After losing vision in one eye during his playing career, Juan Sandoval’s perseverance has carried him to the Major Leagues as a Milwaukee Brewers coach.
The path that led Juan Sandoval to the Milwaukee Brewers’ coaching staff is one defined by perseverance, adversity, and an unwavering belief in himself. Sandoval’s baseball journey nearly ended in an instant — but instead, it became a testament to resilience.
Now 45 years old, Sandoval is preparing for his first season as an assistant pitching coach in Milwaukee, two decades removed from a life-altering moment in his native Dominican Republic.
According to Brewers beat reporter Adam McCalvy of MLB.com, at the time, he was a rising prospect in the Seattle Mariners’ system, steadily climbing toward a long-awaited Major League opportunity. That trajectory changed abruptly in February 2006.
While at a restaurant with his then-fiancée, Sandoval was struck by stray pellets from a gunshot fired nearby. The injury severely damaged his right eye.
Though doctors were able to save the eye itself, his vision was permanently lost — a reality he didn’t fully grasp until months later.
“It felt like the ceiling was falling down on me,” Sandoval recalled.
In the aftermath, Sandoval searched for perspective and found inspiration in Jim Abbott, who famously pitched in the Major Leagues despite being born without a right hand.
That example shifted Sandoval’s mindset and sparked a determination to continue his career.
“Nobody was going to decide if I could keep going or not. I was going to decide,” he said.
Sandoval returned to the mound in 2007, adapting to life — and pitching — with one eye.
While depth perception posed challenges, particularly when fielding his position, he developed creative ways to compensate, from tracking ball bounces to refining his awareness of baserunners.
His perseverance extended his professional career far beyond what once seemed possible. Sandoval went on to pitch in 962 games across 17 seasons, reaching Triple-A and continuing internationally in Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Venezuela.
Though he never reached the Major Leagues as a player, his journey remained a source of pride.
“This game teaches you how to find the best version of you,” Sandoval said. “To not give up…to find different ways to be successful.”
That mindset ultimately led him to coaching. The Brewers brought Sandoval into their organization in 2022, and his growth within the system was rapid.
After roles in the Dominican Summer League and player development, he earned a promotion to the Major League staff, where he now works alongside pitching coach Chris Hook and the rest of manager Pat Murphy’s staff.
For Sandoval, the opportunity represents both a personal milestone and a chance to give back to the game that shaped his life.
“I need to give something back,” he said. “This is my way to touch people’s lives.”
After a journey filled with obstacles, Sandoval has finally reached the big leagues — this time, with a new purpose.
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