Stone Simmons’ Unbreakable Spirit: A Journey Through Injury, Faith and Baseball

It’s hard for Stone Simmons to perfectly describe how difficult the last two years have been for him.

Shortly after Mississippi State’s National Championship in 2021, the Bulldogs were searching for someone that could replace the dominance of Landon Sims in the back of the bullpen. Sims had taken over a starting role for State in 2022 and Simmons had emerged as the favorite to close games down.

In his first three contests, the talented right hander had faced 13 batters and put them all down. He had six strikeouts total in those outings and was quickly becoming one of the few players that the Bulldogs could count on early that year.

In the same weekend, Sims and Simmons both would go down with elbow injuries and State’s season went with them. Simmons missed all of 2023 after a grueling rehab and returned last year only to tear his UCL yet again.

It tested Simmons in ways he’s never been tested before. Even then, he hasn’t lost his perspective – or his smile.

“My love for baseball kept me going. I love the sport. I love Mississippi State, specifically,” Simmons said. “Playing baseball here is a dream. It’s a constant reminder too when I’m walking around the city and someone recognize me. It’s a reminder that these people love baseball, and I want to go out there and help the team win.

“My faith in Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior is how I’ve gotten through it. But, in terms of why, it’s my love for the game.”

Simmons’ journey inspires

If nothing else at all comes from Simmons’ journey, he’s got one heck of a story to tell.

A native of Houston, Texas, Simmons landed at Furman University and became a weekend starter right away in 2020. The season came to a close after he pitched in four games and COVID-19 would shut down the sports world. Not only that, but the ramifications from the pandemic also ended the Furman program altogether.

All players were allowed to transfer without penalty and Simmons landed in Starkville with State. He pitched in 19 games as a first-year Bulldog in 2021 and threw 24.1 innings, gave up eight walks and struck out 29 batters as he earned a couple of saves and helped the Diamond Dawgs win the school’s first national title.

The injuries have kept him from pitching the last two years, but Simmons returned for his first action on the mound last summer when he pitched for the Danville Dans in the Prospect League. Simmons went out for his first game on June 20 and threw 2.0 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Simmons text his mother after the game, “I somehow forgot how much I loved baseball.”

Simmons started in four games during the summer and was 1-0 with 24 strikeouts and just three walks in 14.0 innings. He didn’t allow a single run.

Since that time, Chris Lemonis and pitching coach Justin Parker have been upping his work load a bit but haven’t tried to put too much on him as they want him healthy for the season.

“Our first priority has been health. Now that I’m healthy, I’ve seen myself pitch at my best this fall, and I’ve been able to hold that so far this spring,” Simmons said. “I’ve had a pretty big velo jump this year so that’s pretty exciting. (Parker) has just really sharpened my stuff. I’ve become a better pitcher. Every aspect of the game I’ve gotten better under coach Parker.”

One last ride could be special for Simmons, teammates

Not only is Simmons excited to get away from being a first base coach or a dugout warrior so he can help the team win, he’s excited to see what the team is made of this season. The Texas native felt like this year’s squad has the most impressive group of new faces he’s seen in his five years in Starkville.

Last year was a step in the right direction with the Diamond Dawgs making postseason for the first time since the national title and the team was on the brink of hosting baseball again at Dudy Noble again. This year, the expectation is Omaha and winning another national title. Simmons would love nothing more than to be out there doing what he has to do to get them there.

“We’ve kind of gotten beaten down the last three years,” Simmons said. “Two years of rough, losing seasons and then last year just tasting it and letting it get away, it lights a fire under you. I’m pumped to get back out there.”