Mark DeDonato

Dad, Husband, and a big fan of my kids Jack and Elle

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

A great teammate is often times better than a great player. But most of the time the greatest players are also the best teammates. There is a direct correlation. The closest teams usually win, and have fun doing it.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@BuckyJacobsen LFG! Great to hear Bucky!

[Luke Falk @coachlukefalk]

Every training camp I had at Washington State University, Coach Leach would share the same story.
The story of two kids. The rich kid and the poor kid.

The rich kid has two choices. He can become spoiled, entitled, lazy, and expect everything to be handed to him because he has been given more. Or he can take every advantage of what he has been given—resources, coaching, opportunities—and use it to become even better.

The poor kid has two choices too. He can say, “I never had a chance. Nobody gave me anything. The world is against me.” He can feel sorry for himself and use it as an excuse. Or he can say, “I may not have what they have, but I am going to outwork everybody.” He can become tougher, more driven, and more relentless than everybody else.

It was a powerful message in a locker room full of people from different backgrounds, different families, and different life experiences. Some guys came from wealth. Some came from almost nothing. Some had every opportunity. Others had to fight for every inch.

But despite all of those differences, everybody still had the same choice.

You can take ownership and use what you have as fuel.

Or you can become victim-minded. You can look for excuses, blame your circumstances, become entitled, and convince yourself that because of what you have—or because of what you do not have—you cannot become what you want to be.

It is not about how you start. It is about what you choose to do with how you start.

The rich kid can waste what he has been given or use it to build something greater. The poor kid can use his circumstances as an excuse or as fuel.

In the end, greatness does not come from starting with more or less. It comes from which person inside of you that you choose to feed.

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[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@ClayTravis Lopez never dropped the ball. Classic.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

I'll go ahead and take this as a sign that we will win the World Series this year. Happy Opening Day to all and GO MARINERS!!

[Clay Travis @ClayTravis]

What an absolutely iconic photo.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@JoeDoyleMiLB I find it fascinating that Dax can generate that much velo with such a short pullback, effectively limiting the strain on his elbow. It looks borderline effortless.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@zuniflip @GB_Baseball @WBCBaseball @MLBNetwork Congrats to Will! We will be watching and rooting for him!

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@BuckyJacobsen It was a great listen this morning! Everyone could hear how genuinely happy and surprised you were. Good stuff.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@BuckyJacobsen Can't argue this take if you actually watch and know baseball. Bucky is right.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@Courterfield @LatvalaTahvo Personally, I like that you post videos like this with specific examples of how the pitcher is maturing and learning how to perfect his specific delivery. Much better than just showing some kid throwing 93mph balls.

[Brock Huard @BrockHuard]

The Mariners are still in SE Alaska when it comes to the respect of their stars

Cal did something never done in baseball, a switch hitting catcher obliterating a record that will never be broken

ECB is real

East Coast Bias needs to stop

Cal is our MVP

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@ClayTravis Agree 1 million percent. This has become so silly. And easily foreseen. Cash grab.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@CoachNellie25 Good to know that Shane Bieber, who is currently pitching in the World Series tonight and throwing 93, would barely make that coach's radar. Learning how to actually pitch and get outs is more important at any level in college than velo - regardless of Division.

[Max Browne @MaxBrowne4]

I’m not a parent, but I’ve seen plenty of times when “I’m doing what’s best for my kid” really means “I’ve lost perspective.”

Coaches want to win too. If you coddle your kid, he’ll pay for it later in life.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@Softykjr I just hate overthinking pitching decisions. If a guy is dealing - leave him in until he gets hit hard. Very simple. George was getting better as he went. Sad.

i

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

Let a pitcher that is DEALING stay in the game and pitch. It's a very simple concept. @BuckyJacobsen @PuckSports

[Aaron Goldsmith @heygoldy]

Springer hit a 1st inning leadoff home run — on the first pitch.

Blue Jays went 1-28 the rest of the game.

Bryce Miller with a performance made for October.

Absolutely incredible win.

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@Mitch_Seattle A whole heck of a lot. Like $60M a year a lot Mitch.

[Seattle Mariners @Mariners]

He’s heeeeere!

Cal and our friends at @AlaskaAir wanted to make sure Jameson was in the house for Game 5! #SeizeTheMoment

[Mark DeDonato @MarkDeDo7]

@BuckyJacobsen I love everything about Naylor. Dude just seems to have it all. Still can't believe he had the presence of mind to tag the runner on that play at 1B the other day before stepping on the bag that quickly. Smart man for sure.