The Comeback: 43-Year-Old Former MLB Pitcher Defies Odds Attempting Remarkable Return to the Mound

Rob Semerano, a former MLB pitcher with a remarkable career most kids dream of, is turning heads once again with his ambitious comeback attempt at the age of 43. From his early days in Little League, Semerano always envisioned himself playing in the Major Leagues, a dream that began to take shape when he graduated from Fordham University. There, he shined as both a shortstop and a pitcher before being signed by the Oakland A’s. His professional journey led him to play for the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, and various teams in the Independent Athletic League, where his fastball reached an impressive 99MPH. In 2009, while with the Astros during Spring Training, he was called up to the Major League roster for one more game.

Unfortunately, his career took an unexpected turn that same year. “I started feeling some discomfort in my elbow, spring of the 2009 season, and then by early August, I had blown out my elbow,” Semerano shared in an interview with Think American News. That injury led to Tommy John surgery, a procedure that involves reconstructing the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow, often sidelining players for an extended period. Despite the setback, his love for the game never wavered.

Reflecting on his journey, Semerano shared his mindset:

“The big things that happen to you in life usually come from a little tiny moment. You don’t realize it ’til you look back on it. You don’t know when that next little thing is going to happen. That’s where the positive attitude comes in—you’re open to those moments. Some people are closed off and miss the opportunity.”

Semerano understands that the road to success is rarely smooth. “You gotta really just enjoy the whole process,” he says. Even injuries haven’t deterred him. “I think I felt bad for about a half hour or an hour when I hurt my knee this winter.” At that time, two major league teams had expressed interest in him.

“I just looked at it and thought—this is just another chapter to the story, and you keep going.”

For more than two decades, Semerano and his father, Bob—a former MLB pitcher known for his 100MPH fastball—have co-owned a baseball development company in New Jersey, training players at all levels. Bob Semerano also enjoyed a successful career, playing four seasons of professional baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Newburgh Night Hawks. In 1979, he was even invited by George Steinbrenner to compete for a spot with the New York Yankees.

In 2018, at the age of 36, Rob Semerano was invited by the Yankees to pitch in two exhibition games against the Japanese National Team. In his final outing, he struck out four batters in two innings, finishing with a 95MPH fastball.

Now, with a pitching mound in his backyard and his fastball once again clocking over 95MPH, Semerano is aiming for a return to professional baseball. He hopes to secure an invitation to spring training in 2025, showing that perseverance and dedication can lead to extraordinary accomplishments, even in the face of adversity.

“I try to use my story to teach the kids that come through our training program,” Semerano says. “Look at what I’ve gone through and what I’m going through. One of the coolest things is that I haven’t fully achieved the dream yet—getting to the Major Leagues at 43—but I’m in the process of doing it. It’s one thing to say, ‘I did it,’ but when you’re actually going through it, you can show someone, ‘Hey, I just had a setback, but I’m still going.'”

For Semerano, learning to handle failure and challenges is essential. He emphasizes this lesson to his students—and his sons—every day. “Everyone with talent screws up at times, gets their tail handed to them at times—you’re not alone here.”

Rob’s comeback isn’t just about getting back to the game he loves; it’s about teaching his children and others that with hard work and determination, even the toughest challenges can be overcome.