Travis Whitmore’s day began on the bench.It ended with his teammates mobbing him between first and second base.FORT WAYNE – Drew Cumberland only knew one way to play the game: all out.
That drive at Pace (Fla.) High School made him the No. 46 overall pick by the San Diego Padres in the 2007 baseball draft. That drive was on display for two seasons in Fort Wayne. And that drive had him on the fast track as one of the top prospects in San Diego’s system.
But with one week remaining in spring training. Cumberland dove for a ground ball in the hole. The shortstop smacked his head hard. His glasses fell off the top of his hat. He ripped his jersey.
Cumberland got to his feet to attempt the throw.
And he was so dizzy, he almost fell back down.
“It was definitely another concussion,” Cumberland said.
Dizziness, migraines and vision issues had plagued Cumberland in the past.
In June, the concussions, and having been diagnosed with bilateral vestibulopathy, led to a decision to retire at the age of 22.
Cumberland returned to the game Aug. 17 as a coach with the TinCaps.
“At first, honestly, I was kind of mad at the game, bitter. I didn’t want to think about it,” Cumberland said. “The more and more I sat at home, I’ve always loved this game.
“You want to do something that makes you happy. Any time I start talking about it, it puts a smile on my face. I’m like a little kid out there. Any way I can help the guys and just contribute in some way, I’m happy with that.”
The symptoms for bilateral vestibulopathy, according to the American Hearing Research Foundation website, include “imbalance and visual problems.”
Cumberland suffered a concussion while playing football as a freshman in 2003.
He was unconscious for two hours and days later, felt dizzy. He began eye exercises after visiting a doctor. For the most part, he decided to keep it under wraps.
Cumberland continued to play at a high level. He had a .293 average with the TinCaps’ 2009 championship squad. He participated in the 2010 Futures Game, which highlights the top prospects in minor league baseball. Baseball America listed him as the No. 9 prospect in San Diego’s organization.
But problems lingered. Last year, while playing with Lake Elsinore, he had difficulty seeing a couple of balls hit at him. Luckily, he put his glove up for the catch at the last moment.
He said he had a good offseason, but the symptoms returned in spring training. The diving play had lingering effects. He would forget what people were talking about in mid-conversation.
He finally opened up to the Padres’ front office. Testing followed in multiple states. And finally, the diagnosis.
Cumberland went out to field a few more grounders in late June. He felt dizzy briefly after diving.
It forced the difficult decision. He met with Padres management, which offered him a coaching or scouting position. After taking a couple of weeks off, Cumberland decided to give coaching a try.
“I’m starting to accept this now. There’s more to life than baseball,” Cumberland said. “At least if I could stay in baseball in some way, that’s awesome.”
Doug Dascenzo watched Cumberland’s growth as a player.
He managed him for the two years in Fort Wayne and for a short time last season at San Diego’s Double-A club in San Antonio. He thinks Cumberland will adjust well to his new role.
“It will be an easy transition for him because of the passion he has for the game, his work habits,” San Antonio’s manager said in a phone interview. “All those things that are attributed to the type of player he was, he will be able to use as a coach.”
