Well, all I can say is.....John Jr must be a VERY GOOD STUDENT. It is hard as heck for non athletes to get in to the University of Florida. Tell him "Good Job!"
BTW, my older son decided the same thing as John Jr. He is now in law school at UF. I do think he missed baseball at first but he played a lot of intramural sports and had a lot of fun.
Some of his old teammates went the JUCO route just to keep playing. I think only one of them played for more than 2 years and will get a degree. My son knows his decision was the best for him.
His best friend, however, did play at UF and is now in the minors...but he has a ton of talent.
In a single day we took two games from Dillard and Northeast, winning 20-0 in game one and 6-0 in game two. It was surreal playing at STA during school hours. The game began at 10 AM to avoid rain. A couple of teachers canned the curriculum and brought their students to the game. Believe it or not, some of the students had never been to an STA baseball game. Junior thirdbaseman Steve Cardullo gave them something to cheer about as he smacked a couple of homers. Later that day, Corey Weech and an air tight defense stifled Northeast in an efficient 6-0 win. Northeast will have to take on Nova on Tuesday. We will play Cooper City who has been playing real well of late. The game will be at Fort Lauderdale Stadium at 4 PM on Tuesday.
To Ace, your son's story is encouraging. John just missed acceptance to UF. He had a 3.8 GPA and 1140 SAT (they're looking for 3.9 and 1300). He will be enrolling at Santa Fe where they have and made-to-order transfer program to UF. He's determined to earn a degree in business from UF and possibly earn a second degree in sports administration. St. Thomas in North Miami looks like the best bet for that.
On another front, Brad Eldred, who was mentioned prominantly in a number of previous posts, is absolutely on fire. He had homered in six consecutive games before being moved up to triple A. When he was a sophomore in high school I said "he will hit 40 homers at the big league level if he gets 500 at-bats." I was wrong. He will hit over 50, every year. He's as real as they come. In spite of being 6 foot 5 and 240 lbs. of lean basball muscle, running a sub 7 sixty, and earning all state honors as a senior, he wasn't drafted out of highschool. He's as real as it gets. Nothing but pure, unadulterated (and I stress unadulterated) power.
Also Sean Gallagher has pitched 6 hitless innings in consecutive starts, earning him the # 3 spot on BA's hot list.http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4006002781/m/779109009/p/5
To Ace, your son's story is encouraging. John just missed acceptance to UF. He had a 3.8 GPA and 1140 SAT (they're looking for 3.9 and 1300). He will be enrolling at Santa Fe where they have and made-to-order transfer program to UF. He's determined to earn a degree in business from UF and possibly earn a second degree in sports administration. St. Thomas in North Miami looks like the best bet for that.
On another front, Brad Eldred, who was mentioned prominantly in a number of previous posts, is absolutely on fire. He had homered in six consecutive games before being moved up to triple A. When he was a sophomore in high school I said "he will hit 40 homers at the big league level if he gets 500 at-bats." I was wrong. He will hit over 50, every year. He's as real as they come. In spite of being 6 foot 5 and 240 lbs. of lean basball muscle, running a sub 7 sixty, and earning all state honors as a senior, he wasn't drafted out of highschool. He's as real as it gets. Nothing but pure, unadulterated (and I stress unadulterated) power.
Also Sean Gallagher has pitched 6 hitless innings in consecutive starts, earning him the # 3 spot on BA's hot list.http://hsbaseballweb.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/4006002781/m/779109009/p/5
Michael McCalla calls John at least once a week to talk baseball. He and John have been friends since third grade and the two had parted when John decided on STA and Mike wanted to go to Cardinal Gibbons. After his freshman year, Mike transferred to Douglas and is now a senior on one of the best 6A teams in the state. It is his first real opportunity to compete for a state title. Mike's father, Lewe (pronounced Lou), sings the national anthem before games at the Eagles' field. I still see Lewe almost every Sunday as he sings in the church choir at St. Andrew Catholic Church where our family attends Mass. We always take a few minutes to talk baseball. I was never shy about my desire to have Mike at STA. I courted J.J. Frey (Coral Springs) and David Adams (Grandview Prep) for the same reasons. All three possessed the kind of character that meshes so well with the STA program. It wasn't about winning; we're doing that without them. It was about sharing something special.
I will be routing for Mike and his Eagles. Especially Nick Chiracosta and David Christianson; two great kids who have done well. Go Eagles!
I will be routing for Mike and his Eagles. Especially Nick Chiracosta and David Christianson; two great kids who have done well. Go Eagles!
STA wasn't looking past Cooper City. Apparently all they were looking at was the baseball. 11 runs on 13 hits, 8 for extra bases. John Jr. picked up 2 long doubles into the left center gap. Dennis Raben smoked everything he swung at picking up two triples and 3 RBI. Steven Cardullo hit his 4th homer in the last 3 games, knocking a ball out of Fort Lauderdale Stadium. He had 4 RBI on the day. Barron Collier Friday. No bold predictions; just playing it one pitch at a time.
Sports Illustrated honored STA by ranking the scool as the third best all sports program in the nation. I'm not a big SI fan, but once and awhile they get it right.
You never look past a team. You focus on what's in front of you. You study the scouting report and you formulate strategies and you talk only about the opponent who is up next. You don't talk about what it will be like in Sarasota or think about playing Nova next Tuesday night. It's back burner stuff. You read the stuff in the paper: how Douglas pulled out a 5-4 win with a DiNatale walk-off two run jack in the bottom of the 7th. How Nova escaped with a 2-1 win over Northeast. How Port St. Lucie was upset. You wonder what's going on with those teams. But you don't read too much into it. You just keep thinking about Barron Collier on Friday. We will play at Fort Lauderdale Stadium. It is cavernous for a high school team. The place accentuates strengths and exposes weaknesses. A major league field, it is well manicured, magnifying our defense. Our fielders are fast into the gap and cover ground in the outfield. Our hitters can drive balls to the walls. We had 4 triples against Cooper City, the longest a 390 foot blast to straight away center by Mike Marseco. Dennis Raben fit well into the huge park, picking up 2 triples. We can't wait to get back there. Barron Collier will be ready. We're more than ready. Bring it on.
Today is John's last day of classes. From now to the end of the season he's a baseball player. The school is aglow in the aftermath of the Sports Illustrated ranking for sports programs that placed us # 1 in Florida and # 3 nationally. There is talk that the rankings will draw top athletes not only from the US but from around the world. Yes, the rich get richer. But as it has been said "If you build it, they will come." See today's Miami Herald which has an article on the SI rankings.
The tryouts were for an all star t-ball team that would play in a county tournament. John was cut. He never shed a tear. But I could see the anger in his 6 year old face as we walked through the outfield on the way to our car. I said "just remember something Johnny, no matter how much talent anyone has, you can always out work them." With that he turned towards the field and pointed towards the players who had probably been picked before they ever showed up. He said, "I'm better than him, him, him, and him."
Only one of the kids on the field that day over 12 years ago was good enough to play high school baseball.
John walked off a baseball field for the last time yesterday. When I met him outside the stadium he said two words when he hugged me: "Thank you."
Only one of the kids on the field that day over 12 years ago was good enough to play high school baseball.
John walked off a baseball field for the last time yesterday. When I met him outside the stadium he said two words when he hugged me: "Thank you."
bigjd39,
I know you and the rest of the St. Thomas gang are thrilled about the SI rankings, but I must say that I think this is just another indication that high school sports are headed in the wrong direction.
This "recruiting" thing in high school is destroying one of the last known existing pieces of Americana. I feel like dusting off my old LP and playing "Bye, bye, Miss American Pie".
I know you and the rest of the St. Thomas gang are thrilled about the SI rankings, but I must say that I think this is just another indication that high school sports are headed in the wrong direction.
This "recruiting" thing in high school is destroying one of the last known existing pieces of Americana. I feel like dusting off my old LP and playing "Bye, bye, Miss American Pie".
In my short time at STA I have not seen or heard of a single athlete ever being recruited in any sport. I have heard of numerous instances where stellar athletes have walked into a coaches office looking for a free ride. Of course I won't mention any names. The procedure is the same for everyone desiring an education at STA. There are even some stories of athletes who have left STA because the school wouldn't pay their way. You pay full tuition. If you have financial hardship, you may be eligible for assistance and you can apply for it. In any case, you better make the grades or take a walk no matter who you are. In any case, I am not one who will stop an athlete from playing anywhere he wants if it can better his chances at getting into a quality school. Especially athletes who live in districts with poor academic schools, sub par facilities, and lousy coaches. Many of these athletes can't afford to pick up and move to Weston (a high end community in Broward)and play at a school like Cypress Bay. Forcing (and I emphasize forcing by the creation of a rule) an athlete into a situation like that is simply not right. And taking away a year of eligibility because someone wants to get out of a bad situation--please, what are these people thinking. All you doing is giving a bad coach a hammer that he can bring down on a player anytime he wants. Don't go down that road with me. I've seen to many horrific coaches who don't deserve to be anywhere near teenagers to think any other way. Americana isn't going anywhere, it's just going where the grass is greener.
After the boy's baseball team and the girl's softball team were beaten on the same day (Friday the 13th) there is some lighthearted talk about the Sports Illustrated jinx. Funny stuff, but it makes you wonder. Anyway, graduation festivities have certainly taken an edge off Friday's loss. The Baccalaureate Mass for graduates and their parents was held yesterday in the STA Gym. It was an unforgettable experience that featured a song and dance by Monsignor Kelly upon a make shift altar in the middle of the gym. The song, dedicated to our seniors, has become an annual tradition, and one wonders if the next Monsignor will have to do a song and dance to get the postion. The Mass concluded with the seniors, in caps and gowns, singing Rod Stewart's "Forever Young" dedicated to their parents. Grown men cry when the emotion runs that deep. The baseball season is dead and buried and the weeklong grad celebration has begun. The schedule of parties is non-stop through this weekend and into next weekend with everyone cherishing these last precious moments with the class of 2005.
Will Dennis Raben be named Broward's big school player of the year? Raben hit .500 against the toughest schedule of any team in Broward County. He was also 9-0 on the mound. The other potential choices are Will Block of Nova, who tore the cover off the ball all year long, and the two Davids from Douglas, Christianson and D'Natale.
I don’t know if John will get the bug to play again. I’ve told him to talk to some players who stopped playing by their own choice and find out how they feel about it after being away for a year. I’ve spoken to some of them who are thinking about getting back into it, but say that it would be more difficult after taking time off. The main concern is baseball conditioning. If you don’t throw, hit, and keep your body in shape, the game will move further beyond your natural progression.
My posts to this diary will end tomorrow with John’s graduation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have been so much a part of John’s success both academically and on the baseball field.
First and foremost is Coach Lawson. Your work ethic has inspired John and reinforced what I had always stressed–that hard work will pay off. In three years we watched kids of average ability become outstanding baseball players. We won a state championship with a team that just got better every time we stepped on the field. Junior and senior season we fielded teams that didn’t get to the promised land, but certainly could beat the best high school teams in the country on any given day. You have had your share of critics, and at times I have been among them, but you have earned my admiration and respect. You’re a good man.
Coach Ed Waters. Thank you for your encouraging words and your warm smile. John loved you from day 1. When John came to STA he was already a highly educated hitter so it was easy for him to separate the phonies from the professionals. You’re a professional. Thank you for your letters of recommendation that you had no problem signing your name to. And thanks for taking the time to make the calls.
Coach Hill. For just keeping it light. Every staff needs a guy like you. John came home with Coach Hill stories just about every other day. You’re the best.
To coach Hack. You taught John more than he’ll ever need to get a guy out. You’re a genius While some would like to take all the credit for their success, I have watched you make chicken salad out of chicken %$#&. You could coach anywhere, at any level.
To coach Clark. You’re the guy who pushed to get John moved up sophomore year. Within a week of being moved up, he was in the starting lineup for good. If you don’t have people plugging for you it’s easy to get lost at STA. Thank you.
To Vice Principle Mulder and Mr. Falcone. For seeing all the good that John is and watching his back. As you guys know–and some of his victims know-- he can drive you crazy. Thanks for letting him be himself. I think we’ve all been enriched by some of his memorable antics.
To Orrin Freeman. You pitched John to Notre Dame, called Ross Jones at UF, and pitched him to other coaches with the complete confidence that John could compete at the Division 1 level. I would say: “You know Orrin, he’s not too fast.” You would reply: “It doesn’t matter if you can get to second with one swing.” You took time out of your busy schedule to watch John play and you never hesitated to pick up a phone. Your reputation at the highest level of the game in unmatched. You wear 2 World Series rings and have been behind deals that made those rings possible. You have seen talent all over the world and then looked us straight in the eyes and said “John can play.” You’ll never know how much that means to us. Thank you. And go get another ring.
To the parents at STA. Thank you for making the last 4 years more fun than any 40 plus person could ever had. Not all the kids got to play but that never stopped us. Can’t wait for the upcoming parent reunions.
To Danny Adkins. I have never met another person with a bigger heart–and I mean that. May God’s grace and blessing be upon you and your family always. What you have given our children will never be erased from their hearts and minds. You gave them those special times that they will look back on and say “Man, wasn’t that great!” I could never give back to you what you have given us. Thank you from the entire Daly Family.
To all John’s team mates. People say that the friends you make in high school won’t be the friends you keep for all time. Obviously they didn’t graduate from St. Thomas. God bless you all and we’ll see you at the first football game in September.
My posts to this diary will end tomorrow with John’s graduation. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the people who have been so much a part of John’s success both academically and on the baseball field.
First and foremost is Coach Lawson. Your work ethic has inspired John and reinforced what I had always stressed–that hard work will pay off. In three years we watched kids of average ability become outstanding baseball players. We won a state championship with a team that just got better every time we stepped on the field. Junior and senior season we fielded teams that didn’t get to the promised land, but certainly could beat the best high school teams in the country on any given day. You have had your share of critics, and at times I have been among them, but you have earned my admiration and respect. You’re a good man.
Coach Ed Waters. Thank you for your encouraging words and your warm smile. John loved you from day 1. When John came to STA he was already a highly educated hitter so it was easy for him to separate the phonies from the professionals. You’re a professional. Thank you for your letters of recommendation that you had no problem signing your name to. And thanks for taking the time to make the calls.
Coach Hill. For just keeping it light. Every staff needs a guy like you. John came home with Coach Hill stories just about every other day. You’re the best.
To coach Hack. You taught John more than he’ll ever need to get a guy out. You’re a genius While some would like to take all the credit for their success, I have watched you make chicken salad out of chicken %$#&. You could coach anywhere, at any level.
To coach Clark. You’re the guy who pushed to get John moved up sophomore year. Within a week of being moved up, he was in the starting lineup for good. If you don’t have people plugging for you it’s easy to get lost at STA. Thank you.
To Vice Principle Mulder and Mr. Falcone. For seeing all the good that John is and watching his back. As you guys know–and some of his victims know-- he can drive you crazy. Thanks for letting him be himself. I think we’ve all been enriched by some of his memorable antics.
To Orrin Freeman. You pitched John to Notre Dame, called Ross Jones at UF, and pitched him to other coaches with the complete confidence that John could compete at the Division 1 level. I would say: “You know Orrin, he’s not too fast.” You would reply: “It doesn’t matter if you can get to second with one swing.” You took time out of your busy schedule to watch John play and you never hesitated to pick up a phone. Your reputation at the highest level of the game in unmatched. You wear 2 World Series rings and have been behind deals that made those rings possible. You have seen talent all over the world and then looked us straight in the eyes and said “John can play.” You’ll never know how much that means to us. Thank you. And go get another ring.
To the parents at STA. Thank you for making the last 4 years more fun than any 40 plus person could ever had. Not all the kids got to play but that never stopped us. Can’t wait for the upcoming parent reunions.
To Danny Adkins. I have never met another person with a bigger heart–and I mean that. May God’s grace and blessing be upon you and your family always. What you have given our children will never be erased from their hearts and minds. You gave them those special times that they will look back on and say “Man, wasn’t that great!” I could never give back to you what you have given us. Thank you from the entire Daly Family.
To all John’s team mates. People say that the friends you make in high school won’t be the friends you keep for all time. Obviously they didn’t graduate from St. Thomas. God bless you all and we’ll see you at the first football game in September.
THAT SATS IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
quote:Originally posted by raiderrick:
THAT SATS IT ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
sta had a great season
good luck to john in college
The selectors will have their hands full with player of the year. I would have to eliminate the 2 Davids because (although terrific players) they don't bring the same pitching component to the table and Douglas ended up playing a lesser schedule than customary. (e.g. 10 games in what happened to be, this year, a down district. (overall record of their opponents was 47-69)). No knock on Douglas or the players, they didn't plan it, just one of those things that sometimes happens.
Between Will and Dennis, I am a big Will fan, but it seems kinda hard to argue with Dennis' 9-0 pitching record, as well as his being one of the county's leading hitters. But, who knows?
I don't know if the voters for these things take such matters as schedule strength into account but, although Nova played a seemingly stronger schedule than those they have been accused of playing in the past, it was still not quite up to the STA schedule which was outstanding.
By the way, the dubious distinction of "toughest schedule in the county" probably belongs not to STA but to the young Cooper City team which, between here, and the Cleats Invitational in Phoenix, played 8 games against teams holding a national ranking (plus one against a California top 20); 16 games against teams in Fla. who were either district champions or runners-up, and only 6 games all season against teams with an overall losing record.
Most importantly bigJD, I hope you are glad you didn't chuck it early on. You wrote it, and they read. You did a great job IMHO of presenting the season pros and cons, and picked up a following along the way. Perhaps the post from the kid in DC says best what the internet can be all about when good folks take the time to talk to one another. Congrats to both John's for the completion of this particular phase of the experience. And thank you both for letting us share. It seems to me that the greatest thing about baseball, no matter what, is that the love you gave to it as a kid will, if you let it, last you a lifetime.
Between Will and Dennis, I am a big Will fan, but it seems kinda hard to argue with Dennis' 9-0 pitching record, as well as his being one of the county's leading hitters. But, who knows?
I don't know if the voters for these things take such matters as schedule strength into account but, although Nova played a seemingly stronger schedule than those they have been accused of playing in the past, it was still not quite up to the STA schedule which was outstanding.
By the way, the dubious distinction of "toughest schedule in the county" probably belongs not to STA but to the young Cooper City team which, between here, and the Cleats Invitational in Phoenix, played 8 games against teams holding a national ranking (plus one against a California top 20); 16 games against teams in Fla. who were either district champions or runners-up, and only 6 games all season against teams with an overall losing record.
Most importantly bigJD, I hope you are glad you didn't chuck it early on. You wrote it, and they read. You did a great job IMHO of presenting the season pros and cons, and picked up a following along the way. Perhaps the post from the kid in DC says best what the internet can be all about when good folks take the time to talk to one another. Congrats to both John's for the completion of this particular phase of the experience. And thank you both for letting us share. It seems to me that the greatest thing about baseball, no matter what, is that the love you gave to it as a kid will, if you let it, last you a lifetime.
Bigjd,
I have come to admire your posts and looked for them every morning. You son is lucky to have you and you are blessed to have him. He will be just an awesome person.
Good luck to you and your family.
Eric Ridener
I have come to admire your posts and looked for them every morning. You son is lucky to have you and you are blessed to have him. He will be just an awesome person.
Good luck to you and your family.
Eric Ridener
thanks for the posts bigjd it was a quality journal that i enjoyed and looked forward too everyday
Bigjd39,
I too enjoyed reading your diary. The year has flown by so fast and the season doesn't seem as long as it used to.
I only hope that I can Journal Shane's senior year as well as you have with Johns. I think this is a Great Gift to give to your son.
Best of luck to you and your family.
I too enjoyed reading your diary. The year has flown by so fast and the season doesn't seem as long as it used to.
I only hope that I can Journal Shane's senior year as well as you have with Johns. I think this is a Great Gift to give to your son.
Best of luck to you and your family.
It wouldn't be fair if I didn't take the time to thank the readers of this forum for the kind words and encouragement you have offered throughout this season. Without you, the posts would have ended before they got started. The Diary has been a tremendous learning experience for me. A special thanks to BigHit and Rob Pincus, and Fabeets whose posts added color and substance. This won't be the last you hear of this Diary. This past season will be the basis for a book titled "The Final Season." I hope to complete the manuscript in time for next Father's Day. So if you don't hear from me, you'll know why. Good luck to all of you--and have fun--it's just a game. JD