9 Seasons

is the time Paulo Orlando spent toiling in the Minor Leagues.  


DJ remembers Paulo from back in 'ye olden days'

Paulo already had a few years of professional baseball

experience when he joined the Naturals

for their inaugural season in 2008.

DJ was a big fan of #16 back then.

And, DJ still remembers Paulo's coaching

from the Naturals' Kids Clinic.

Today, DJ is an even bigger fan of #16 !

This was Paulo Orlando's Major League debut

with the Kansas City Royals!

His first official Major League at-bat?

He lined a ball to the outfield fence.

It was a 'sure-thing' double.

The crowd roared!

Hitting a double for your first at-bat

in the Major Leagues is awesome!

 

He kept going full speed past second base.

 

Getting thrown-out at third after hitting

a sure-thing double is awful.

 

Paulo Orlando played over 1000 games

in the Minor Leagues.

He didn't get called-up to the big leagues

to throttle-down his competitiveness.

He had all of the baseball critics saying,

"a roster slot was wasted on him"

pushing him faster.

 

Safe at third.

 

A roaring blue sea of 20,000+ fans

gave Paulo an extended standing ovation.

 

Sal Perez pretended to throw Paulo's

 mantle-worthy baseball into the stands.

A few weeks ago, Paulo was considered to be
a longshot to make the 25 man roster.

Now, #16 wears Royal blue in The Show.
He had his post game interview
 interrupted by a celebratory Gatorade shower!