Sports mimic the trials and tribulations of life: the victories and losses, the tragedies and redemptions, the falls from grace and the miraculous comebacks. Life and sports stories are as complex as a Shakespearean play.

No matter the complexity, seldom does a piece of sporting equipment have such a profound effect on a person’s own tragedy, his fall from grace and his comeback. Yet, that was the case in the life of SQ Giant utility infielder Carlos “Los” Valdez.

Valdez overcame hatred for law enforcement and for the people who attacked him with a brick. At 16-years old, Valdez suffered brain damage from that attack and had to be stabilized by a medical device known as a Halo.

“At the age of 16, I suffered a brain injury, resulting in my need for emergency brain surgery,” said Valdez. “After my life-saving surgery, I had to learn to walk, speak and regain my strength and mobility, or at least try. That was demoralizing and very difficult.”

Valdez admits he was too young and immature to forgive the tactics used by local law enforcement.

“My attitude towards the system changed while I recovered in the hospital,” said Valdez. “A gang detective asked me about the incident and said he knew who threw the brick at me, but, ‘I deserved what happened to me because I was a gang member.’ My attempt to peacefully break-up a fight would never be viewed as a heartfelt gesture, because I was affiliated.”

Valdez could not process anger properly while healing from traumatic brain injury and nine months after his surgery, he attended a party where, a fight broke out with someone wielding an aluminum baseball bat.

Valdez confiscated the bat and struck his victim four times, killing him.

“I had hardly scratched the surface of my medical rehabilitation from a serious injury,” said Valdez. “I now realize I could not process grief or anger properly. I was 17 acting like a 10-year-old because my brain did not heal instantaneously.”

After years of court deliberation, Valdez was tried as an adult and sentenced to twenty-five years to life plus thirty-eight years.

“Spending more than half my life incarcerated, I’ve made some bad choices. Because of those immature decisions, I spent seven years in Ad-Seg,” said Valdez. “Being in the hole for years during my time in county jail and prisons affected my perceptions of reality. I lost hope and believed that a false sense of masculinity was going to cause me to live my life in a miserable and regretful way.”

During his last stint in Administrative Segregation, Valdez realized that he had to take control of his life.

“I can choose to make the best of each day and not allow my circumstances to define me as a person,” said Valdez. Valdez then transferred to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

“San Quentin Rehabilitation Center has helped my overall healing and rehabilitation by providing numerous programs,” said Valdez. “I’m now convinced the work for me must be lifelong so can I fully enrich my self and society.”

For his hard work at SQRC, Valdez received a sponsorship to be resentenced after contacting Santa Clara’s District Attorney.

“Staff, incarcerated residents, and volunteers helped align my direction over the years,” said Valdez. “I’ve matured a lot. My journey was not child’s play, because if I stayed immature, I could have gotten hurt or killed.”

It’s ironic that a baseball bat took his freedom and also helped restore his humanity as he grew up in prison.

“When I got to SQRC, I came out to play baseball for exercise,” said Valdez.

SQ Giant pitcher Patrick Poteat spoke about Valdez’s integrity.

“He is a great athlete-very humble,” said Poteat. “Los became a great asset to our team and is now poised to become a better teammate, unless he is granted the release he deserves. We hope he hits a home run in court.”

Valdez is now happily married, and has a beautiful family with two kids. He also acknowledges that he has received support for a ‘best chance scenario,’ to be successful when he paroles to his father’s home.

Valdez believes the court’s decision to accept his application to be resentenced stemmed from his permanent brain damage. His counsel is asking the juvenile courts to transfer the proceedings back to its jurisdiction.

“My legal team believes I should have been tried in the Juvenile Courts instead of being transferred over to the Adult Criminal Court system,” said Valdez. “As a victim of a violent crime myself, I lost my adolescence and years of memories from my own life. My counsel and mentors believe that I was inappropriately, and illegally tried as an adult.”

Valdez is excited to have a chance to, “Go to bat one more time, this time with a clearer head and more insight.”

“At my new hearing I’ll be able to recall details and information about my traumatic healing,” said Valdez. “I have gained insight about traumatic brain injuries and can now relate to most victims of the life changing injury. I hope to be able to present these facts to the court.”

Still, Valdez believes his transformation will never make him worthy enough to go home, because his victim will never be able to go home. However, if given the opportunity, he plans to contribute to society by serving youth in diversion and sharing his journey with victims of traumatic brain injury.

“We really hope Los goes home so he can continue recuperating from the permanence of his own injuries,” said SQ Giant pitcher, Robert Nash.