The new hands-over-the-head windup motion was something Cole discovered accidentally before his surgery. “I was just goofing around one day … during last summer,” he explained.
He found that the altered mechanics suited his preferences. “It felt good.
I liked the rhythm. I just kind of stuck with it,” Cole said.
Cole also monitored how his pitches performed relative to different setups.
“I’ve been checking to see how the stuff is relative to the stretch and the windup,” he noted.
Reflecting on the low point of entering surgery, Cole detailed the psychological weight of the procedure.
“It’s hard to get any lower than when you’re going into it,” he said. He acknowledged the persistent setbacks during rehabilitation.
“And then you keep hitting the bottom,” Cole added.
He remained aware of the clinical risks.
“I don’t know of anybody that hasn’t come out of the Tommy John room, but that contributes to your low point going in,” he said.
>>> Kelowna Rockets Open Memorial Cup Against Kitchener Rangers
Cole maintained a balanced outlook to avoid perfectionism affecting his recovery. “I’m still pragmatic about it,” he stated.
He focused strictly on short-term milestones. “I don’t take it more than one day at a time.
I never let myself think I wasn’t gonna come back, and I’ve never let myself think this is all gonna be fine and there’s gonna be no challenges and it’s gonna come back better.
I’m always trying to stay in the middle,” Cole explained.
