society including education, training and employment. Programs such as “Ticket to Work” have helped improve access to employment training and placement services.

Despite the achievements of a few superstars like Dave Dravecky, according to the ODEP, there is still chronic underemployment of workers with disabilities.