Curtis Pride will never forget Sept. 17, 1993.

It’s the day he recorded his first big league hit and introduced himself to the baseball world.

“My first Major League hit -- a two-run double against the Phillies -- was in the middle of the pennant race,” said Pride. “I was standing at second base. There were 45,000 people cheering, and I didn’t know they were cheering for me.”

Pride, who was born deaf, did not realize the entire stadium was roaring for him until his third-base coach signaled for him to tip his cap to the fans.

“And that’s what I did,” Pride said. “It was very emotional. I tried to keep a straight face to let people know that I’m serious, I’m not a one-hit wonder or a charity case. I’m here to stay in the Major Leagues for a long time.”

Pride’s story of perseverance is

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