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| Copyright 2006 Oshawa Dodgers |
Max Reid Award Winner - Matt Tosoni
The Max Reid Award is named after the father of former
Oshawa Dodger Darryl Reid who played first base for
the Dodgers since it’s inception in 2002. Max was
involved with the conception of the Dodgers and lived
and breathed the sport of baseball. Sadly, Max Reid
passed away three months prior to the Dodger’s first
season. To honour his memory, the Dodgers played their
inaugural season in memory of Max and wore his number
fourteen on their sleeves. The Max Reid award is in
recognition of the player who exemplifies perseverance and dedication and this
year’s recipient couldn't be more deserving. Matt Tosoni embodies all of the
qualities this award represents. Matt has played for the Dodgers since 2003.
His baseball accomplishments are many including being the only Canadian
pitcher to beat Cuba in 2002 and one of only two pitchers in the nation to beat
the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in one of his four spot starts of the 2004 season.
He is an all around outstanding athlete as well as an exceptional person. In
October of 2004 while attending St. John’s University, a division I school, on a
baseball scholarship and primed to have a breakout season as one of the Red
Storm’s starters, Matt became extremely ill. He was flown home to receive
treatment for ulcerative colitis, a disease he has been afflicted with since the age
of seventeen. When medication proved ineffective, Matt was forced to have
emergency, life-threatening surgery in December to remove his large intestine
and rectum, with two more surgeries to follow in April and July 2005. No one
within the Dodgers organization expected they would see Matt Tosoni this
season and perhaps never see him play baseball again. The Dodgers home
opener arrived on May 14th and much to everyone’s surprise, Matt arrived to
cheer the team on. Although still very ill, the twenty-one year old 6’5” left-
handed pitcher had dramatically dropped almost 100 pounds, he came to root for
his teammates. Matt was only able to walk a few feet at a time and was
accompanied by his father, who carried a chair for him to sit in. To the team, it
was shocking to see the effervescent Matt in such a condition. With the
dramatic weight loss and general unwellness, Matt was almost unrecognizable
from the player who was once the ace of the Dodgers staff. Matt was only able
to stay for an inning that game before feeling too ill to continue. From that day
forward Matt continued to attend all the Dodgers games, even going on most of
the road trips and his condition steadily improved. Although the team did not fare
well this year with the multitude of injuries and lack of commitment from other
players, Matt continued to attend the games and was an inspiration to his
teammates. On July 8th, Matt had his final surgery. He was released from the
hospital on July 11th and was back with the team for a road game in Toronto
July 17th, just over a week after his surgery showing his devotion and
commitment in support of the Dodgers. The defining moment of the Dodgers
season came on August 2nd, the final playoff game for the Dodgers. With the
okay of his doctors and parents in attendance, Matt came to the plate for his
first at-bat of the season. Although instructed not to swing by Coach May, Matt
even fouled off a pitch before walking and getting an RBI. The fans and both
teams treated Matt to a rousing ovation. By Matt’s own admission, the Dodgers
were of great help in his road to recovery, giving him the motivation to get to
where he is today and overcoming his illness. In turn, what was in essence a
disappointing Dodgers season was given meaning in being able to watch and
help Matt fight and win such a battle. Today, Matt is back at St. John’s
hopefully being able to pitch in the 2006 season. On September 18th Matt’s
college team, in an effort to raise money for Crohn's and Colitis, attended a Mets
game at Shea Stadium in honour of Matt and his triumph over ulcerative colitis
where Matt and others who are afflicted were honoured on the field. He has
also been the focus of media attention having had articles written about him in
the NY Times Ledger, Oshawa This Week and was even mentioned in USA
Today. Just another indication of the respect Matt is held with in the baseball
community. Matt is continually working hard to prepare for next season. He
will be back with the Dodgers in whatever capacity he is available and the
Dodgers are fortunate to have such a quality player and person in their
organization.
The Max Reid Award is named after the father of former
Oshawa Dodger Darryl Reid who played first base for
the Dodgers since it’s inception in 2002. Max was
involved with the conception of the Dodgers and lived
and breathed the sport of baseball. Sadly, Max Reid
passed away three months prior to the Dodger’s first
season. To honour his memory, the Dodgers played their
inaugural season in memory of Max and wore his number
fourteen on their sleeves. The Max Reid award is in
recognition of the player who exemplifies perseverance and dedication and this
year’s recipient couldn't be more deserving. Matt Tosoni embodies all of the
qualities this award represents. Matt has played for the Dodgers since 2003.
His baseball accomplishments are many including being the only Canadian
pitcher to beat Cuba in 2002 and one of only two pitchers in the nation to beat
the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in one of his four spot starts of the 2004 season.
He is an all around outstanding athlete as well as an exceptional person. In
October of 2004 while attending St. John’s University, a division I school, on a
baseball scholarship and primed to have a breakout season as one of the Red
Storm’s starters, Matt became extremely ill. He was flown home to receive
treatment for ulcerative colitis, a disease he has been afflicted with since the age
of seventeen. When medication proved ineffective, Matt was forced to have
emergency, life-threatening surgery in December to remove his large intestine
and rectum, with two more surgeries to follow in April and July 2005. No one
within the Dodgers organization expected they would see Matt Tosoni this
season and perhaps never see him play baseball again. The Dodgers home
opener arrived on May 14th and much to everyone’s surprise, Matt arrived to
cheer the team on. Although still very ill, the twenty-one year old 6’5” left-
handed pitcher had dramatically dropped almost 100 pounds, he came to root for
his teammates. Matt was only able to walk a few feet at a time and was
accompanied by his father, who carried a chair for him to sit in. To the team, it
was shocking to see the effervescent Matt in such a condition. With the
dramatic weight loss and general unwellness, Matt was almost unrecognizable
from the player who was once the ace of the Dodgers staff. Matt was only able
to stay for an inning that game before feeling too ill to continue. From that day
forward Matt continued to attend all the Dodgers games, even going on most of
the road trips and his condition steadily improved. Although the team did not fare
well this year with the multitude of injuries and lack of commitment from other
players, Matt continued to attend the games and was an inspiration to his
teammates. On July 8th, Matt had his final surgery. He was released from the
hospital on July 11th and was back with the team for a road game in Toronto
July 17th, just over a week after his surgery showing his devotion and
commitment in support of the Dodgers. The defining moment of the Dodgers
season came on August 2nd, the final playoff game for the Dodgers. With the
okay of his doctors and parents in attendance, Matt came to the plate for his
first at-bat of the season. Although instructed not to swing by Coach May, Matt
even fouled off a pitch before walking and getting an RBI. The fans and both
teams treated Matt to a rousing ovation. By Matt’s own admission, the Dodgers
were of great help in his road to recovery, giving him the motivation to get to
where he is today and overcoming his illness. In turn, what was in essence a
disappointing Dodgers season was given meaning in being able to watch and
help Matt fight and win such a battle. Today, Matt is back at St. John’s
hopefully being able to pitch in the 2006 season. On September 18th Matt’s
college team, in an effort to raise money for Crohn's and Colitis, attended a Mets
game at Shea Stadium in honour of Matt and his triumph over ulcerative colitis
where Matt and others who are afflicted were honoured on the field. He has
also been the focus of media attention having had articles written about him in
the NY Times Ledger, Oshawa This Week and was even mentioned in USA
Today. Just another indication of the respect Matt is held with in the baseball
community. Matt is continually working hard to prepare for next season. He
will be back with the Dodgers in whatever capacity he is available and the
Dodgers are fortunate to have such a quality player and person in their
organization.
