Scott Spiezio, the World Series champion known for his pivotal home run in the 2002 series with the Anaheim Angels, faced a life-threatening battle with alcoholism years after his baseball career. At age 47, Spiezio's liver was failing, and doctors gave him a 20% chance of survival. He was told he needed to stop drinking for six months before he could qualify for a life-saving liver transplant.

Spiezio reflected on his struggle, saying, "I went from a guy that never drank alcohol to thinking I don't know if I can go six months without drinking to save my own life." After the 2002 World Series win, he admitted that he began "edging God out," and his life took a turn for the worse.

Following his success with the Angels, including a memorable home run against the San Francisco Giants, Spiezio left the team after the 2003 season and signed a three-year, $9 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.

Spiezio also recalled moments from his career and life, including his father's belief that he was destined to be a ballplayer and his own prayers during critical plays: "Everything was in slow motion. I was running to first, I was watching the ball, I was literally praying, like, God, please push this out, like let this go." He described hearing "the loudest noise in my life" during a defining moment.

Despite the odds, Spiezio's story is a testament to the challenges athletes can face off the field and the difficult road to recovery.

Sources