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Trey Lang, an outfielder/designated hitter for Northern Illinois University and the Hannibal Cavemen, said it best Tuesday night.
“It’s not everyday that you can walk into the dugout and be congratulated by Ryan Klesko,” the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder said.
And no, that doesn’t happen everyday for most ball players at his level.
Some of the players that play in the Prospect League and just at the college level in general get to meet and spend a little bit of time with big-named former major leaguers, but Lang and the rest of the 2011 Cavemen are lucky guys.
Klesko and former major league pitcher Woody Williams are now in on the ownership of Hannibal’s baseball team and Tuesday afternoon, the major league hopefuls gathered around the former stars of America’s game to get some advice from guys that have traveled down the same path.
I guess you can call it a media perk because, I too, was in the Cavemen clubhouse when Williams and Klesko were talking to the players and it was an amazing experience.
First and foremost what really got to me was how the players all sat outside their lockers and listened to Woody Williams talk about how important it is to stay healthy and play your own game not only in baseball, but in life.
Not one single player blinked or shifted in their chair. They all sat frozen and engaged to Williams’ words of advice and stories of experience.
The former St. Louis Cardinal grabbed a lot of attention with his baritone voice and kind demeanor.
He kept it simple and told the players that people make bad decisions and can get into bad situations, but if you lead a good life and stay off of drugs, he said, you’ll be just fine.
And that was really something to hear.
Sure, it meant a lot to the players because they have a lot to look forward to with college ball and the possibility of being drafted, but it meant a lot for me to hear that, too.
You don’t have to do what Jesus did or do certain things just because your parents raised you a certain way. All you can be is you.
Not only is this true in life, but it’s true in baseball.
You don’t have to do what certain players did just to have a great career. You don’t have to throw or bat a certain way, do it your own way. Some of the best baseball players are the ones who standout with their individuality. Look at Dennis Eckersley and Yogi Berra. One was a sidearm thrower and the other got on base from swinging at bad pitches, and they’re both in the hall of fame.
Williams’ chat with the players really stuck. It reminds me of my grandfather. He speaks with a tone that grabs your attention immediately and that’s what Williams did with the players before Tuesday’s game against Nashville.
Be good and the world will reward you. And it doesn’t matter if it’s the world of baseball or globe as a whole.
I’m sure the players were inspired by the words of one of the best Cardinal pitchers of the new century, I just hope they don’t mind if I steal a little bit of it for myself.
Trey Lang, an outfielder/designated hitter for Northern Illinois University and the Hannibal Cavemen, said it best Tuesday night.
“It’s not everyday that you can walk into the dugout and be congratulated by Ryan Klesko,” the 6-foot-3, 235-pounder said.
And no, that doesn’t happen everyday for most ball players at his level.
Some of the players that play in the Prospect League and just at the college level in general get to meet and spend a little bit of time with big-named former major leaguers, but Lang and the rest of the 2011 Cavemen are lucky guys.
Klesko and former major league pitcher Woody Williams are now in on the ownership of Hannibal’s baseball team and Tuesday afternoon, the major league hopefuls gathered around the former stars of America’s game to get some advice from guys that have traveled down the same path.
I guess you can call it a media perk because, I too, was in the Cavemen clubhouse when Williams and Klesko were talking to the players and it was an amazing experience.
First and foremost what really got to me was how the players all sat outside their lockers and listened to Woody Williams talk about how important it is to stay healthy and play your own game not only in baseball, but in life.
Not one single player blinked or shifted in their chair. They all sat frozen and engaged to Williams’ words of advice and stories of experience.
The former St. Louis Cardinal grabbed a lot of attention with his baritone voice and kind demeanor.
He kept it simple and told the players that people make bad decisions and can get into bad situations, but if you lead a good life and stay off of drugs, he said, you’ll be just fine.
And that was really something to hear.
Sure, it meant a lot to the players because they have a lot to look forward to with college ball and the possibility of being drafted, but it meant a lot for me to hear that, too.
You don’t have to do what Jesus did or do certain things just because your parents raised you a certain way. All you can be is you.
Not only is this true in life, but it’s true in baseball.
You don’t have to do what certain players did just to have a great career. You don’t have to throw or bat a certain way, do it your own way. Some of the best baseball players are the ones who standout with their individuality. Look at Dennis Eckersley and Yogi Berra. One was a sidearm thrower and the other got on base from swinging at bad pitches, and they’re both in the hall of fame.
Williams’ chat with the players really stuck. It reminds me of my grandfather. He speaks with a tone that grabs your attention immediately and that’s what Williams did with the players before Tuesday’s game against Nashville.
Be good and the world will reward you. And it doesn’t matter if it’s the world of baseball or globe as a whole.
I’m sure the players were inspired by the words of one of the best Cardinal pitchers of the new century, I just hope they don’t mind if I steal a little bit of it for myself.
