CATCHING HIS BIG BREAK: That's exactly what Ashur Tolliver, 28, of Sherwood, a left-handed pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles' Class AA affiliate the Bowie Baysox, recently had when he caught a ball hit up the middle with his barehanded pitching hand. Big deal considering Tolliver, in the spring of 2012, underwent a major labrum surgery that could have ended his career. The Sylvan Hills graduate was called up to the Baltimore Orioles last Tuesday.
The Little Rock native fills a vacancy left by the trade of pitcher Brian Matusz to the Atlanta Braves. Before being drafted during the fifth round by the Orioles in 2009, Tolliver, who graduated from Oklahoma City University, had transferred to the Oklahoma City Stars from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
"He threw well. He's done well in Double-A. He's earned his opportunity. He's worked hard for this opportunity," Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told The Baltimore Sun recently.
Meanwhile, Tolliver told Steve Melewski of Mid-Atlantic Sports Network that he always thought he'd be on the Orioles' big-league roster.
"I don't think I ever lost hope, but there were times when it was so far away with the injuries," he says. "It seemed like such a long shot."
HIS HOME RUN: Speaking of baseball, Arkansas filmmaker Larry Foley's The First Boys of Spring screens at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, N.Y., Friday night.
"Having my film screened at the National Baseball Hall of Fame is a high water mark for a boy who loved the game, but struggled to play it well," he shares on Facebook.
HIS SPECTACULAR PINNACLE: Former Little Rock resident Jeff Glasbrenner recently became the first American amputee to reach the 29,000-foot-plus summit of Mount Everest. He and his team reached the summit May 18.
Glasbrenner, who lost his right leg in a farming accident when he was 8, went on to excel athletically, becoming a three-time Paralympian and a two-time world champion in wheelchair basketball. He also finished 25 long-distance triathlons. It was only in recent years that he began climbing.
While living in Arkansas, Glasbrenner and his wife, the former Elizabeth Smiley, were involved supporters of the Access private schools for children and students with developmental and/or learning delays.
THEIR DOG ZEKE: Catholic High School for Boys in Little Rock and Brother Richard Sanker lost their beloved dog, Zeke, which died Monday night with his master by his side. The German shepherd joined Catholic High as a puppy 13 years ago and was a fixture around the school, through years of incoming and graduating classes.
"In Zeke's golden years he was slower but still an intrinsic part of the school," Principal Steve Straessle told the students in a eulogy that included a photo of Zeke and was recently posted on the school's Facebook page. "We will dearly miss him."
Contact Linda S. Haymes at (501) 399-3636 or lhaymes@arkansasonline.com
Metro on 05/29/2016