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In 1998, the Blue Jays drafted File, a Father Judge High School graduate, in the 19th round. He’d recently graduated from the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science — an offensive power on the school’s baseball team — and was eager to hit the big time.
"Getting drafted was very, very exciting," File recalled. "I was shocked. I always knew it might have been possible, but the chances are limited. And I’ve always been more of a realistic person than a dreamer, so I never expected it to happen to me."
His professional career was a lifetime in the making, ever since he picked up a baseball when he was 3. File enjoyed a high profile when he attended Father Judge in the early ’90s and played baseball for the Crusaders, a shortstop who earned a first-team All-City selection in 1994.
"Judge was great," he said. "I remember playing for Joe McDermott and I remember always having a lot of fun. I made some good friends there that I still talk to."
After he graduated, File traded his Crusaders uniform for a Rams uniform upon moving on to the College of Textiles (now Philadelphia University) to earn his degree. File blossomed as a third baseman for the Rams, and at the plate he slammed his way to becoming the school’s all-time leader in runs (181), hits (296), triples (17) and home runs (37). Those numbers still stand.
In his senior year, that level of play earned him first-team All-American honors from the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings. File, who received Player of the Year honors that same season, was inducted into the Philadelphia University Hall of Fame in 2004.
During those days of high school and college ball, File crafted a solid reputation as an infielder, specifically at shortstop and third base. He was elated when the Blue Jays selected him. He was shocked to learn the team’s plan to convert him to a pitcher.
"I had never pitched in my life," said File. "It was a strange experience. I was very lucky to have such a good arm. And in the offseason I practiced pitching a lot and worked with some of the other guys to better my game."
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Still, it was a surprising transition for a hitter who’d always gained notice for his offensive output. And in the American League, with designated hitters taking the bat out of pitchers’ hands, File wouldn’t be spending much time on the bases.
In fact, in his pro career, File had just one at-bat. There were no heroics. He went down swinging.
"It was tough because I was a strong hitter in college," File said of his future without hitting. "At first, not being able to bat was really hard. But I did pretty well pitching, so I eventually just accepted it."
During his pioneer season in 2001, File had a 3.27 ERA and a 5-3 record as a reliever for the Jays. His 95-mile-per-hour fastball helped him strike out 38 batters in 74 innings.
File returned to Toronto’s Skydome for another season in 2002, but shoulder problems limited him to appearances in just five games that year. The following season File underwent major surgery for the injury and didn’t pitch at all.
"The most challenging aspect of my baseball career was the physical demands," he said. "But it does wear on you mentally and physically."
In 2004, File eagerly returned to the field. He made 24 game appearances on the mound that season, which also featured the one time in his career that he went to the plate as a batter, striking out.
The right-handed pitcher came to acknowledge the control exerted by others in professional sports. But he also appreciated the privileges.
"Playing professional baseball was definitely a great experience," said File. "I met a lot of wonderful people and got to travel the world. It was a dream come true.
"I got to see a lot of places — Toronto, Montreal, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and just about everywhere in the United States," he continued. "You name it, I’ve been there."
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Six years after File was drafted — a period that included three seasons on a major league roster — the Blue Jays granted him free agency. File signed with the St. Louis Cardinals the following season, 2005, but he never pitched with the team.
The day before the season’s start, File suffered an injury that ultimately ended his baseball career.
File was stretching his back during a round of exercises and heard a pop. A medical exam indicated that he had three herniated discs and a cracked spine.
"I was told there was a chance I would never walk again," said File. "At the time I wasn’t on the official roster for the Cardinals. And there was no union in the minors. So I had no health insurance."
File took a flight home to care for his injury. He tried several types of physical therapy and experienced some relief with Pilates.
But the damage was already done.
"I did a lot of physical therapy," he said. "But I’ll never be fully recovered."
Before that final blow, he’d gone under the knife three times in his short career.
"My body took a beating," said File. "I had to have two shoulder surgeries and one knee surgery. It was a constant wear and tear on my body."
File decided it was time to retire. He’d compiled a 6-4 record over those three seasons as a Blue Jays reliever. He hasn’t stepped onto a baseball field since.
"It wasn’t just baseball anymore. It’s a cutthroat business. After being in the game for so long, you learn how it works," said File, dismayed that he had to cope with that final and significant injury on his own. "It’s a shame, too, because it changed the way I looked at the game. I’ve always loved baseball, but I had a bitter taste in my mouth."
But Bob File can live with that. The ex-ballplayer, who is single, has found other activities to provide the pleasure once delivered by baseball.
"I picked up some new hobbies," he said. "I really enjoy off-road biking and golf. I work full time and relax when I can. Overall, I’m very happy with where my life is right now.
"I haven’t picked up a baseball or been back to a game since my back injury," he added. "And I don’t really miss it. I miss seeing my friends on a daily basis, and the camaraderie of the team, but that’s about it."
Through the ups and the downs, the happy times and the injuries, File can still look back on his days as a professional athlete with a genuine smile.
"All in all, after everything that happened — I’d do it all over again in a second if I could," said File. "The experience taught me a lot, and I met so many people along the way. I was really lucky to go out there and have the experience. It was a dream come true." ••
Sports editor Melissa Yerkov can be reached at 215-354-3035 or myerkov@phillynews.com