Johnny Agresta

[Clint Hurdle @ClintHurdle13]

I kept this story in my pocket for a long time....

In Pittsburgh, September 15th is Roberto Clemente Day.

Every year the whole organization fans out across the city. It's like Christmas. Roberto's family is there, Vera and the boys.

My first year as manager was 2011. We celebrated. We shook hands and moved on.
We didn't win.

19 consecutive losing seasons.

2012 rolls around. Same day, same celebration. We had another losing season, our 20th consecutive.

After the ceremony, Roberto Jr. walked over.

"My mom wants to talk to you."

We went into the dugout. Me, Vera, and her three sons.

She spoke in Spanish. I played four years of winter ball so I understood enough. She wasn't angry, but she was passionate. And I kept hearing Roberto's number come up.

Roberto Jr. translated.

"My mother wants you to know that there cannot be a 21st losing season. That was Roberto's number. It would be a disgrace to his legacy."

She was staring right at me.

Before I could even think about what to say, words came out of my mouth:
"I promise you, Vera. That won't happen."

Roberto Jr. looked at me and said, "You made my mom a promise. I hope you can keep it."

I said, "I hope I can keep it too."

I didn't tell my coaches. I didn't tell the players. I told my wife. That was it.

The next year, 2013, we broke the consecutive seasons losing streak. Ended it at 20.

On Roberto Clemente Day that September, Vera came walking across that field.

And I probably got one of the most meaningful hugs I've ever received in my life.

The players did all the heavy lifting. I just got the hug.

Some promises are worth making before you know if you can keep them.

@Pirates

[Philosophy Of Life @PhilOfLife_]

The calmer you are, the clearer you think.

[Leaders 𝕏 Junction @LeadersJunction]

Read that again‼️

[Wallo267 @Wallo267]

Consistency creates credibility.

[Will Compton @_willcompton]

“Opportunity doesn’t wait until you’re ready. It tests if you’re prepared.”

Let’s have a week 🐺

[John Ziegler @Zigmanfreud]

Something will happen tonight in the Ohio HS football playoffs that will never happen again in the sport…

Steubenville plays Licking Valley…

Their head coaches have a combined 826 wins in 87 years at their schools!

Here’s Reno Saccoccia (about whom I wrote a book back in 1993), who has won 447 games in 43 years, speaking to his Big Red team before a state title game in an era before we castrated the sport and it’s coaches (BTW, the “Zach” he screams at here went on to be one of the best QBs in CFL history).

[TᕼE ᗷIG ᖇEᗪ ᑎETᗯOᖇK @TheBigRedNet]

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 𝐅𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓

# 1️⃣1️⃣▫️ꜱᴛᴇᴜʙᴇɴᴠɪʟʟᴇ ʜɪɢʜ ꜱᴄʜᴏᴏʟ 𝟖𝟕𝟒 ᴡɪɴꜱ

🔗: https://t.co/Gs7NSMzNd1

[Mindset Machine  @mindsetmachine]

Listen to this carefully ‼️‼️

[Ari Meirov @MySportsUpdate]

This is pretty awesome.

(via @TravisDHolmes)

[Walsh University @WalshUniversity]

Prayer warriors, please pray for the full recovery of former Walsh University student and football player Kavan Markwood, who fell from the stands at the Pittsburgh Pirates game last night. Lord, please surround him with your healing presence to restore his body and spirit.

[Bron’s Best @LBJsBest]

The best LeBron highlights from the Cavs 3-1 comeback in the 2016 Finals 🔥

[Kobe Bryant Stories & Motivation @kobehighlight]

Mamba Mentality forever 🐍

[Gary Vaynerchuk @garyvee]

There is nothing more enjoyable for me then to “see it” in people … I am so proud of my man @PatMcAfeeShow and his crew and daily, weekly, monthly income across many of you and see versions of this in you … and if you’re someone who sees that special thing in someone … let them know … we need more flowers 🌺 given !!! While people are alive and most of all when they are on the “come up”

[Matt Zenitz @mzenitz]

Miami (Ohio) is set to name Zane Ries as safeties coach, a source tells @CBSSports/@247Sports.

Former Miami (Ohio) and Ohio Wesleyan QB who had been a graduate assistant for Miami (Ohio).

https://t.co/qOetA1iLiU

[Ben McDonald @realbenmcdonald]

Be good at ur TNT’s-Takes No Talent!!Been sharing this for many years….still one of my favorites…not for just my athletes but applies to all of us in whatever we do! #CarryOn #TNTs #LoveThis

[Coach Beans @CoachBeansTTU]

So glad my childhood was the steroid era of baseball.

[Bob “The Moj” Marjanovich @The_Real_Moj]

Ok last one tonight... @Wpg_BlueBombers QB Zach Collaros has now been to 5 straight Grey Cups. Can his college roomie, Travis Kelce get to that status? He's currently at 3!

@GoBEARCATS @CFL @tkelce

[Russell Wilson @DangeRussWilson]

Together. @steelers