“It was like I was in a movie” - When Max Stassi traded baseball for his miracle baby born on a flight

Veteran catcher Max Stassi has enjoyed a successful and lucrative career in the MLB. Even though the former fourth-round draft pick may not have developed into an All-Star, the catcher has been able to live his dream for ten seasons and counting.

The 32-year-old from Woodland, California, was traded by the Los Angeles Angels to the Chicago White Sox this offseason. The Halos sent both Max Stassi and David Fletcher to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league players Evan White and Tyler Thomas. The Braves sent him to the Chicago White Sox the following day.

While the offseason has been busy and confusing for Stassi and his family, baseball has taken a backseat this past year for the catcher. In a recent article from The Athletic, MLB insider Sam Blum shared the story of the moment baseball was no longer the top priority for Max and his wife Gaby.

"Max Stassi's son, Jackson, weighed 1 pound, 8 ounces when he was born last spring. Max sat out the season as he and his wife, Gaby, cared for Jackson at the hospital and then at home. They told their story to @SamBlum3, and it's incredibly dusty in here." - @stephenjnesbitt

Last season as Stassi was preparing for Spring Training with the Los Angeles Angels, the veteran catcher received a call saying that Gaby's water had broken. Although this is a normal part of the pregnancy process, she was not yet 22 weeks along at the time.

Stassi took a flight directly to Chicago, hurrying to be by his wife's side. He said:

“It was like I was in a movie.”

After only 25 weeks and four days of pregnancy, Max Stassi and his wife Gaby welcomed their son Jackson to the world. He was only one pound, eight ounces.

Max Stassi put his MLB career on hold to help take care of his family

Even though the catcher was in the middle of his pre-season preparation, Stassi knew that his prematurely-born son and his wife needed him with them. As a result, the veteran catcher sat out the entirety of the 2023 season to help his family.

"The #WhiteSox have acquired veteran catcher Max Stassi and cash considerations from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for a player to be named later or cash." - @whitesox

Now, after taking the entire 2023 season off, Stassi will be looking to resume his playing career this upcoming campaign. The 32-year-old will hope to pick up where he left off in 2022, only this time as a member of the Chicago White Sox.