(an end of the year banquet speech)
First of all, I would like to thank all of you who have worked so hard to put on this event. I believe that it is one of the best things we do at "X" - we honor the hard work of our program with a worthy celebration. Parents and family: my sincerest appreciation goes out to you for the support you continue to give to your sons, their teammates and their coaches. Players: thank you as well, for your work, for your love of this great game, and for your patience. We are a young program, overall, and success doesn't always show on the scoreboard. I thank you for pushing on at every step - for respecting what your coaches and your teammates are trying to teach and instill.
What I would like to do this year, is leave you with a bit to think about. You've really had the opportunity to play baseball since you were what? 5? 6? That's about the same amount of time you've spent in school. Remember that it's your education that is primary. But take advantage of ALL the opportunities that are out there to learn, to improve. Because when you're out of school, when you're married, when you have kids, I guarantee you that you're going to wake up, wash up, comb your hair, brush your teeth ... and you're going to look yourself in the mirror. Now, when I do that, I know that there are really two people I cannot fool: I can't fool myself and I can't fool God.
When you look in that mirror and you ask yourself: "How far could I have gone in life, if I had taken advantage of every opportunity, given everything I had for myself and those around me?" will you be able to answer honesty that you did - give everything? Because if you didn't, you're going to regret it. If you can look in that mirror and honestly tell yourself that you did the best that you could, every day; took advantage of every opportunity; helped your brothers, your sisters, your neighbors; then you'll be a happy person - and most likely a successful one as well.
What you do here at "X" - beyond getting an education - is, you play for your school, your community, your family, and your teammates. If you're playing for anything else, if you're playing for yourself, you become an individual. That may win you accolades, trophies, awards, but it won't win you championships. You need that individual drive, that work ethic, that responsibility for self, yes. But you also need a love for your teammates and a great attitude.
You represent something here. Look around. You represent THIS - your family, your friends, your teammates, your community, your school. What you do reflects on THIS ... on THEM. So, when you put that uniform on, do it with pride, dignity, with character. That's your responsibility - whether you have one game, one week, one month, one year - or your entire career left in front of you.
When you leave this community, this program, you leave something here - a legacy that those behind you will see. What do you want that legacy to look like? You have the opportunity to do everything you can to make it a great one - so that the people who came after you will know what it is to be part of THIS program.
So, whether you've got one game or entire career in front of you, whether you are graduating or just starting, remember that you can keep learning, helping improving in life as in this game. Your name, your legacy, is what you make of it - no one can take away your character, your attitude, your love - if you don't let them.
