PORTAGE, Mich. — The city of Portage has no shortage of athletes who have thrived in their respective sports. Some of those big names include NASCAR racer Carson Hocevar, Oakland A's infielder Max Schuemann and Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Tommy Henry.
After graduating from Portage Northern, Henry pitched for Michigan and helped the Wolverines to the College World Series. Henry is currently in the Diamondbacks organization and last season helped Arizona on its run to the World Series.
The lefty is currently in Triple-A with the Reno Aces and the team had a home game when the tornado struck his hometown. Henry said he woke up on Wednesday morning to text messages with pictures and videos from the destruction.
Henry said it is hard being so far away but said it's the character of the community that will help it get through this disaster.
"I think the beauty of Portage and why I loved it so much growing up there is the sense of community," Henry said. "There's no more important time or bigger place to lean on that than in dire times like this. To me I think that's what makes the people and the city great and speaks to what Portage is."
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.
Watch 13 ON YOUR SIDE for free on Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV and on your phone.