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Booser's journey from 'very dark days' battling addiction to getting huge postseason outs

Cam Booser’s dramatic postseason debut with the Tampa Bay Rays capped a remarkable personal and professional comeback. In a high-stakes Game 2 of the ALDS against the Yankees, the 34-year-old left-hander delivered a clutch fastball in the fifth inning with the bases loaded, forcing center fielder Jonny DeLuca into a game-saving catch to preserve the Rays’ 5-2 victory.

That single out became the highlight of Booser’s first postseason appearance, securing his first career postseason win—a moment he once thought was out of reach after years of struggle.

Booser’s journey from adversity to triumph is one of baseball’s most inspiring. After retiring from the game in 2017, he battled alcohol addiction and lived with his parents while working construction.

His path to the majors was littered with injuries—including a dislocated knee, a broken femur, Tommy John surgery, and a fractured vertebra—alongside personal setbacks like a 50-game suspension for a positive marijuana test. Despite these challenges, Booser’s resilience led him back to baseball, culminating in this unforgettable postseason performance.

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