I love how genuinely surprised and honored he looked. He played his ass off for this team and carried this offense to the playoffs in 2024. Braves legend.
Roger Federer dropped some real wisdom in his Dartmouth commencement speech:
He won nearly 80% of his 1,526 professional matches, but only 54% of the points he played.
Even one of the greatest tennis players of all time lost almost half his points.
His lesson: Don’t dwell on every mistake. A double fault, a lost point, even a bad day, it’s just one point. The champions move on quickly with the same focus and fire for the next one.
This is one of the best mindset lessons I’ve heard in a long time. It applies way beyond tennis.
Life is full of losses and setbacks. The difference between average and exceptional is how quickly you reset and keep playing.
Great teams don’t make excuses. They make adjustments.
No…
“Yeah, but the refs…” “Yeah, but they’re more talented…” “Yeah, but we were tired…”
Accountability starts when the excuses stop.
I signed to UCLA my junior year of high school and was told I was going to start Day 1.
Opening Day at UCLA?
I was sitting the bench. 😭
I had 2 choices:
1. Complain, pout, and blame the coaches
OR
2. Find the holes on the team and become valuable.
So for 3 weeks, I sat the bench.
I showed up early.
Stayed late.
Cheered for my teammates.
Dragged the field every 3rd inning.
Meanwhile, I studied the team.
The middle infielders were doing well.
Third base wasn’t.
So I told the coaches:
“I can play third.”
Then I noticed something else:
Offensively, we were either hitting home runs or getting out.
I saw the gap.
If I could become a tough out, get on base, and bring energy to the team…
I could create value.
Then we played Miami.
The starting third baseman was hitting .115.
They gave me a shot.
I went 2 for 3 with a walk.
Played solid defense.
Brought energy.
I never sat the bench again.
Eventually, I became team captain…
and we were ranked #1 in the country.
One thing baseball taught me:
Opportunities don’t always go to the most talented player.
Sometimes they go to the player who becomes the most valuable.
WANT TO PLAY COLLEGE BASEBALL?
YOU BETTER.......
-FALL IN LOVE WITH THE WEIGHT ROOM
-FALL IN LOVE WITH THE DAILY GRIND
-EAT RIGHT
-WORK WHEN NOBODY IS LOOKING
-LONG TOSS
-WORK WHILE YOU WAIT
-OPEN TO CHANGE (your way isn't always right)
COLLEGE BASEBALL ISN'T FOR EVERYONE
Need to get this one off my chest… transfers, don’t say “due to unforeseen circumstances” you will be transferring. If you had a 3 WHIP, the circumstances were very foreseen…
If you just put the ball in play, you will score more runs and win more games.
It ain’t rocket science!
K’s are going to happen, it’s inevitable, some pitchers have nasty stuff… But, when a TEAM shrinks it’s K percentage, they instantly are better.
Take pride in putting the ball in play!
#BaseballTruth
College baseball players play 50–70 games in the spring season. Then go play summer ball for another 30 - 50 more.
If a HS player “needs a break from playing” in the summer what do you think happens when they get to college?
Being coachable means you're willing to consider feedback even if you don't like what you hear. It means resisting the urge to make excuses or get defensive when challenged. Getting better is more important than your ego. You'd rather get it right than be right.
When MJ did not make his Varsity basketball team, his Mother did NOT:
1) complain to the school
2) call the coach
3) demand a meeting with the AD
Deloria Jordan simply told MJ “work harder.”
~ via @JMMontgomeryCo