The beginning of the end

It makes a big difference to have someone on your side when you’re in a tight situation. It gives you a sense of comfort and relief knowing that someone’s got your back. I didn’t feel any pressure at all before I got there. I had a clear head, I was ready to call my game, and I just had an all-around “good feeling.” It wasn’t until I got onto the field and started getting the teams ready that I started to feel my “Big Game” jitters.

At the pre-game plate meeting, the “stuff” kind of grazed the fan. An assistant to the assistant head coach, Luis Alamia, one of my high-school vice-principals, came out of the dugout and interrupted the conference. He smiled at me and shook my hand just like he does when he sees me at school. He immediately turned to Carl and said that he wished to express a concern.

Carl said, “Sure, go right ahead.”

So, Alamia turns to me and says, “Son, I have no doubt in my mind….”

Continued...