Beyond the Game: Milwaukee Brewers infielder Taylor Green

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Milwaukee Brewers infielder Taylor Green has struggled in Spring Training. Making matters worse, he's been dealing with a hip injury. However, Green doesn't have to look far for a source of inspiration.

It was odd seeing Brewers Green, John Axford and Jim Henderson wear their "Team Canada" jerseys during an exhibition game against the Crew earlier this month in Arizona. But like Ryan Braun and Jonathan Lucroy, they proudly wore their country's colors in the World Baseball Classic.

Green is proud and thankful that his mother was able to share the experience.

In 1996, then 40-year-old Jackie Green had dental work that went horribly wrong. She would need surgery to repair a damaged heart valve -- and the family's trials were just beginning.

A nurse asked Green's father Bill if he wanted to sign a "do not resuscitate" order. He said "don't ever pull the plug on this gal -- you don't know how much of a fighter she is!" So father and son held a vigil, and miraculously, mother came out of a coma.

Taylor Green was just nine when Jackie suffered her stroke, but like his mom, he pulled through with love and support.

Jackie can't teach school full-time anymore, but she volunteers at an elementary school in British Columbia.

When her son made his Major League debut on August 31st, 2011 as a pinch hitter and singled off Jack Westbrook, Jackie was in the stands at Miller Park.

When Taylor Green married his girlfriend Sophie in a quiet ceremony during the off-season, his main source of inspiration was in attendance.

Taylor Green has struggled in Spring Training, and his spot on the team could be in jeopardy, but he'll never quit. That word isn't in his mom's vocabulary.