Ngoepe wants to inspire
Trevor Cramer caught up with rising South African Major League Baseball star Gift Ngoepe in the USA, where he has slowly been carving out a career in Major League Baseball. But it hasn't always been a path paved with gold on route to realising his childhood dream.
The name Mpho 'Gift' Ngoepe has been on everyone's lips since his ground-breaking debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball (MLB) team last week.
Ironically as his country of birth celebrated Freedom Day on April 27th, 27-year-old Ngoepe made MLB history by becoming the first ever African-born player to play MLB.
He has now tasted success and been exposed to the 'Big League' of baseball and has no intention of letting the childhood dream he had back in Randburg, Gauteng, elude him.
A dream journey to a foreign country that started back in 2008 when as an 18-year-old, he was invited to a MLB academy in Italy where he was spotted by a Pirates scout.
"The day I got told that the Pirates were interested in me, liked my raw talent and were willing to work with me was understandably life-changing," recalls Ngoepe.
But why baseball in a soccer, cricket and rugby-mad country ?
Simple really -- Despite being spoiled for choice as a youth and dabbling in both cricket and soccer, baseball remained his first love.
He narrowed it down to soccer or baseball eventually, but with a baseball opportunity looming abroad, it wasn't a difficult decision.
He and his younger brother Victor, who is also currently in the US, were raised at the Randburg Sports Club where his late mother Maureen and the two boys lived in a room on the clubhouse premises of Randburg Mets. His mother worked at the club.
Ngoepe speaks very fondly about the role that his mom played in his life and that of his younger brother and even being separated from his family by thousands of kilometres, he concedes he remained a 'mommy's boy'.
Ngoepe shares the emotion of the day he made his debut at PNC Park against the defending MLB champions, the Chicago Cubs.
"I think my heart skipped a beat a couple of times, " he says.
"It was obviously an incredible day -- living my dream of all these years, being out there and able to play this game I love on the biggest stage of all."
As for the short term future, his goals and ambitions are pretty clear -- to remain in the big league as long as possible.
He admits he is so caught up in the moment and lives his life day-by-day, that long term goals hadn't even crossed his mind.
"I know sport isn't forever, but I don't get too far ahead of myself. I think my biggest decision will be whether I choose to remain in the USA or eventually return to South Africa."
He says he hopes that his journey is an inspiration to young talented baseball players in his home country and that his story helps elevate the profile of what is very much a 'fringe' sport in South Africa.
One thing is for certain though if and when he returns, be it for good or a visit, -- the first thing he will do is arrange a braai with friends and family.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
Ironically as his country of birth celebrated Freedom Day on April 27th, 27-year-old Ngoepe made MLB history by becoming the first ever African-born player to play MLB.
He has now tasted success and been exposed to the 'Big League' of baseball and has no intention of letting the childhood dream he had back in Randburg, Gauteng, elude him.
A dream journey to a foreign country that started back in 2008 when as an 18-year-old, he was invited to a MLB academy in Italy where he was spotted by a Pirates scout.
"The day I got told that the Pirates were interested in me, liked my raw talent and were willing to work with me was understandably life-changing," recalls Ngoepe.
But why baseball in a soccer, cricket and rugby-mad country ?
Simple really -- Despite being spoiled for choice as a youth and dabbling in both cricket and soccer, baseball remained his first love.
He narrowed it down to soccer or baseball eventually, but with a baseball opportunity looming abroad, it wasn't a difficult decision.
He and his younger brother Victor, who is also currently in the US, were raised at the Randburg Sports Club where his late mother Maureen and the two boys lived in a room on the clubhouse premises of Randburg Mets. His mother worked at the club.
Ngoepe speaks very fondly about the role that his mom played in his life and that of his younger brother and even being separated from his family by thousands of kilometres, he concedes he remained a 'mommy's boy'.
Ngoepe shares the emotion of the day he made his debut at PNC Park against the defending MLB champions, the Chicago Cubs.
"I think my heart skipped a beat a couple of times, " he says.
"It was obviously an incredible day -- living my dream of all these years, being out there and able to play this game I love on the biggest stage of all."
As for the short term future, his goals and ambitions are pretty clear -- to remain in the big league as long as possible.
He admits he is so caught up in the moment and lives his life day-by-day, that long term goals hadn't even crossed his mind.
"I know sport isn't forever, but I don't get too far ahead of myself. I think my biggest decision will be whether I choose to remain in the USA or eventually return to South Africa."
He says he hopes that his journey is an inspiration to young talented baseball players in his home country and that his story helps elevate the profile of what is very much a 'fringe' sport in South Africa.
One thing is for certain though if and when he returns, be it for good or a visit, -- the first thing he will do is arrange a braai with friends and family.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre