“There’s something romantic about the game of baseball,,” Kevin Costner said this as Billy Chapel, a future hall of famer in "For the Love of the Game." I think he is right. Baseball was my first true love and will always be a love of mine.
I played from the time I was barely standing and my mom was tossing me plastic balls until college. My favorite player was Mark McGwire, and I remember watching the games the season he broke Roger Maris’ record for most home runs. That was 1996, and I was two. I picked my favorite team at the age of two while living in California, and I have never faulted. The St. Louis Cardinals are my team; you'd think living in a state with four teams, I'd pick one of them.
Baseball was always there for me. If I was having a tough time with school, my friends, a girl or anything that was on my mind, I always could go hit on the tee. I loved the sport. I had several college offers, but I decided I wanted to pick future over baseball. So, I decided to come to Southwestern Oklahoma State University to pursue a business degree. I ended up walking on the baseball team as a pitcher. I was always an outfielder when I played. Pitching was something I did because I had to, not because I wanted to. I loved college baseball. I loved everything about it, other than the fact that I was just pitching.
After my first year, I worked hard to come back better and I did, only to realize I had to quit. My baseball career was coming to an end. I had to get a job. I was going to be broke. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do. I cried when I was done talking to my coach. I still tear up thinking about it, but I decided to focus on something else. I put my mind toward graduating early. I am three semesters away from graduating with a business management degree and minor in sports management. I plan on getting my MBA.
Goodbyes are always hard, but the future is bright.
