STATESBORO – They had a 30-hour car ride from Arizona back to Statesboro. Plenty of time to mull things over, plot their next move or as they thought of it, choose their next dream to follow.
Crawford and Meredith Simmons, high school sweethearts, who had just been married in October, made their annual pilgrimage to Surprise, Arizona, and the Kansa City Royals spring training facility in February filled with optimism for what the upcoming season would bring.
A star pitcher at Statesboro High School, Crawford had been drafted in the 14th round by the Royals in 2009, and the 2015 season was to be his sixth with the organization.