Graves not ready to bury his career just yet

Two superlatives stand out in following the baseball career of relief pitcher Danny Graves.

One of them sets him apart for all time.

Graves, now 34 and wearing uniform No. 39 for the Fort Myers Miracle, became the first player born in Vietnam to reach the big leagues. The former University of Miami Hurricane and Orlando resident did so at age 22 with the Cleveland Indians in 1996.

In 1997, Graves began the first of nine seasons pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, where he set his second superlative: becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in saves.

Two events relating to his Vietnamese heritage later shaped the life and career of Graves, whose father was an American serviceman and mother was a Vietnam native.

Graves talked to The News-Press about both events.

Graves, who was released by the Colorado Rockies before the 2007 season began — he compiled 33 saves for the independent Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks last year — signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins in late March. Click here to continue reading...