With all the tragic news about Newington High School graduates lately, it’s nice to read some good news about one of the stars of my graduating class: professional baseball player Joe Serfass, a.k.a. the future Mr. Tara Boisvert. :) From the Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers article titled “Mets’ Serfass finding success in bullpen“:

If one player in the St. Lucie Mets’ clubhouse is an example of rebounding from a potential career-ending injury, it is pitcher Joe Serfass.

The 25-year-old reliever had Tommy John elbow surgery during his freshman season at Eastern Connecticut State University in April of 2000. …

Serfass battled back from the operation and worked as a starter the rest of his college career [winning the Division III national championship in 2002 -ed.] but was moved to the bullpen by the Mets after signing as a nondrafted free agent.

And it is a move that has paid dividends for the organization.

The tall right-hander has a fastball that tops out at just 85 mph, so he relies on crafty pitching to baffle opposing hitters. Instead of blowing the ball by them, Serfass sinks his pitches in and out, letting the defense do the work.

Through the weekend, he was 1-2 with a 1.97 ERA in 32 innings pitched. Opposing batters were hitting just .221 against him, and he had fanned 25 while walking three.

“I’m pretty tough on myself and expect not to give up a run every time I go out there. I’m happy with the numbers so far,” he said.