ROD CAREW & OTHER HALL OF FAMERS GO AFTER MANFRED ON "RUINING THE GAME"

Baseball can change back. Ted Simmons made that statement in his Hall of Fame speech in 2021 and it was incredible. He said:

“Our game can change back,” Simmons said. “Eventually, another George Brett will surface. He’ll hit .360. He’ll homer 40 times. He’ll drive in 160 runs. He’ll strike out 75 times. He’ll walk a hundred times. His on-base percentage will be .420. Our game is fluid. Hitters will begin to beat the defensive shifts, and the pendulum will swing back. The game evolves. It’s just a matter of time.”

And the reason he said it is simple. For one, he's a catcher, one of the most important jobs on the field... and for 2, baseball has been ruined and the real game of baseball that we know and love has changed for the worse. And the old timers and true baseball enthusiats are tired of it. We're tired of this commissioner and his cronies and all they are doing to ruin games, line pockets and find TV time to make money. I mean sure, it's a business... but it's also the most incredible game in the world full of talent, wit, strategy and hustle.  

Ted Simmons is and has been one of the smartest guys on the field. He like many are tired with the game right now, with the strikeouts, walks and home runs being mostly the only thing that happens. Watch that speech if you haven't already. It's amazing.

But it's more than Ted Simmons... it's about many who have played this game the right way and are just fed up. Mark Powell from Fansided writes:

"It's custom for the commissioner of baseball to have a private dinner with all the Hall of Famers in Cooperstown the weekend of the ceremony. Typically, the conversation is predictably about baseball, and the state of the game today.

In recent years, that conversation has become more contentious, and reached a boiling point in late July. Carew and a group of other Hall of Famers raised their voices about what they perceived to be issues with the game today. Manfred was clearly taken aback, and has since openly complained about Carew making that conversation public. Typically, that dinner has a 'what happens in Cooperstown, stays in Cooperstown' feel. Not this year."

Ken Rosenthal writes:

"...the Hall of Famers include the rise of defensive shifts and the offensive emphasis on launch angle, as well as rules changes such as the three-batter minimum and automatic runner on second base in extra innings. "

But here's the problem. MLB has no time limit and that's also something that Carew was annoyed about like many fans are. But MLB wants to change that, but only because of the TV dollars attached to it. If games linger, TV stations mess up schedules and so Manfred and his nerds found a way to do it so if these games fit in a certain amount of time, they get paid, TV doesn't lose and everybody wins.  But sadly... that's not baseball.

And then Powell said this: "Sadly, for Carew and many of the old heads in baseball, the game is merely moving forward in hopes of intriguing a new generation of viewers. Those who don't change with it are left behind, for better or worse."

Bad comment about being left behind. These baseball legends are not the "get off my lawn" folks Powell thinks they are. They are true baseball people, like you, like me. We don't want the change because it ruins the game. So being left behind doesn't make sense. We're baseball enthusiasts... traditionalists... loyalists to the way the game should be played.  It's a bad statement from someone that was never in Rod Carew or Ted Simmons shoes.

The fact that this spat with Carew and Manfred went public is huge. The fact that Manfred thinks he was probably disrespected is laughable. Bottom line... baseball DOES need to change back like Ted Simmons says. It not only effects MLB, it trickles down to College where even in D3 college scouts are looking for Big Boppers, not guys that hit for average. When compare guys, 6'4", 220 and hitting dingers compared to a guy that's 5'10", 160 and batting .360... they are now inclined to choose the big boy, because that's what MLB commands right now. But the .360 hitter is ACTUALLY baseball. Have we forgotten?    

What happened to the authentic hitter? Where's the George Brett? Will they ever come back... because hitting is a true craft, and guys like that are unique. I grew up idolizing Tony Gwynn, Don Mattingly and Wade Boggs because every year I knew they'd bat .350 and I was always amazed by that. Those days are over. If you don't believe me... just watch teams continually give chances to Aaron Hicks and Joey Gallo.

Baseball needs to change back. Rod Carew is right. Ted Simmons is right.  And once again, Rob Manfred sucks.

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THE OTHER AARON

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

All this focus on Aaron Judge is incredibly exciting.  He's quickly becoming the most dangerous hitter in baseball today.  As YES says, "he's must see TV."  But there's another outfielder who's flown under the radar mostly because of Judge's success also named Aaron who is having one heck of a year. The other outfielder named Aaron Hicks is realizing the potential originally identified when we was drafted by Minnesota Twins in the first round in 2008.  The 27-year-old centerfielder is a must have in the lineup every night even when Jacoby Ellsbury is ready to return.

Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America

Former teammate Torii Hunter said he always gave Hicks some "tough love" and he's responding in a big way.  "Hicks was always a five-tool talent; he just needed to learn how to study pitchers, master the mental side of the game," said Hunter as reported by Fox Sports.

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

So you could say that Hicks has studied and is getting some A's, if you will, in his at bats, raising his batting average to .313 just before last night's game.  Besides his rising batting average, Hicks has a ".424 on-base percentage and .578 slugging percentage – good for third in the American League in OPS (Judge is first). He already has established his career-high with 14 doubles, and his 10 home runs are one short of his previous best," reported Fox Sports

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

Besides Hunter providing Hicks some much needed mentoring, Hall of Famer Rod Carew has kept in touch with the young outfielder and offered his advice and guidance.  “He’s real big on going to left-center,” Hicks said, chuckling. “I always would tell him that I wanted to hit the ball in the air. He would say, ‘Hit the ball to left-center, that’s how you get 3,000 hits," reported Fox Sports

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

The Other Aaron has become as critical to the Yankee team as the guy to his left, the guy he lost right field to in spring training. Hicks has made the most of the opportunity he has been given.  He can hit, he can hustle and he wins ball games, consistently. His contributions are valuable and when Ellsbury is ready to play again, Joe Girardi will have to make some tough decisions.  As far as I'm concerned, the Other Aaron has earned his place in the lineup all season.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

STOTTLEMYRE & THE FIGHT OF HIS LIFE

We've been pretty supportive of Rod Carew and all he's going through with his recent heart and kidney transplant around this holiday season here at BYB. We've reported just how terrible it is for him and his family to go through.  Read ROD CAREW'S FIGHT for more.

Well, I'd be a fool to not report on Mel Stottlemyre who is battling cancer and it's equally sad and terrible to read about.  There was alittle news that came out about Mel the last few days around the holiday and I just wanted to get you up to speed.

The New York Daily News has this story:

"Mel Stottlemyre has rallied again against illness, as he has so many times since being diagnosed with cancer in 1999. 'He’s doing much better,' Stottlemyre’s wife, Jean, said by phone on Saturday. 'We saw a big turnaround with Mel over the last 24 hours. He’s not in a life-threatening situation right now.'... Fears were raised publicly when Stottlemyre’s son, Todd, himself a former major-league pitcher, on Friday wrote on Facebook that his dad was “fighting for his life" in the hospital.


By Saturday afternoon, however, Jean wanted to assure fans and well-wishers that Stottlemyre was recovering quickly from the sickness. 'It’s not the cancer,' she said. 'It was that he got sick from the chemo medicine. He was given anti-biotics to fight infection and he’s responded well.'"

No question a son seeing his father going through such a tough situation is allowed and warranted. Todd was expressing himself... the frustration... the sadness.  It's just such a hard thing to watch...when a father, someone who has been so strong in a son's life suddenly take a turn.  But the Stottlemyres are fearless men, and no doubt we will be watching this story very closely for all of you!

I didn't want to ignore this story.  Mel's been part of the Yankee family forever.  We gotta report it and I just wanted to get you all up to speed.

Get well soon Mel, we love you!

 

ROD CAREW'S FIGHT

Quick note on this Christmas Eve morning and a message from us here at BYB to the great Rod Carew and his family... Get Well Soon, Mr. Carew.

As we wrote last week in our piece ROD CAREW TO HAVE TRANSPLANT, Rod Carew needed a transplant of a kidney and a heart.  It was a huge undertaking and something that an older person sometimes will not come out of. I am happy to report that Rod did, and he's doing well... the operation was a success.

MLB.com writes this:

"The entire Minnesota Twins family is happy to report that Rod Carew had a successful heart and kidney transplant surgery today at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and is expected to make a full recovery," the Twins said in a statement on Friday. "After a 13-hour procedure that started shortly after midnight Pacific time, Rod is resting in recovery. We ask that all of Twins Territory and the entire baseball community keep Rod, his wife Rhonda, and the entire Carew family in your thoughts and prayers as Rod recovers."

I hope the guy continues to do well and the Carew family can have a wonderful holiday!

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year!

 

ROD CAREW TO HAVE TRANSPLANT

(April 10, 2016 - Source: Hannah Foslien/Getty Images North America)

I grew up loving Rod Carew.  I've written about him from time to time here on Bleeding Yankee Blue.  He was a terrific hitter and a great player for alot of years and I always admired the guy.  Back in November 2015, I wrote: PRAYERS FOR ROD CAREW. In that piece, I explained that he was looking for a transplant.  Well, there is some new developments.  He is preparing for one now.

ESPN writes:

"Carew is preparing to receive a new heart and undergo a kidney transplant.

His wife, Rhonda, confirmed the procedures on Thursday through the American Heart Association News.

The 71-year-old former hitting star has struggled with heart issues since September 2015, when he had a heart attack and went into cardiac arrest while undergoing a procedure to open clogged arteries.

A machine has kept Carew alive since he nearly died 15 months ago. Doctors say the kidney transplant will improve his chances for a strong recovery."

This is the kind of stuff that you hate to hear about, in your own family... but in other people's families as well.  But for me personally, a childhood hero, it saddens me, especially around this time of year where family is so important.

The Carews are a strong family unit.  They will rally, because Mr. Carew will. 

You just gotta say a prayer...

PRAYERS FOR ROD CAREW

I love legend Rod Carew. I've loved him since I was a kid. I loved him approach. In fact, I love the way he played and respected the game.

I was touched to hear that newly acquired Aaron Hicks got a great piece of advice from Carew when he was with the Twins. He basically told Hicks not to give up switch hitting. That it was "a blessing".

Because of that, Hicks stuck with it.  Read JUST ANOTHER REASON TO LOVE ROD CAREW...for more on that.  I wrote that November 13th, never knowing what I just found out about the great Rod Carew, he's looking for a heart transplant.  Not gonna lie, reading that broke my heart.

According to several sources, but we'll go with the original source on this, Sports Illustrated:

"It was 11 days before his 70th birthday. Stepping off that tee box, Carew suddenly felt his chest burn and his hands go clammy. Retreating to the clubhouse, he lay on the floor and asked a woman there to call a paramedic. 'The next thing I saw was a man with paddles in his hands,' Carew says. 'He was yelling, ‘We’re losing him! We can’t lose him!’ Then I blacked out.'

When he woke in the emergency room at Riverside Community Hospital—to more paddles and more shouts of 'Don’t lose him!'—Carew closed his eyes again. 'I decided to go to sleep,' he says softly. 'And I didn’t know if I’d wake up.'

He had suffered a massive heart attack—'the kind they call the widow-maker,' says his wife, Rhonda. And though doctors told Carew he was extraordinarily lucky to be alive—his heart had stopped beating on two separate occasions—he doesn’t always feel fortune-kissed. 'My wife will tell you I get up in the morning and cry and wonder, Why me?' Carew says, convalescing in a friend’s house in the suburbs of San Diego after seven weeks in five hospitals. 'But you can’t say that. I go back to when my youngest daughter was dying. I never asked my friend upstairs, Why me? And He’s the only one who has the answers.'

Carew is sitting in an easy chair. Minx, a black Bombay cat, is perched above his right shoulder. Both exude a quiet grace—they look equally feline in repose—and there’s a brief silence in the house as Carew considers that a kind of mechanical heart has been implanted in his chest, alongside his damaged one. After a moment, the most elegant hitter of his generation puts his face in his hands and sobs.

'I was dead,' he says, 'and they brought me back to life.'”

Gotta feel for Rod Carew and his family right now.  Hey, we're a Yankee site, but we're more than that here at Bleeding Yankee Blue. We believe in kindness and family and support and all of that.  Rod Carew, one of my childhood heroes needs support right now.  Say a prayer today in your busy day. It takes a second.

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I STILL BELIEVE

There are few subjects in the Baseball World that I am more passionate about than the vote for The Hall of Fame.  I cannot get past the fact that a player’s fate remains in the hands of Sports writers.  I firmly believe a change NEEDS to happen and fast.  TAKE THE VOTE AWAY from the “writers” and do it NOW.

Recently I had a brief back and forth with ESPN’s Buster Olney on Twitter.  I answered a tweet and made clear that the Baseball writers make their vote personal and therefore shouldn’t have that vote.  Mr. Olney took exception.

@Buster_ESPN Nope. And Sports writers shouldn't have a vote. Have a select HOF committee. You guys make the vote personal too often. Period.

— Mike O'Hara (@mikeyoh21) November 15, 2015

@Buster_ESPN sorry that it doesn't compute, Buster. Sports writers deciding who is worthy and who is not is ridiculous. I enjoy your...

— Mike O'Hara (@mikeyoh21) November 15, 2015

@Buster_ESPN coverage of the game, but don't feel any of "you guys" should hold sway on a player's road to Cooperstown. Just my opinion.

— Mike O'Hara (@mikeyoh21) November 15, 2015

@Buster_ESPN and if you are convinced that there are baseball writers that don't vote with personal bias...well, agree to disagree. Thanks.

— Mike O'Hara (@mikeyoh21) November 15, 2015

He didn’t like being lumped in with all writers.  I was wrong to make a sweeping statement.  Maybe Buster is completely on the level.  Maybe he is truly an exception to what I STRONGLY feel is becoming the rule.  I can’t know for sure.  When he challenged me to pick one of the votes he cast for personal reasons, I couldn’t…but is that to say he never has had a bias in who he believes is Cooperstown worthy?

You don’t have to look hard to see the “US vs. THEM” feeling in the player/writer dynamic.  More and more writers seek their own sad, celebrity status.  They seem to have desperate need to rival the players in terms of notoriety.  They aren’t writers any longer they are “Insiders” or “Experts”.  And as ALL KNOWING MASTERS OF THE BASEBALL UNIVERSE they get to decide who is celebrated and who is not.  With all do respect to those who still cover and love the game, it’s time to knock these guys down a few pegs.  Take away the Hall vote.

I feel that the best way to protect the Hall of Fame and the induction process is to select a committee comprised of former managers, Hall of Fame players and even distinguished umpires.  (Example: Joe Torre, Mike Schmidt, Rod Carew and Jim Joyce).  Only players, managers and umps KNOW the game and all it’s aspects. We need those who truly see the numbers, the clutch performances as well as the intangibles.

Take a player like Jim Thome.  In my opinion he is a class act and a 1st ballot Hall of Famer.  He hit 600 dingers (clean), played the game the right way and respected his teammates and opponents alike.  THAT is who should be in Cooperstown.  However, Baseball writers will find every reason under the sun to hold Jim back a few times.  Is it for the right reasons?  NO WAY IN HELL if you ask me.

Think about Greg Maddux.  There are actually writers out there that will not vote for him.  GREG MADDUX!! Jeter and Mariano also will fall short of 100%.  Why?  Because the writers will say Mo only closed out 1 or 2 innings.  That isn’t as hard as it was for the guys who closed 3 to 4 innings…which is nonsense in the grand scheme. 

And Jeter…well, there are actually grown men that won’t vote for him because he was a lousy sound bite or simply because they still live in a “High School World”.  Derek is the popular jock that dates the prom queen…of course they’ll find some number that they say proves he wasn’t that good.  It’s total Bovine waste.

Once again, I fully admit that tossing Buster in the bind with every writer was a mistake.  I was wrong and often am (See my Plate of Crow with a side of Humble Pie on Tex’s season).  But to think that writers don’t bring all sorts of personal baggage to their vote is silly.  Some look down on the players as idiotic thugs below their educated minds.  Others see a big ol’ Texas fireballer, who hunts and prays and see them through socio-political glasses.  And still others are self-righteous, and believe they drive on the “High Road”.  If there is a hint of a player being near the Juiced up days of the late 1990’s they are out of the running.  It doesn’t matter if there is solid proof…like in Mike Piazza’s case.

I’m not the Commissioner.  I have no way of fixing the problems I see.  All I can do is write down my opinion…and it is just that, an opinion.  I root for players.  Their stories and the work they put in to play the game at the highest possible level.  The sacrifices they, and their families, made to get where they are.  Baseball is a living thing.  By that I mean it cannot be taken on numbers alone.  Yes, a player MUST put up great stats to be a candidate for the Hall, but there is more to it than that.  Players understand that…writers don’t.  For them the Hall of Fame Vote is pretentious Country Club.  For a growing number of Baseball writers the vote is not about the game or the men who play it, it’s about them.  It’s about grabbing a headline or a bit of spotlight.  They abuse the PRIVILEGE and it’s time to take it away and do it differently…in my opinion.


** My buddy Frank Turner.  I STILL BELIEVE **




 

--Mike O'Hara Senior "Features" Writer
Twitter: @mikeyoh21















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JUST ANOTHER REASON TO LOVE ROD CAREW...

I've always been a big Rod Carew guy.  I loved his stance, I loved the way he got on base and when he played, you just saw it in his face... he knew he could, and so... he did, and he became one of the greatest in my opinion. Growing up, I had all his cards... and I still do.

I have a terrific nugget for you all this morning and it comes from the Daily News... but it starts with Rod Carew and it has to do with newly acquired Aaron Hicks:

"..two other people may have helped the newest Yankee shake off a slow start to his career and refocus on the game: Rod Carew and Ron Gardenhire.

Carew, a Hall of Famer, stepped in when Hicks decided to give up switch-hitting in 2014, a season that saw him struggle against right-handers, putting up with a .178 average and .512 OPS.

“I wanted to try to something new, and I wanted to help my team win,” Hicks said on a conference call Thursday, one day after the Yankees traded for the outfielder. “I felt like I wasn't in a position (to do that) and it was one of the low times of my career. Rod Carew actually called me and told me, what the heck am I doing giving up switch hitting? It’s a blessing, and that I should go back and work harder at it and learn from my mistakes. And he was right. I learned from my mistakes and I’m happy that I was able to change that.”

I have a good feeling about Hicks.  I hope Carew rubs off on the guy real good.

I leave you with a quote from Carew. It's one of my favorites:

"When you've learned to believe in yourself... there's no telling how good a player you can be."  -Rod Carew

So True. Preach Rod, Preach.



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DONNIE & THE BIRD

Note to our BYB audience... this is not a post about Mark Teixeira... period.

Sure, he may end up being the next Shane Spencer.  Years from now we may look back and say, “Wow, remember when we thought Greg Bird was going to be good?”  I’ve already taken heat from other fans for making the rookie 1st baseman a future Yankee great.  I get it.  We’ve been burned on promising youngsters before and some are just hell bent supporters of Te…”He who shall not be named”.

Here is my thinking.  I see some similarities in Bird and another notable Bronx Bomber.  They both aren’t much for talk.  They both have sweet left handed swings.  They were both homegrown.  Yes, for me Greg Bird has a little "Donnie Baseball" in him.  My hope is that Bird’s inner Mattingly will blossom into another great player.  It can happen.

Look, it’s a small sample size, I understand that, but that dinger in Toronto just screamed, “I’m here to stay, Yankee fans!”  Bird’s swing has a twinge of Olerud and Carew to it.  It’s graceful and seemingly effortless.

He plays first with a solid and ever improving glove.  Greg Bird just looks the part of a New York Yankee.  We should get him some eye black and a sharp looking mustache.

Recently BYB posted an article asking where Greg fits in next year.  I tweeted back, “STARTER!”  Look, he can play and taking ABs away will do nothing for his progress.  The Yankees are getting younger and fast.  Why stop that trend?  Those older, more expensive players need to see the writing on the wall.  If the Bombers are going to compete with the young stars of the game (Trout, Harper etc.…) they need to bring up the kids and let them run.  Trying to squeeze another decent season out of an injury prone, aging player who’s best is behind him is foolish.  I’m not just talking about one player, I’m talking about the overall mindset of handling those players Father Time has touched on the shoulder.

Greg Bird has the tools and demeanor to be a player like Mattingly in my opinion…does that mean it will happen?  No.  But letting him play as opposed to giving him a “Fast Pass” on the Scranton Shuttle will show us what we have in the Baby Bomber.  Some guys just fit.  Looks like Bird will be the word for a while in the Bronx.

** A bit on the nose…or beak as it were.  G’luck Greg. **

 

--Mike O'Hara Senior "Features" Writer
Twitter: @mikeyoh21






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GRIND IT! IN BASEBALL, IN LIFE!

I have always been a fan of hard work and dedication.  It's never easy and for such a long time I searched for heroes in my life, be it my dad or athletes like Robin Yount, Rickey Henderson, Rod Carew, Ron Guidry or Jorge Posada. Watching these guys play the game... watching their approach, their passion... it made me realize that if you wanted something bad enough, there was nothing you couldn't do.  Baseball translates to life in so many ways and we've talked about that here at BYB plenty. Well... we're about to talk about it again...

I have immediately gravitated toward new heroes... heroes for my own son who is now playing in a more competitive league and finding obstacles all around him.  Guys like Ty Hensley. Guys like Tommy La Stella.  Guys like Mason Williams or a guy like Dean Anna, a 6-year minor leaguer, and a guy who wants to make it big with the Yanks.  He wants to go pro and be on the biggest stage... playing in the Big Apple. 

Look, breaking in with the Yankees is tricky. The Yankees sometimes remind me of David and Goliath and what I mean by that is, you have a team that for as long as I can remember, has always had the big names in baseball.  They were Free Agent giants that made their names in New York.  From Reggie Jackson to Tino Martinez, the list goes on and on. Be it big trades or big signing, the Yanks collected established talent. Then, when youngsters in Yankeeland work their way through the farm system and finally are ready to make it to the Bigs, sure, the Yanks will "give them a look", but because these giants are already in pinstripes, mucking up their finances, well, it ain't easy for those kids to break through.  That's why we see our youth being traded away.  It's hard for the Yankees to keep them around, especially when Yankee brass salivates over what other options are out there.

Look at 2009 when we signed CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher?  We didn't make the playoffs with what we had in 2008 and we didn't give the farm a chance to blossom.  So we went big.

We did it again this winter, and sure, while the Yanks will sprinkle some youth around Masahiro Tanaka and Brian McCann, there are plenty of talented youngsters in the minor leagues ready to burst with energy!

Look, I'm not faulting the Yankee way. All I'm doing is stating the mere fact that sometimes it doesn't matter how much true talent you have in a place like New York. Sometimes teams are just set in their ways. The Yankees... they're set in their ways.

But I root for the believer anyway.  I root for the ones that work their tails off and still see themselves at the top of the mountain wearing pinstripes, even though the odds might be against them. That type of dedication gets me all fuzzy inside.  Jorge Posada was never a guy many believed in, at least that's what I thought.  But you know who believed in him? He did.  His teammates did. And the Core Four did as well because they're all now famous because of their work ethic...together.  Thank God for that.  Thank God for guys like Bernie Williams, who refused to take criticism of his talent personally.  All he did was work harder and became an outstanding center fielder.

Posada told us in his interview with BYB: "I would always say 'Grind it!'", and that hat brim picture that you see at the top of this post? That's my son's hat.  We wrote "Grind it" in there to keep him inspired and keep him motivated.  

Look. It's hard being a parent. We sometimes forget just how much pressure there is as a kid, even though, there shouldn't be pressure at all.  It's hard to explain to an 11-year-old that you have to work hard, because, for as long as that son or daughter has been alive, we, the parents, were always helping them.  Now, suddenly it's them alone on the baseball diamond. We're on the sidelines. The words "work hard" seem too easy. The work... well, that's harder, and they have to do it for themselves.  Again... baseball and life are parallel.  Overtime, my son becomes frustrated, and it becomes a struggle of me explaining that life's not easy and either is baseball.  Sometimes... you just need to "Grind it." It's getting there that is exhausting.

Rickey Henderson was my guy growing up. I remember as a kid, I found an Ad in Beckett Monthy for a baseball card shop in San Diego. I remember it because it was the biggest Ad on the page. I remember writing them a letter at about 12 years old and I asked them for a catalog. I remember the first thing I ordered was a Rickey Henderson 8 x 10.  It went on my wall. Rickey was with the Oakland A's at the time and I didn't care. He was my idol.  He was the guy I wanted to be.  I practiced sprints in my yard.  I wet the grass next to a base I made, a brick, and practiced sliding for hours by myself.  Why? Because I wanted to be the fastest kid in Little League.  I wanted to be Rickey Henderson.  And you know what? I was... for a while and that gave me confidence.  

After a while, I was hitting, pitching and even played shortstop as a left hander.  Why? Because I had confidence and because I wanted to also be like another hero of mine... Robin Yount. Sure, he may have been a righty, but it didn't matter to me... I had to learn it.  Well, I remember the day the I got my first double play and for a while there, I figured out how to play shortstop backwards. I achieved something big... but it wasn't easy. Again... Confidence.

What's my point to this? "Grind it", that's my point.  It's baseball season.  There are alot kids that don't think they're up to snuff and want to quit right about now, your kid could be one of them.  All I'm saying is, take the time to look them in the eye and explain how the world works. Explain goals... explain falling down and getting back up... and explain confidence. If you do, they will run through a brick wall.  It's starts with confidence. Once they have that, a strikeout once in a while won't matter anymore.  Giving up a home run on an 0-2 pitch will slid off their back.  If they have confidence... if they "Grind it", they will be successful... in baseball... in life.

I leave you with this, from 2 people I adore.  My wife and I became friends with this couple through baseball and our families are tighter than ever since we met last summer. Our boys played together.  I take this quote below to heart, because I love coaching kids, teaching kids and allowing them to understand confidence.  I believe that if you allow a child to work hard for you and you show them respect, there is nothing they won't do on the diamond for you. In short, it's about getting them understand how important "trying" and working hard is.  It's a quote from our pal Joe Girardi:

Grind it! Sure, maybe you lose the game, but trust me... you won.