When someone builds a structure like a house, they have to make sure that the foundation is solid. They install footings, create wood forms, and pour concrete to make sure it will have a good base to build on. This foundation brings stability to the house that will one day become a home for a…
I have been an athlete and coach for almost forty years. During this time, I have thrived by pushing beyond the limits I thought were possible and also stunted my growth with being overly critical of myself. I became my own worst enemy because when I tasted success, I just assumed it would continue. When…
Funny how things change as you grow up. I love everything about spaghetti. The way it tastes, how it twirls around your fork, and even the process you go through to prepare it as a meal. I didn’t always feel this way. In one of my previous articles, Reverse the Curse, you learned about a…
I grew up the youngest of eight kids in the great state of Michigan. My Dad worked in the parts department for Chevrolet and my Mom stayed home. Taking care of that many children is a full-time job in itself! We lived in a 4-bedroom house so we were a “close knit” family. Instead of…
Over the past 25 years a lot of things have happened in my life. Some great (becoming a husband and father) and some not so great (attending the funerals of my dad and two brothers). I have owned a business, dabbled in real estate, been worth millions (on paper) and completely penniless when the housing…
I have been coaching for over 25 years. My first taste was in 1993 when I was a summer baseball camp counselor for Doyle Baseball. Back then I was still a college player who was focused on his own playing career. However, by being a camp counselor I was able to be around scouts who…
I am entering my eighth year as a minor league coach for the San Francisco Giants. In my first three seasons our Major League team won two World Series and the organization rewarded all the staff members with championship rings. In my seven seasons coaching in the Arizona Rookie League we have won nearly 60…
This past weekend I had the opportunity to hang out with 70 men up in Cave Creek, AZ for a retreat. The organization is called UPI (Unlimited Potential Incorporated) and most of the guys are current or former professional baseball players. We encourage each other and talk about our struggles as husbands, fathers and leaders.…
Two weeks ago, my sons and I climbed Camelback Mountain with two other families. We love to go hiking and it is even better when we have some friends come along with us. It’s a great time to hang out and eventually like most things in our family, it turns into a competition. Camelback is…
The fly ball. It can be a pitcher’s best friend in a spacious ballpark or their worst nightmare if they have guys playing behind them who don’t have a clue. One of the biggest mistakes I see as a coach is when a player takes a bad angle to a fly ball. It happens much…