I can't even begin to imagine how frustrating the past calendar year has been for White Sox pitcher Michael Kopech. Last August he made his MLB debut as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball, but after only pitching 14.1 innings over four starts the right-hander needed season-ending Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2019 as well.
The former first-round pick of the Red Sox has had some sort of fame since he was drafted in 2014. He dated reality TV star Brielle Biermann and after their breakup Kopech began to date Canadian actress Vanessa Morgan. They got engaged this past July.
Why am I bringing all this up? Well, it appears that Kopech has been rehabbing his soul along with his body. He posted a long farewell from social media on Wednesday, leaving some words of wisdom for all of us to digest.
I know making a “farewell to social media” post is a bit counter-productive but, I’ve got one last thing to say while I have somewhat of a platform (and I can always deactivate tomorrow).
-I always felt like something was missing. I was always looking ahead but at the same time, my choices from past mistakes still haunted me. So followed anxieties, so followed depression. I needed answers. I needed help. So I searched. And I found. There is no moment like this one, or the next one, and there never will be again. The presence of creation in stillness is a beauty that will never die. In stillness lies our awareness of what’s to come. There is no peace like it. I’m not saying I have life figured out. I am merely another finger pointing to the moon, in awe of its divinity as is all. But in stillness I found awareness to understand myself on the deepest level, and with that awareness I create my own destiny for what my life will entail. Social media has run its course for me, this is not me running from any fears I have. Quite the contrary, this is about me laying down my weapons and embracing all of my fears. So, to my “followers” thank you for making this brief stint of popularity memorable. I’ll cherish each of you in life with the same compassion I hold for myself. I hope you’ll do the same. If you are also looking for peace in the world, seek inward and be that peace. It’s beautiful in there. “Into the wilderness I go, to lose my mind & find my soul”
Now... fire away.
Whatever makes you happy, Michael.
After missing more than a year of action, Kopech has recently said he feels good once again and is ready to rejoin the White Sox next spring training.
