The Dream Doesn’t End

The dream for every baseball player is to sign a professional contract and continue chasing the game they love. For Cuba Bess, Kristofer Bow, and Cole Cressend, signing was just the beginning of their journey. All three were drafted or signed into MLB affiliates with dreams of one day playing in the show.

But life in the minors comes with roster moves, setbacks, and the constant grind. Eventually, the three found themselves in a different chapter of professional baseball: independent ball, where the dream of reaching the majors still survives.

Though their affiliated careers eventually came to an end, their professional journeys did not. Instead, they continue pursuing baseball while embracing a new perspective on the game.

BESS

After utility player Bess’s Grand Canyon University career, he was signed as a free agent in 2020 with the Boston Red Sox.

“I remember it was hard,” said Bess. “It was definitely a change and a bit of a culture shock.”

Playing in the NCAA comes with pre-established camaraderie, whereas playing professional ball, building relationships takes time.

“You have to adjust to the everyday life of being a professional ball player,” said Bess. “You're putting in a ton of work, and some days you're not going to get rewarded as much as you'd like.”

Despite being released twice, the love of the game is what keeps him playing. At the end of 2022 Spring Training with the Red Sox, Bess was released.

“It's devastating to hear,” said Bess. “It's never fun, especially when you believe that you belong.”

But the end of his minor league career wasn't over, as the Colorado Rockies picked him up in 2023. After spending a full season with the Rockies, Bess received difficult news once again, a week after the season ended.

“It's definitely a hard adjustment, but you have to keep grinding through it,” said Bess. “Never get too down on yourself, and just always look for what's next.”

Being released twice and putting everything you have into the game takes a lot of mental resilience, so in the 2024 season, Bess decided to take the season off.

“I have a greater appreciation for the game,” said Bess. “I feel like my identity as a man grew more away from the game by realizing that we are a lot more than our job, and we're definitely a lot more than this game.”

BOW

Born in Iceland and raised in Northwest Nevada, Bow pitched three collegiate seasons at the College of Southern Nevada before beginning his professional career. After his third season, he faced a decision: transfer to Arizona and play, or sign with the famous pinstripes, the New York Yankees.

“It was a surreal experience,” said Bow. “Especially just being part of such a big organization.”

For Bow, joining the Yankees organization meant learning from experienced coaches and surrounding himself with people who pushed him to grow both on and off the field. During his time spent with the Yankees, he pushed himself to the next level and even pitched his personal record, a 99 mph fastball. It was his first taste of professional baseball and everything that comes with it.

“Consistency is key,” said Bow. “You have to show up every day, no matter how you feel, and have to build confidence and prepare.”

Injuries played a factor in Bow’s professional career, as he suffered from a shoulder injury, and in April 2025 was released.

“I knew the worst thing possible had happened, but now it's behind me,” said Bow. 

Bow is a strong believer that everything happens for a reason and doesn’t easily give up.

“You just got to keep trying and keep waking up every day and going for it,” said Bow.

CRESSEND 

Hailing from Mandeville, Louisiana, Cressend bled Dodger Blue. During his collegiate career, Cressend played at Louisiana-Monroe. After his junior season in 2023, the right-handed hurler got the opportunity many kids only dream about: signing with the organization he grew up watching, none other than the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Getting to walk out to the mound and throw on that field was pretty surreal,” said Cressend. “It's definitely something I'll never forget.”

Professional baseball also brought moments against players he once admired growing up. But once the game begins, Cressend said the focus shifts entirely to competing. The appreciation for the moment comes afterward, when the inning is over, and reality finally sinks in.

“You have to treat them as a faceless opponent when it comes to competition,” said Cressend.

In 2025, the Dodgers organization made their final Spring Training cuts, and just like that, Cressend turned in his uniform 

“You have to understand that's the nature of this business,” said Cressend. “Whether we like it or not.”

THE ROOT

For Bess, Bow, and Cressend, understanding the demands of professional athletics began long before their own careers. Each grew up with a parent who experienced professional sports firsthand, giving them an early lesson in what the grind truly requires.

Switch-hitting first baseman Johnny Bess was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in 1992 and played in the organization’s minor league system through 1997.

“Part of playing is for me to go out there and have fun,” Bess said. “The other part is for family.”

“Baseball was something I could call mine,” Bow said. Growing up, he watched his father’s professional basketball career overseas through film and highlights. His father, Jonathan Bow, played professionally in Iceland and won three Icelandic championships.

“I used to watch him, and he was super inspiring,” Bow said.

Bow still remembers saying, “Dad, Dad, can you play your highlights?” He remembers the discs playing on the TV and the admiration he felt while watching his father compete professionally.

Cressend also had a father who lived out his baseball aspirations. Jack Cressend made his MLB debut in 2000 with the Minnesota Twins and went on to pitch with other major league teams. He later spent several years coaching at Tulane University before transitioning into scouting.

“He’s definitely inspired me and helped me achieve my goals,” Cressend said. “He motivated me in ways that other people definitely couldn’t.”

Those early examples of perseverance and sacrifice laid the foundation for all three players, shaping how they approached the challenges of their professional careers.

MORE THAN THE GAME

Baseball is a game of wins and losses, but the mental resilience required to play it is not for the weak.

“You're faithful to this game, but sometimes it can really drive you insane,” said Bow.

Most players develop a love-hate relationship with baseball, a game capable of humbling even the best.

“At whatever point in time, someone is gonna have to tear the jersey off my back for me to be done,” said Cressend.

Sacrifice comes with the pursuit of reaching the next level, but it is passion and love for the game that ultimately keep the momentum going.

“The moment we start taking it too seriously, or as a job, that's when it starts to not become fun,” said Bess.

STILL CHASING THE SHOW

Independent ball has become the next chapter in these player’s careers by offering another opportunity to keep the dream alive.

“I know I still have some left in the tank,” Bess said. “Once I got an opportunity to play again, I had nothing to lose. I got to go out there, grind, and just control what I can.”

For Bess, Cressend, and Bow, the pursuit of baseball is no longer only about making it to the major leagues. It is about continuing to compete, embracing the journey. 

“The belief in myself that I can pitch at the major league level, and the satisfaction at the end of my career to say that I did everything I could to try to make it happen,” Cressend said.

As the Pioneer League season begins on May 19, all three players continue chasing the game that has shaped so much of their lives, proving that for some athletes, the dream does not end when the path changes.

“I believe that I can make it to the highest level,” Bow said. “That’s why I’m still doing it.”

WRITTEN BY NINA CORRAL