I was on the back porch earlier yackin on the telephone with WB and Tracey comes out with this young man and says, "do you know who this is, I didn't recognize him". I knew exactly who it was and told WB I gotta go, my old 2nd baseman just showed up.
I coached this kid on every Little League team I had and on a couple Select teams after that. Had not spoke with or seen him in over 11 years.
He's 24 yrs young and in his first year as a 10th grade Geometry, Algebra teacher @ our high school. He said he just wanted to stop by and see how "I" was doing. This kid never spoke a word on the ball field, it took a pry bar to get any words out of him, but he NEVER EVER gave less than 100% be it practice or game time. He sat here and talked for over an hour straightHe talked more tonight than he did in all the years I coached him put together.
Tracey said go show him yer boat, so we walked out to the shop. When we got out there he said, "Coach Tee, I have been wanting to come by here and tell you how much I credit you for me getting to where I am in life""There are a couple things that come to mind that I'll never forget and I'll always appreciate".
He went on to remind me of some things I said way back then that stuck in his head forever and he said those words always made him give his best in everything he ever did, not just baseball. I won't type all that out but dang it Man.... I was floored, didn't quite know what to say at that point, damn near teared up. But I told him that his hard work, motivation and attitude were what got him where he was. He also said he was awarded the "New Teacher of the Year" recently.
You know I'm feeling really good right now, and not for myself. I'm feeling good for that "little boy" because of what he has become and if the good Lord took me right now I know I have in my own way made an impression on a young boy and he's made himself a good MAN.
Reply With Quote
