CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Charlotte Knights second baseman Eddy Alvarez has something most baseball players don't, an Olympic silver medal.

  • Eddy Alvarez won a silver medal in the 2014 winter Olympics 
  • Two years prior, he had to have surgery on his knees
  • He is now signed to the Charlotte Knights

He earned it as part of the 2014 U.S. speed skating relay team that took second in the 5,000 meter race in Sochi.

“As a team, we were actually upset because we lost. Then we realized we just got silver,” Alvarez said.

His Olympic dream almost didn’t happen. In 2012 he had to have surgery on both of his knees.

“Doctors were telling me that I most likely won’t be able to skate again, but it was a chance I had to take,” he said. “It was something spectacular.”

With his Olympic dream fulfilled, Alvarez returned to his first love of baseball. The White Sox took a chance and signed him to a minor league contract. Four years later, Alvarez is a level away from the major leagues.

“I like to accomplish my goals. That is something I take huge pride in,” Alvarez said.

Whether or not Alvarez ever makes a big league roster, he's already accomplished something most athletes can only dream of.

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