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Diamondbacks Draft Paralyzed Former Arizona State Player

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Cory Hahn (seated) at a game with his Arizona State teammates. Hahn was paralyzed in his third game for ASU in 2011. (Courtesy of Arizona State University)
Cory Hahn (seated) with his Arizona State teammates. Hahn was paralyzed in his third game for ASU in 2011. (Courtesy of Arizona State University)

With their pick in the 34th round of last week's MLB Draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks chose Cory Hahn, who'd last played on Feb. 20, 2011. On that day, in his third game for Arizona State, Hahn slid headfirst into second base, collided with the knee of the player covering the bag, and broke his neck. He has been paralyzed from the chest down since then.

“It obviously means a whole lot to me and my family just because my whole life I’ve been gearing toward being a professional baseball player,” Hahn said of being drafted. “It’s something my family and I will be forever thankful for.”

These days, with the daily assistance of his father, Cory Hahn is accumulating credits toward his degree — and gaining his independence. Hahn recently relearned to drive. After Hahn's accident, his father quit his job to care for his son and help him adjust.

“To be honest, I wouldn’t be where I am today without my dad,” Hahn said. “If you ever ask him, he always would say, ‘You know, every dad would do this for their kid.’ But he’s actually doing it.”

Derrick Hall, the president of the Diamondbacks, has talked about employing Hahn after his graduation.

“I’m majoring in business,” Hahn said. “I think either way, my knowledge of the game of baseball or the stuff I’m studying in school can really pay off and be able to help the Diamondbacks organization.”

This segment aired on June 15, 2013.

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