Here’s a new reason for the end of a pitching career: police brutality at a wedding.
Former Astros right-hander Brandon Backe is suing 15 police officers and the city of Galveston, Texas, for between $12 and $15 million in lost wages, claiming injuries he sustained when he and 11 others were beaten during a wedding party in October 2008 effectively ended his major league career.
In testimony in federal court Tuesday, according to the Houston Chronicle, Backe recalled the traumatic night in question. He had just purchased a beer at the outdoor bar when he heard somebody shout, “They got Cole,” a reference to Cole O’Balle, the bride’s brother.
“I could tell by the tone of the voice that something wasn’t right,” Backe said.
Backe went to find O’Balle and saw him face down on the ground surrounded by police with his face bloody and the prongs from a stun gun protruding from his back.
Backe claimed Officer Nicholas McDermott told him to “back the f— up,” and after he backed up as far as he could, several officers jumped him, beating him until he was bloody. He says one officer kicked him in the face.
When Backe fell, his shoulder hit a concrete curb — the injury he claims ended his career (prior to the incident, Backe posted a 6.05 ERA in 31 starts in 2008). He also sustained a broken nose and damage to his skull during the attack.
Backe testified he ignored the pain in his shoulder for a while, but then decided to undergo surgery. He can no longer use his right arm to tuck in a shirt or fasten a seat belt.
After a while, he was forced to come to terms with the fact that his career — highlighted by 7 innings of shutout ball in the 2005 World Series — was over.
“I was sick of the pain, I was sick of taking medication,” he said. “You want to be able to hang it up yourself, not let someone else hang it up for you.”