How do you measure success with your baseball playing son? Increasing his batting average, lowering his ERA, or does a W spell success? Even though it is a team sport can he still be successful and lose? Your thoughts.
Fungo
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I measured his success by seeing him with his College Uniform on for the first time this Fall (a little misty eyed). He will measure it a little bit different.
A smile and a dirty uniform.
That is success to me.
That is success to me.
I guess I am hardcore. Batting Average and Few Errors are how I judge success on the field. Playing hard, sacrificing the body to catch or stop a ball. Hustling down the basepath trying to beat out a poorly hit groundball. Playing with passion.
Accepting responsibility for his actions ... Working as hard in the classroom as on the field ...
Setting goals and working to achieve them ...
Growing into a fine young man who plays baseball well instead of a bright kid who plays baseball well.
I'm a lot more interested in WHO he is than WHAT he does.
Setting goals and working to achieve them ...
Growing into a fine young man who plays baseball well instead of a bright kid who plays baseball well.
I'm a lot more interested in WHO he is than WHAT he does.
I'm sorry. I was referring to sucess at baseball.
Fungo....
You and I haven't communicated in a while, but for my son, I would say his 'make-up' and 'work ethic' has separated him from others. He is definitely not the biggest player on the field, and I would put him up against anyone out there when it comes to playing the game. He is srictly business and wants to do whatever he is asked to do to help his team win. I think he'll play right from the beginning as a freshman. Any coach would like to have a kid like him on his team.
You and I haven't communicated in a while, but for my son, I would say his 'make-up' and 'work ethic' has separated him from others. He is definitely not the biggest player on the field, and I would put him up against anyone out there when it comes to playing the game. He is srictly business and wants to do whatever he is asked to do to help his team win. I think he'll play right from the beginning as a freshman. Any coach would like to have a kid like him on his team.
His ability to learn from every situation, successful ones and not so successful. Obviously the "big hit" or "no hitter" are easy but the little things that he improves on are key to me.
Success may well be defined by the TYPE of player and the EXPECTATIONS that are placed upon him. JT, Jr is not going to be the star or hit the game winning HR, but is a lead-off/#2 type hitter. Therefore, success is measured by means OTHER than just raw numbers...
Did he work his hardest?
Out hustle the opposition?
Support his teammates?
Listen to his coaches?
Respect the game?
Take care of the "little things"?
IF he does those things, success will come, in whatever endeavor. I consider it no small coincidence that his favorite player is DAVID ECKSTEIN.
As far as measureable things, I have no definition other than what I gave above. All I look for is a smile on his face and dirt on the uni.
Did he work his hardest?
Out hustle the opposition?
Support his teammates?
Listen to his coaches?
Respect the game?
Take care of the "little things"?
IF he does those things, success will come, in whatever endeavor. I consider it no small coincidence that his favorite player is DAVID ECKSTEIN.
As far as measureable things, I have no definition other than what I gave above. All I look for is a smile on his face and dirt on the uni.
If, after years and years and years of missing out on going to birthday parties, sleep-overs, swimming on hot summer days, waking up before dawn on summer weekends, freezing in the frigid weather that was too cold to play in but they did anyway, not hanging out with friends or not having any girlfriends because of baseball games or practices, if, when he leaves the field and then the dugout for the very last time, and he looks back on all those years of playing oodles and oodles and oodles of games, and even more practices, and remembers all of the bruises and pulled muscles and spike marks and his exhausted body and all of the friends that he has made in all parts of the country and experiences he has had, that he would only have had playing baseball and he says--"Man, that was FUN!!"--then that is how we will measure his success.
quote:I'm a lot more interested in WHO he is than WHAT he does.
That is also the measuring stick for me. Is he honest, hardworking, and loyal. Does he show compassion and understanding toward all those that he comes in contact with. Do his friends and family hold more importance to him than anything material.
.
Growth as s human being...
...Always looking for an excuse to use this...and every time I read it I "Chill"...Kipling got it all right...
If…
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Kipling
44
.
quote:I'm a lot more interested in WHO he is than WHAT he does.
Growth as s human being...
...Always looking for an excuse to use this...and every time I read it I "Chill"...Kipling got it all right...
If…
IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Kipling
44.
quote:IF you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!
- Kipling
It is hard to improve on that OB44
I think that winning is the ultimate goal. However, if a player does not produce some sort of productive stats that contributes to that end, they will eventually see their careers end. Who is better, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady? If you are a pure stats person, you might say Manning. If it is all about the wins, then you have to say Brady. It is actually a complicated question with many answers and possibilities. One thing is for sure, we will get to see how valuable Adam Viniterri is to the whole question this weekend
I also liked HiHardHeat's response above as well
Success is measured by not where you start but where you finish and how you go about it. Success is facing failure and dealing with it. success is not whining about playing time and what is fair and not fair. If you are in college you should know life is not fair and deal with it. Success is working hard and being a little bit better every day you come off the field whether it be a game or practice. success is getting your degree and contributing to society.
quote:I think that winning is the ultimate goal. However, if a player does not produce some sort of productive stats that contributes to that end, they will eventually see their careers end. Who is better, Peyton Manning or Tom Brady? If you are a pure stats person, you might say Manning. If it is all about the wins, then you have to say Brady. It is actually a complicated question with many answers and possibilities.
This was a Mike&Mike topic this morning. What was interesting was the point that Baseball was probably the only sport that "winning it all" was not a necessity to be "judged" as a great player when you retire. That stigma hangs over the heads of players in most other sports.
quote:That stigma hangs over the heads of players in most other sports.
I think there is a media perception this is true but not sure it is in fact true imho. Dan Marino and Dan Fouts are two who come to mind that had good stats yet didn't win the SB. They asked Marino what would he rather have, a long productive career or a ring? He said without hesitating the long productive career. John Elway would have also made the HOF regardless if he would have won the SB. Jim Kelly is another recent example. I think the media is wrong about a lot of things and what they are really good at is hype and controversy.
I consider it a success each time my son from age 6 to present has had an experience with baseball that has kept him either involved, interested, learning, excited, or happy and not necessarily all at once. I would consider any experience that caused him to detach and not care at all about baseball failing. My son chose to play as a little one because his friends were playing and it seemed fun. He has been captive to this sport of his own valition ever since. I never played and wasn't really interested other than to enjoy moments with my grandfather. The playing days will end yet the numerous moments of enjoyment should continue and anyone who has felt good because of their real attraction to a sport will feel success over and over as a witness to a game once played and always desired. I enjoy seeing him in uniform and participating because I know it moves him.
quote:Dan Marino and Dan Fouts are two who come to mind that had good stats yet didn't win the SB
I agree, but unfortunatly it is the media who leads this circus to begin with, so they hold the key to John Q Publics interpetation of the definition of "greatness". If you ask Marino Kelly, or Fouts if they thought their careers were complete, they would both look at their fingers and shake their head.
I am a HUGE sports fan but very ignorant of what the media writes because I really do not read it much for that reason. Maybe thats why I can be a little offensive to some on this site. I tend to "call-out" folks who I do not agree with here, and I can't do that with the media. My new years resolution was to avoid conflict, I'm not doing bad, but, it's still early
Great posts by ClevelandDad and rz1.
The media be darned! Virtually 100% non athletes that ask the dumbest questions imaginable in the locker room, write sensational BS in their newspaper columns and are saved only by the trend to "real" athletes on TV.
A coach that wins 75% of his teams games and a boatload of conference championships is a GREAT coach...PERIOD!. A player like Marino or Fouts that is head and shoulders above 99% of their peers is a GREAT palyer....PERIOD!
Its 30-1 in the pro's AGAINST winning it all.
Its 293-1 in D1 baseball.
117-1 in D1 Football.
Case closed.
The media be darned! Virtually 100% non athletes that ask the dumbest questions imaginable in the locker room, write sensational BS in their newspaper columns and are saved only by the trend to "real" athletes on TV.
A coach that wins 75% of his teams games and a boatload of conference championships is a GREAT coach...PERIOD!. A player like Marino or Fouts that is head and shoulders above 99% of their peers is a GREAT palyer....PERIOD!
Its 30-1 in the pro's AGAINST winning it all.
Its 293-1 in D1 baseball.
117-1 in D1 Football.
Case closed.
rz:
I certainly don't have any complaints about you being offensive , but if this will help with others that do, then please feel free to keep this rz...use it any time that offensive feeling is in the air!
quote:Originally posted by rz1:
I can be a little offensive to some on this site.
I certainly don't have any complaints about you being offensive , but if this will help with others that do, then please feel free to keep this rz...use it any time that offensive feeling is in the air!
.
Certianly there is an ego boost for both of me and my son in compiling statistics and wins which leads to opportunity, self esteem boosting, feel good, fun, friends, and maybe money.
On the other hand...The question was "...how do YOU measure success with your baseball playing son..."
The kudo's I get because my son won a title or compiled some statistics are VERY, VERY intoxicating...too clsoe to home to judge on that basis
Success goes way beyond that for me. In the end when someone whose view of the world I have come to greatly respect comes and quietly tells me that he is a fine young man...or tells me a story of some unseen and little appreciated act of humanity, or teamwork that he has accomplished and that it made an impression. In the bigger, longer picture that means more to me.
I could supply some examples but then, like the statistics and the wins, it would be about my kudo's and not about him....wouldn't it?
44
.
Certianly there is an ego boost for both of me and my son in compiling statistics and wins which leads to opportunity, self esteem boosting, feel good, fun, friends, and maybe money.
On the other hand...The question was "...how do YOU measure success with your baseball playing son..."
The kudo's I get because my son won a title or compiled some statistics are VERY, VERY intoxicating...too clsoe to home to judge on that basis
Success goes way beyond that for me. In the end when someone whose view of the world I have come to greatly respect comes and quietly tells me that he is a fine young man...or tells me a story of some unseen and little appreciated act of humanity, or teamwork that he has accomplished and that it made an impression. In the bigger, longer picture that means more to me.
I could supply some examples but then, like the statistics and the wins, it would be about my kudo's and not about him....wouldn't it?
44.
Osbserver44 -- I could not agree with you more.
All the wins, strike outs, shut outs, a low era, etc. are definite components of success as to records and numbers. I don't feel just the numbers are a true account of ones success as a player. Through baseball our son's have the opportunity to experience excitement, self-worth, pride, camaraderie, failure, set backs, passion, dedication, success and humility to name a few. One's ability to embrace, accept and respect these opportunities is one's true measure of success. At the end of it all, one will not be remembered for a high school or college record or statistic. You will sit quietly and remember how that person's essence touched your life, whether it was his kindness, humor, smile, or the like. Baseball is just an incredible advantage for our son's to have more experiences and become the man one is proud of.
All the wins, strike outs, shut outs, a low era, etc. are definite components of success as to records and numbers. I don't feel just the numbers are a true account of ones success as a player. Through baseball our son's have the opportunity to experience excitement, self-worth, pride, camaraderie, failure, set backs, passion, dedication, success and humility to name a few. One's ability to embrace, accept and respect these opportunities is one's true measure of success. At the end of it all, one will not be remembered for a high school or college record or statistic. You will sit quietly and remember how that person's essence touched your life, whether it was his kindness, humor, smile, or the like. Baseball is just an incredible advantage for our son's to have more experiences and become the man one is proud of.
.
Southernmom...
WOW!....Exactly the post I was trying to make! Thanks you so much, I'll save this one.
You'd make a great Godmother!
44
.
Southernmom...
WOW!....Exactly the post I was trying to make! Thanks you so much, I'll save this one.
You'd make a great Godmother!
44.
Getting a chance to play another season.
Son signed this morning and having a bit of an emotional day. As I admired him sitting at the table, all I could think of was the person he has become --- not his athletic ability. When I looked about in the room at his grandparents, aunts, uncles, sister, coaches and friends, I again could not think of anything but how he has touched their lives and they have touched his life. His god given athletic abilities are just extras. I personally don't think that D1 is the only avenue (he did have those options), more importantly, he is proud of his decision. As I have said in previous posts, it is his performance that counts -- no matter what I think or where he plays.
Success really depends on who is doing the measuring. I feel it is how my son feels about where he is at at any given time. Success is an ongoing state.
All parents will be proud no matter what happens.
All parents will be proud no matter what happens.
.
Southernmom...
Signing is a one success by all measures...athletic, academic, personal...
44
.
Southernmom...
Signing is a one success by all measures...athletic, academic, personal...
44.
When Texan Son has given his best effort - physically and mentally, I'm happy.
He has always given it everything he has on the field, so that is never an issue. On rare occasions he hasn't used his head to his full capability.
With Texan Son being a pitcher, I don't judge his success on whether or not the team won. I would never hold him responsible for errors made behind him. If he has gotten the opponent to hit ground balls and fly balls, he has done his job.
He has always given it everything he has on the field, so that is never an issue. On rare occasions he hasn't used his head to his full capability.
With Texan Son being a pitcher, I don't judge his success on whether or not the team won. I would never hold him responsible for errors made behind him. If he has gotten the opponent to hit ground balls and fly balls, he has done his job.
quote:I would never hold him responsible for errors made behind him.
I might
This is why I said above that the measure of success can take on many forms. To use pitchers as an example, some pitchers (not yours Texan) are hard on their defense. They fidget and pose and take forever to throw a pitch. Other guys get the ball and let it fly because they trust their defense and realize it is a team game. Those type of guys possibly get better performance out of their defense.
Some pitchers work faster, others slower. I never did accept that lame excuse for some fielder booting an easy grounder.
Did he ( son ) give 110%?
Did he improve?
Did he earn his teammates and coaches respect?
Was he a leader both on and off the field?
Was he a t-e-a-m player?
Did he have the time of his life?
Answer yes to all of the above, and I'd say we had a pretty darn good year!
Did he improve?
Did he earn his teammates and coaches respect?
Was he a leader both on and off the field?
Was he a t-e-a-m player?
Did he have the time of his life?
Answer yes to all of the above, and I'd say we had a pretty darn good year!
Ever since my son has shown his love for baseball, I have had different measures of success for him. The long range goal was to get a D1 college scholarship. He got that. So from that perspective, his baseball career has been successful.
Along the way there have been many smaller measurements of success. Most of them, only my son and I appreciate. For the most part, they really aren't about his stats or winning games.
For example, when I coached him as an 8 year old in All-Star competition, he struck out about 25 times in the first 12 games or so. Always on high pitches that looked so good. I dropped him from 2nd to last in the lineup and every day was batting practice to get him to lay off the high stuff. The 2nd half of the All-Star season was much better and he was able to let the high ones go by. Every year I reinforced the importance of laying off the high pitch. Now that he is in high school, pitchers use the high heat as their out pitch and it is a pleasure to watch him take pitches just a little high that most hitters would go for.
As he got older, we worked on pitch selection more than anything. Especially from the mental side of things. In high school, my son had to learn another lesson about pitch selection. As a sophmore he made varsity and batted cleanup. He struggled early in the season because he felt obligated to hit the ball to drive runners home. Pitchers were getting him to hit their pitch and he was struggling.
When I first offered to help him he was indignant and told me he just had to get used to varsity pitching and adjust to batting cleanup, which he had never done. So I left him alone and waited for him to ask me for advice. After 10 games and no improvement he asked me my opinion. I told him that he has to understand that pitchers have respect for the cleanup batter whether they know the player or not. A lot of pitchers see the cleanup hitter as a better hitter than they are a pitcher. So they won't challenge him. I made him watch Barry Bonds. I showed him how rarely Bonds gets a good pitch to hit. I told him, "You don't see Bonds get frustrated and go after bad pitches. He just drops the bat, removes his elbow pad and trots to 1st base. You need to develop that discipline yourself. Let the bad pitches go by, take your walk and enjoy it. It's much better than grounding out to 2nd base and your production will go up.
Well, Bless the kids soul, he took it to heart and hasn't looked back.
This past season, I had another opportunity to help him. It seems like the opportunities to help him are becoming less and less frequent. Anyway, when my son was young, I was his only teacher. Without this sounding like bragging, he does have a very nice swing. I gave him the proper mechanics at a very young age and left him alone. But this past season he tried out for a top AAU summer team and made it. At the first practice the head coach told him he had to widen his stance because he would be seeing faster pitching and would not be able to stay back on off speed pitches. I told my son he needed to continue hitting just the way he was. My son told me that the coach was right because he was grounding out on off speed pitches. The coach had Major League ties and probably seemed much more credible to my son than me.
This was a difficult moment for me. I'm sure my son was thinking, "Dad, if you're so smart, how come you're not a Major League scout like he is?" So I pulled out an evaluation sheet from a showcase he did several months earlier. He had gotten a written evaluation from a pro scout. I showed him the first three words in the section that evaluated his hitting. They were, "Nice wide stance." I told my son that these were two people with different opinions.
I then asked his catching coach, a former D1 catcher and now a college coach, to evaluate my sons swing. He didn't mention anything about the stance but said my son should start his hands more forward and then bring them back as the pitch came in. I told my son, "If you keep listening to every baseball guy with an opinion, your swing will look nothing like the swing that has gotten you to this level. Have confidence in your ability and only consider changing something if it isn't working. Your swing is unique for you and no change is guaranteed to improve it."
Well, he listened to me and had a great summer and fall. He led the team in extra base hits and batted in the 3 hole.
It is moments like the ones above that I have treasured the most. My son and I, working together behind the scenes and then watching him have success because of our effort.
Along the way there have been many smaller measurements of success. Most of them, only my son and I appreciate. For the most part, they really aren't about his stats or winning games.
For example, when I coached him as an 8 year old in All-Star competition, he struck out about 25 times in the first 12 games or so. Always on high pitches that looked so good. I dropped him from 2nd to last in the lineup and every day was batting practice to get him to lay off the high stuff. The 2nd half of the All-Star season was much better and he was able to let the high ones go by. Every year I reinforced the importance of laying off the high pitch. Now that he is in high school, pitchers use the high heat as their out pitch and it is a pleasure to watch him take pitches just a little high that most hitters would go for.
As he got older, we worked on pitch selection more than anything. Especially from the mental side of things. In high school, my son had to learn another lesson about pitch selection. As a sophmore he made varsity and batted cleanup. He struggled early in the season because he felt obligated to hit the ball to drive runners home. Pitchers were getting him to hit their pitch and he was struggling.
When I first offered to help him he was indignant and told me he just had to get used to varsity pitching and adjust to batting cleanup, which he had never done. So I left him alone and waited for him to ask me for advice. After 10 games and no improvement he asked me my opinion. I told him that he has to understand that pitchers have respect for the cleanup batter whether they know the player or not. A lot of pitchers see the cleanup hitter as a better hitter than they are a pitcher. So they won't challenge him. I made him watch Barry Bonds. I showed him how rarely Bonds gets a good pitch to hit. I told him, "You don't see Bonds get frustrated and go after bad pitches. He just drops the bat, removes his elbow pad and trots to 1st base. You need to develop that discipline yourself. Let the bad pitches go by, take your walk and enjoy it. It's much better than grounding out to 2nd base and your production will go up.
Well, Bless the kids soul, he took it to heart and hasn't looked back.
This past season, I had another opportunity to help him. It seems like the opportunities to help him are becoming less and less frequent. Anyway, when my son was young, I was his only teacher. Without this sounding like bragging, he does have a very nice swing. I gave him the proper mechanics at a very young age and left him alone. But this past season he tried out for a top AAU summer team and made it. At the first practice the head coach told him he had to widen his stance because he would be seeing faster pitching and would not be able to stay back on off speed pitches. I told my son he needed to continue hitting just the way he was. My son told me that the coach was right because he was grounding out on off speed pitches. The coach had Major League ties and probably seemed much more credible to my son than me.
This was a difficult moment for me. I'm sure my son was thinking, "Dad, if you're so smart, how come you're not a Major League scout like he is?" So I pulled out an evaluation sheet from a showcase he did several months earlier. He had gotten a written evaluation from a pro scout. I showed him the first three words in the section that evaluated his hitting. They were, "Nice wide stance." I told my son that these were two people with different opinions.
I then asked his catching coach, a former D1 catcher and now a college coach, to evaluate my sons swing. He didn't mention anything about the stance but said my son should start his hands more forward and then bring them back as the pitch came in. I told my son, "If you keep listening to every baseball guy with an opinion, your swing will look nothing like the swing that has gotten you to this level. Have confidence in your ability and only consider changing something if it isn't working. Your swing is unique for you and no change is guaranteed to improve it."
Well, he listened to me and had a great summer and fall. He led the team in extra base hits and batted in the 3 hole.
It is moments like the ones above that I have treasured the most. My son and I, working together behind the scenes and then watching him have success because of our effort.
quote:Originally posted by JT:
Therefore, success is measured by means OTHER than just raw numbers...
Did he work his hardest?
Out hustle the opposition?
Support his teammates?
Listen to his coaches?
Respect the game?
Take care of the "little things"?
IF he does those things, success will come, in whatever endeavor.
JT - You basically summed up my thoughts so I'm borrowing some of your post if it's ok. I work with numbers all day and I'm analytical by nature so number intrigue me. I enjoy seeing BA, OBP, ERA etc but I rarely keep them unless I need to make a point to him which has happened a total of 2 times over the past 7 years. I agree with JT, it's the little things that make me smile. For example, last summer in the WS, he had a disasterous outing but got a huge W. In another tourney, he pitched a nearly flawless game but got a close (2-1) L. Which one do you think made me prouder?