Portrait of a Comeback

 

On Saturday night at Riverwalk Stadium a drama played out, although going mostly unnoticed by fans in attendance and to little fanfare. In the late innings of a ten to nothing drubbing of the Smokies, essentially a meaningless game for Montgomery, the homestanding Biscuits were putting the finishing touches on their victory to earn a split of the series. Yet a simple call to the Tennessee bullpen signaled an important moment for one player.  

 

But I am ahead of myself. Lets back up. 

 

A HERO FALLS

Moats 2021

The last time we saw pitcher Dalton Moats in Montgomery he was sprawled on the ground beside first base with bones protruding from his leg near his knee and his career very much in question.

It was late summer of 2021, a Sunday doubleheader in August found Moats pitching in relief for the Biscuits as a routine ground ball to first base suddenly became much less than routine, sidelining the southpaw for the season and beyond with multiple fractures of the leg. 

With his distraught girlfriend just feet away at the front of the stands, players from both teams surrounded and shaded Dalton where he fell in the scorching Alabama sun. 

Laying there in pain for the better part of an hour while EMT's stabilized him for transport via ambulance, it was very likely the worst injury in Riverwalk Stadium's twenty seasons.

MOATS ROAD TO RECOVERY

Since that day, to say that Dalton Moats worked hard to come back would be an understatement of criminal proportions. The affable southpaw went through surgeries followed by rigorous training and physical therapy to regain first his ability to walk, then to run and finally to retake the mound and return to his playing career.

Moats with Monarchs

 

Returning for one season in Durham, the Tampa Rays cut Dalton loose following the end of his contract in spite of his much-improved stats, making him a free agent.

Signing with his hometown indie league KC Monarchs, Dalton put up solid numbers and even took a spot starting assignment when needed, just like he did with the Biscuits.

 

On playing with the Monarchs: "It was great to play at home, in front of family and friends, some who hadn't seen me play since high school,"  Dalton said, adding "but it's tough because you want to think you are better than where you are, so you have to go out and prove it."

And prove it he did. Returning to the Monarchs to open this season, Moats dominated in one appearance and quickly earned a return to affiliated ball with the Chicago Cubs.

 

WELCOME BACK

Upon learning he was being assigned to double-A with the Cubs organization, Dalton admits he checked the sked. Montgomery loomed large with a July series just after the 4th. Moats felt very much like we all probably would feel when faced with the prospect of returning to Montgomery, where memories of victory and excitement were turned to pain and doubt in an instant on an August afternoon.

"I came out and looked at that spot for a long time." Dalton told me, glancing to the first base area where he had painfully writhed in the sun three years ago. "I had to make my peace with it, put it behind me so I could move on."

MOATS MOVES ON

And move on he did. After a year of rehab and two stints in independent ball Dalton Moats strode across the chalk line and climbed the hill at Riverwalk Stadium once more. He punched out two Montgomery hitters and allowed no hits or walks in one inning pitched. 

It didn't matter what the final score was on Saturday between the Biscuits and Smokies, the victory was personal for Dalton Moats, certainly one to savor.

A BISCUITS LEGEND AT WORK

For what seemed like more than the three seasons he spent in Montgomery, Dalton Moats was lodged firmly in the Biscuits bullpen. Providing bright commentary and cheerful influence is his M.O. until its go time - then he grasps the orb with intent and determination and no hitter is beyond his ability to baffle. 

Drafted twice, first by the hometown Royals (33rd round) and then by the Rays in 2016 in the 15th round, Dalton worked in the Tampa Rays minor league system for seven seasons, including the rehab from his leg injury. 

Moats started ten games for the Biscuits in 2018 when manager Brady Williams was repeatedly left short-staffed. 

Few players, if any, were more involved in the Biscuits long run of playoff appearances than Dalton Moats who pitched in over 100 games with Montgomery from 2018-2021.

The former Coastal Carolina Chanticleer and Delta State Statesmen southpaw came to Montgomery in 2018 as a raw young gun of 23 years old (just as predicted by Dr.M in January that year!). Moats then worked in the Biscuits pen for three seasons to help push Montgomery into the playoffs each and every year he wore the uniform.

Dalton Moats 2018

 

THE GOOD OL DAYS

From his days as a Biscuit, Moats recalls the 2018 playoff spot clinch as his favorite Montgomery baseball moment. That is one night I am also fond of as well, as I was invited to share the postseason celebration and enjoyed a ride on the little train as the team made a raucous victory lap around the ballpark after the lights were out (no players were injured in the celebrations). Truly it was a moment of baseball brotherhood and camaraderie' to be noted among the greatest of celebrations in Riverwalk's memory.

 

Now, turning 29 in May, Dalton is more of a veteran among his Southern League peers, perhaps simply here to face down his past in order to open the door on his future.

 

What's next for Dalton Moats? Currently on a one year deal with the Cubs, the port-sider is out to prove his worth and establish a market for himself this offseason. So far Moats-arts stats are pretty much as good or better than his last trip through the Southern League.

Pitching overseas is a possibility, the outgoing and friendly hurler is an easy guy to like and mentioned an interest in foreign leagues, opening international travel as an option. 

Dalton is also a budding card collector, showing me an impressive pocketful of cardboard treasures with some of the most popular names in the baseball card scene - he's no fool about the market, he knows having them professionally graded will increase their value and earn a nice return as an investment.

But for now, he remains a Tennessee Smokies hurler, bent upon carving out a career on the mound, which no longer seems quite as difficult as perhaps it once did, before relearning how to take one step at a time.