#32 The Meaning

The Meaning

“There are three types of baseball players: those who make it happen, those who watch it happen, and those who wonder what happens.” Tommy Lasorda.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. November 2, 2016 was the greatest day in history. Most of you have no clue what I’m talking about, so let me start from the beginning. The day started out normal for most people, but to me, Trick Jacobs, it was moment of truth day. I’m the starting shortstop for the Illinois Bullets and today was the state championship. As soon as I woke up that day I called my coach to see how his day was. Coach Henry has been my coach the past three years and this is his first time going to a championship. He was an old fart but he sure was a fantastic coach. He taught us not just how to win but the meaning of baseball. This was his last year coaching also, it was my last year playing for the Bullets. After High School I would be traveling to University of Illinois to play baseball.

Later that day, as we were sitting in the dugout and Coach Henry was giving us our pre warm up speech like he does every game. I was sitting in the corner visualizing the trophy we were bringing home for Coach Henry. I wasn’t worried about anything else. I didn’t care about how my performance turned out to be even though the University of Illinois scout was in the crowd but that really didn’t matter. In my eyes what really mattered was the big fat grin that we were gonna put on our coaches face. As the time rolled on coach finally walks up to me and says, “I want you to go out there and give it your all, you have some important people out there.” That didn’t make me feel better what's so ever. This game wasn’t about me, it was about Coach Henry.

As soon as I blink it’s bottom of the ninth, two outs, and I step up to the plate. The score is tied and I have been hitting the seams off this ball. As soon as I get up they do a pitching change. They start throwing their lefty Denzel Valentine. I’ve been struggling to hit him the past four years but I’ve been studying him. His release point, the way his fingers are gripped on the ball, and how fast he brings up his leg. I know they won’t walk me because the bases are loaded. My hands are sweating and my mouth is dry as the Sahara Desert. I step up to the plate. I spit my seeds out and kick some dirt on the plate. I see his fingers start to move in his glove. Everyone is staring down at me from the stands. The first pitch comes.

Now you're all thinking you can’t stop there, well actually I can because I’m the author of this story. The moral of this story wasn’t about winning or losing. It was about about not being selfish and being a team leader. It was about doing what’s right. A wise man once said, “The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.” Now all I can say for Denzel Valentine is first rule in baseball never hang a curveball to a power hitter.