ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — His condition has kept him grounded, committed, disciplined. There are many adjectives to label what Tampa Bay Rays reserve outfielder Sam Fuld has become to reach and thrive in the major leagues with Type I diabetes.
“Inspiring” is appropriate as well.
“I think, in some ways, the disease has helped me as an athlete,” Fuld said Thursday morning. “It has made me eat in a proper way and a healthy way. It sort of paved the way for me to be a disciplined person.”
A generous one too. Fuld shared his story at Tropicana Field prior to the Rays’ series finale against the Baltimore Orioles, before about 50 students and faculty from the USF College of Nursing. He was diagnosed with the condition, characterized by the body’s inability to produce insulin, at age 10 and has since lived with the realities of his lifestyle: taking insulin injections at least once a day, checking his blood sugar levels eight times a day and three times during games, moving forward as a public figure who uses his situation to educate and raise awareness for others like him.
As a young boy, Fuld displayed the condition’s classic symptoms: Numerous restroom visits and constant thirst. He lost about 10 pounds in a brief time before his parents took him to a physician. The family discovered he had blood sugar levels nearing 500 milligrams per deciliter (between 70 and 100 mg/dL is considered normal). A lifetime of adjustment began.
“A lot of times, the diagnosis is harder on the parents than it is on the actual kid,” said Fuld, 31, now in his sixth major-league season. “I know my parents definitely had a lot of long nights worrying about me, definitely more so than I did. But they did a good job of keeping track of what I ate, counting carbs and helping me learn that whole part of managing the disease. … It set the tone for how to manage the disease for the rest of my life.”
The speech to the students was the latest example of Fuld’s desire to give back. He held his second annual “USF Diabetes Sports Camps” in February, where 115 kids ages 8 to 18 with Type I diabetes took part in a number of activities that included baseball, football and basketball.
Fuld’s condition is part of his life, but it hasn’t kept him from a prolonged major-league career. The Chicago Cubs selected him in the 10th round of the 2004 draft, and he’s a .244 hitter in 249 career games with four home runs and 38 RBI. He joined the Rays before the 2011 season, following three campaigns with the Cubs.
“I love what he’s doing, carrying the message out there,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said. “Kids need to hear that from other people that have done it. They need to hear that, ‘I can do it also.’ Sam, being as bright as he is, carries the message as well as he does. … Sam Fuld, normal-sized person with this particular affliction, can achieve the major-league level and do it at a very high level. I’m very proud of what he does.”
Fuld’s baseball background was an intrigue for the nursing students, who were allowed to ask the player questions during the 22-minute session. There were inquiries about his diet before games. (He tries to eat the same healthy offering, but he drinks Gatorade and keeps gum in his back pocket to keep regulated on the field.) There were inquiries about what advice he would give nurses in dealing with diabetics. (Being positive is a plus.) Among the most revealing questions, though, was one that asked, simply, “Did anyone ever say to you that you shouldn’t play sports?”
“I was actually pretty lucky,” Fuld said. “I got a ton of positive support from the beginning. I feel like that label or that stigma that’s attached to diabetics is sort of eroding at this point. Even 20 years ago, I was given nothing but encouragement from family and doctors. … The reality is, I’ve gotten a ton of good feedback and good support. I’m lucky in that regard.”
“He had a very positive outlook on it. That’s a good thing,” said Chad Socha, a first-year student in the audience. “A lot of people with diabetes, they can definitely take the negative route, if you will. He didn’t let it get him down whatsoever. He dealt with it very well. Obviously, he’s in the major leagues right now. He’s one of the biggest hustle players out there on the field today, in my opinion. It’s really good to see that.”
Said Rita D’Aoust, the college’s associate dean for academic affairs and director for interprofessional initiatives: “He portrays health. … He showed the nursing students what you can achieve with good management and good knowledge.”
And a good outlook. Grounded, committed, disciplined — all are words that apply to Fuld and his lifestyle.
“Giver” does too.
You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.
