Way too many judgements in this thread. Nobody should "go away" and certainly there have been no shots at other players and, the fact is, lots of people have similar views about junior colleges when it comes to the educational aspect. It's life and nothing that I would find offensive.
Hey, the guy just suffered a huge disappointment that would be a disappointment to anyone here. It has nothing to do with any previous post at some previous time. Give him a break.
Agree jemaz 100%
Hi again,
I completely understand your perspective, RJM. Like you, we wanted our sons to attend the best colleges possible. They both were top students and, at one time, we placed a high value on where they would get their degrees. Our dreams for them did not include pro ball. In fact, the whole idea of a pro baseball career seemed unstable, stressful, and remote. As their paths began to unfold, however, it became apparent that we could not control their destinies.
It was hard to let our oldest attend a local mid level D1 and even harder to let our younger son attend a JUCO, both for baseball opportunities. However, once the process started, we realized that we could either insist on our way or encourage and support their decisions. We chose the latter and the ride has been amazing! Our oldest made it all the way to MLB and is currently completing his degree and training required for a second career, courtesy of the MLB scholarship fund. Our younger son eventually played for a Big 12 school, graduated Cum Laude, and is now gainfully employed in a career that he loves. Both overcame many obstacles along the way, including several surgeries each, which only made them stronger.
I sincerely hope that you come to realize that you, too, have the same choice. Your son will face many unexpected twists and turns in his life. My hope is that, as these come along, you will allow your son to assess the situation and plot his own course, with your guidance, and that you will be able to support his decisions.
The risk is that he may take a path that you did not envision for his future. The reward is that he may exceed all of your expectations.
I completely understand your perspective, RJM. Like you, we wanted our sons to attend the best colleges possible. They both were top students and, at one time, we placed a high value on where they would get their degrees. Our dreams for them did not include pro ball. In fact, the whole idea of a pro baseball career seemed unstable, stressful, and remote. As their paths began to unfold, however, it became apparent that we could not control their destinies.
It was hard to let our oldest attend a local mid level D1 and even harder to let our younger son attend a JUCO, both for baseball opportunities. However, once the process started, we realized that we could either insist on our way or encourage and support their decisions. We chose the latter and the ride has been amazing! Our oldest made it all the way to MLB and is currently completing his degree and training required for a second career, courtesy of the MLB scholarship fund. Our younger son eventually played for a Big 12 school, graduated Cum Laude, and is now gainfully employed in a career that he loves. Both overcame many obstacles along the way, including several surgeries each, which only made them stronger.
I sincerely hope that you come to realize that you, too, have the same choice. Your son will face many unexpected twists and turns in his life. My hope is that, as these come along, you will allow your son to assess the situation and plot his own course, with your guidance, and that you will be able to support his decisions.
The risk is that he may take a path that you did not envision for his future. The reward is that he may exceed all of your expectations.
TxMom - Beautiful words of wisdom for us all!
Very nice post, TxMom. Those are good words for anyone.
I think the problem here is that thread creator wants it both ways. Based on the title and the content of the OP, the Poster was looking for a sympathetic audience to share his predicament. And he got one. Many, many people offered words of kindness and encouragement. Most responses were short, some waxed poetic, and others offered suggestions on alternate paths. All of them were from the heart and in the spirit of the OP.
Then the thread creator changed the rules. He threw empathy back in the face of the responders and wondered aloud what the brouhaha is all about. He’d turned from asking the community for support to lecturing on the specifics of his life decision processes.
Ultimately, he has committed no injustice, but it does rub the wrong way and feels plenty spiteful.
Then the thread creator changed the rules. He threw empathy back in the face of the responders and wondered aloud what the brouhaha is all about. He’d turned from asking the community for support to lecturing on the specifics of his life decision processes.
Ultimately, he has committed no injustice, but it does rub the wrong way and feels plenty spiteful.
It's just RJM being RJM. He's had the same view of academics and baseball for his son as long as he's been on this board, and has stated it repeatedly. I can't imagine making the same decision, but we each raise our children the best we can.
quote:Originally posted by CABBallFan:
I think the problem here is that thread creator wants it both ways. Based on the title and the content of the OP, the Poster was looking for a sympathetic audience to share his predicament. And he got one. Many, many people offered words of kindness and encouragement. Most responses were short, some waxed poetic, and others offered suggestions on alternate paths. All of them were from the heart and in the spirit of the OP.
Then the thread creator changed the rules. He threw empathy back in the face of the responders and wondered aloud what the brouhaha is all about. He’d turned from asking the community for support to lecturing on the specifics of his life decision processes.
Ultimately, he has committed no injustice, but it does rub the wrong way and feels plenty spiteful.
Exactly.
It's called killing your parents and then complaining that you are an orphan.
TXMom - that might be the best post I've read in a long while. Also a teacher, I too share your dream for my children, which aspired to a name brand academic school. When my son made it clear that baseball for him was the REASON he worked at his academics, we understand what got him through the day. We feel lucky he found a D1 that would have never been on our academic list where a coach loves him, watches out for him, ensures he reaches his academic peak, and gets both athletic support and academic support. The dream didn't die. It became his dream.
As an aside, see the movie Race to Nowhere. You'll love it.
As an aside, see the movie Race to Nowhere. You'll love it.
Yep, very nice post, TXMom!
quote:I think the problem here is that thread creator wants it both ways. Based on the title and the content of the OP, the Poster was looking for a sympathetic audience to share his predicament. And he got one. Many, many people offered words of kindness and encouragement. Most responses were short, some waxed poetic, and others offered suggestions on alternate paths. All of them were from the heart and in the spirit of the OPcreator wants it both ways. Based on the title and the content of the OP, the Poster was looking for a sympathetic audience to share his predicament. And he got one. Many, many people offered words of kindness and encouragement. Most responses were short, some waxed poetic, and others offered suggestions on alternate paths. All of them were from the heart and in the spirit of the OP.
Then the thread creator changed the rules. He threw empathy back in the face of the responders and wondered aloud what the brouhaha is all about. He’d turned from asking the community for support to lecturing on the specifics of his life decision processes.
Ultimately, he has committed no injustice, but it does rub the wrong way and feels plenty spiteful.
Exactly.There were absolutely no judgments made at all in the beginning.Everyone showed empathy and respect for RJM and his son.
Then exactly as in the quote he began to make comments that he has made many times before about Junior college and such.
I personally dont really care about his opinion about JC ball, USC or anything else.Whay bothers me is that the dream is not dead.He is dictating that.
That is perfectly fine,Its his son and his likfe, but like Coach Mays said you try to control too much and the result can be devastating.
I hope for RJM's son sake is that his son is OK with this decision to move on and just focus on an education.
Education is very important.Just dont knock others choices with rude remarks which he has done over, and over.He insulted USC several times.And he calls any schools that are not IVY or that standadrd PODUNK.
And the fact that he states that he will spend 200,000 dollars on his sons education, that is awesome he has 200,000 to spend.But many if not most of us have that kind of money,
So when RJM states that his son is not at CD or my sosn level and he doesnt have those skills. CD's son and my son were not high recruits out of HS.They werent rated this and that by anybody.
Both those boys had dreams and they went after them.And with a ton of hard work were able to succeed at a D1 school.
My own son had very little interest out of HS.He, Not me, wanted to play at a certain level.He came to us and wanted to go to a JC.Like TX mom stated its hard to let them go to JC esp. if they have good grades and can go to a 4 year.
I have no problem with RJM and what he does with his son.I have a problem with how everyone showed support and empathy and he then makes rude remarks about other peoples choices.
The dream didnt completely die, he decided which direction he was directing the dream.And thats ok, but as Coach may said, be very careful when you force your kids intoa situation that is not part of their dream.
Yes RJM you are wrting the check,I hope the best for you and your son.
My
I haven't really followed this thread closely due to the fact my internet at home is busted right now but I just got caught up as my class works on study guides. I got to say it hits very close to home to me as my senior year in high school was derailed due to injury. I hurt my knee early in the preseason and had a slow start but turned it on. Then the week before playoffs were to start I hurt it again much worse. I got to play a little bit in the playoffs as my team was getting beat - the whole senior / last year / courtesy playing time.
I didn't get to go out the way I wanted to. Not being 100% was tough enough but due to my knee injury I couldn't rotate my bottom half to really hit. So my swing was pretty useless and I struck out in my final at bat of my high school career and it was the third out of the game / season. I stood there for a few moments and then limped out to the line of players shaking hands. Went back to the dugout and buried my head under a towel and cried like a baby. I just knew I was done and it was over. During the rehab on my knee I thought it was over and my days of playing were over. Many times I wanted to never consider playing again I was so mad at the whole situation. But I got healthy and so did the desire to play.
Luckily just after the season was over the college I ended up attending had a recruiting day where they picked a bunch of us up and gave us a day long tour of the campus. Funny thing is I had no idea about the trip. I was dead set on going to another school without baseball. So when they called for people to get on the van I just got up and went with them - pretty much skipping the whole day without permission. We get to that school and are on the tour and I run into a guy who was a year older than me that I grew up playing against and he was on the team at the college. We sorta knew each other just from competing against each other over the years and going to rival high schools. Not a friendship but a mutual respect. He and I were talking and baseball came up. He knew about my injuries and asked where I was with them. I told him I was almost done with rehab and expected to be completely healthy. He said I should go there because I would make the team easily.
I went home and put some thought into it and wasn't really ready to commit. The more I thought about it I finally decided to switch schools but I still wasn't sold on playing again. Fast forward a few months and I'm at the new school. I'm standing in line at the bookstore and a this guy asks me if I played high school baseball. I told him I did and he said he thought he remembered me playing against him. After talking about it we realized we had played against each other and apparantly I had a good game against his team. He asked me if I was on the team at the college (he was a freshman also who was on scholarship) and I told him I wasn't and then explained my injuries. By this point I was pretty much healthy and released to do anything. We left the line for the bookstore and he took me to the baseball coach and introduced me. The coach and I had a nice small talk and told me when open tryouts were and to come.
I went and made the team. I only played two years because the realization my future was in coaching rather than playing became more important. I had the opportunity to become an asst. at a local high school after my sophomore year. After more thought I decided to give up playing to concentrate on coaching. To this day I don't regret making that decision because I wouldn't be where I'm at now if I had chosen differently but I do have it in the back of my mind that I wish I played those last two years.
It's amazing the path life takes you and the bumps it throws you. Plus you factor in the plan the Good Lord has for you and it makes you look back and wonder what if about many things. If I had stuck with my first college I probably wouldn't have been there when my dad died. The first college was several hours away while the one I went to was about 45 minutes away. I just made it in time to the hospital when he passed. My last words to my dad were I love you. My first college there were a bunch of my high school buddies going together. The college I ended up had nobody going to it from my high school (actually there were three guys from my high school that were older going there but I didn't know them). I met my best friends in college. I hardly speak to my high school buddies anymore but two of the guys I played baseball with in college are as close to me as if they were my brothers. I would give up everything I own if they needed it and one of them is that guy from the bookstore line. The college I was going to first was decent in academics but the college I went to was well known for academics (that's why very few from my high school went there - plus me getting a college degree was huge for people in my family).
I went a totally different path than anyone who knew me had initially intended. I can't explain how happy I am with my life and the choices I made. Obviously I've made mistakes and there are some things I wish were different but they aren't enough to make me want to make wholesale changes.
The point I'm trying to make if anyone has made it this far is don't close doors until it's out of your hands.
RJM I know from experience how bad your son feels right now and my heart goes out to him. He's going to have some tough times with rehab and he may want to play again or he may not. Let him make that decision. Plus, I realize that you want the best education for him and that's admirable but there might be a college out there that's slightly lower that will give him a chance to play if that's what he wants. A good education is still a good education no matter what address you send the checks to. The college I went to is well known for it's academics but it's no where near on the same level as Harvard or Yale but it's better than most state universities. Let some time pass and escape from the moment before making any real decisions for your son or with your son.
Regardless of what decisions you make I wish him the best of luck.
I didn't get to go out the way I wanted to. Not being 100% was tough enough but due to my knee injury I couldn't rotate my bottom half to really hit. So my swing was pretty useless and I struck out in my final at bat of my high school career and it was the third out of the game / season. I stood there for a few moments and then limped out to the line of players shaking hands. Went back to the dugout and buried my head under a towel and cried like a baby. I just knew I was done and it was over. During the rehab on my knee I thought it was over and my days of playing were over. Many times I wanted to never consider playing again I was so mad at the whole situation. But I got healthy and so did the desire to play.
Luckily just after the season was over the college I ended up attending had a recruiting day where they picked a bunch of us up and gave us a day long tour of the campus. Funny thing is I had no idea about the trip. I was dead set on going to another school without baseball. So when they called for people to get on the van I just got up and went with them - pretty much skipping the whole day without permission. We get to that school and are on the tour and I run into a guy who was a year older than me that I grew up playing against and he was on the team at the college. We sorta knew each other just from competing against each other over the years and going to rival high schools. Not a friendship but a mutual respect. He and I were talking and baseball came up. He knew about my injuries and asked where I was with them. I told him I was almost done with rehab and expected to be completely healthy. He said I should go there because I would make the team easily.
I went home and put some thought into it and wasn't really ready to commit. The more I thought about it I finally decided to switch schools but I still wasn't sold on playing again. Fast forward a few months and I'm at the new school. I'm standing in line at the bookstore and a this guy asks me if I played high school baseball. I told him I did and he said he thought he remembered me playing against him. After talking about it we realized we had played against each other and apparantly I had a good game against his team. He asked me if I was on the team at the college (he was a freshman also who was on scholarship) and I told him I wasn't and then explained my injuries. By this point I was pretty much healthy and released to do anything. We left the line for the bookstore and he took me to the baseball coach and introduced me. The coach and I had a nice small talk and told me when open tryouts were and to come.
I went and made the team. I only played two years because the realization my future was in coaching rather than playing became more important. I had the opportunity to become an asst. at a local high school after my sophomore year. After more thought I decided to give up playing to concentrate on coaching. To this day I don't regret making that decision because I wouldn't be where I'm at now if I had chosen differently but I do have it in the back of my mind that I wish I played those last two years.
It's amazing the path life takes you and the bumps it throws you. Plus you factor in the plan the Good Lord has for you and it makes you look back and wonder what if about many things. If I had stuck with my first college I probably wouldn't have been there when my dad died. The first college was several hours away while the one I went to was about 45 minutes away. I just made it in time to the hospital when he passed. My last words to my dad were I love you. My first college there were a bunch of my high school buddies going together. The college I ended up had nobody going to it from my high school (actually there were three guys from my high school that were older going there but I didn't know them). I met my best friends in college. I hardly speak to my high school buddies anymore but two of the guys I played baseball with in college are as close to me as if they were my brothers. I would give up everything I own if they needed it and one of them is that guy from the bookstore line. The college I was going to first was decent in academics but the college I went to was well known for academics (that's why very few from my high school went there - plus me getting a college degree was huge for people in my family).
I went a totally different path than anyone who knew me had initially intended. I can't explain how happy I am with my life and the choices I made. Obviously I've made mistakes and there are some things I wish were different but they aren't enough to make me want to make wholesale changes.
The point I'm trying to make if anyone has made it this far is don't close doors until it's out of your hands.
RJM I know from experience how bad your son feels right now and my heart goes out to him. He's going to have some tough times with rehab and he may want to play again or he may not. Let him make that decision. Plus, I realize that you want the best education for him and that's admirable but there might be a college out there that's slightly lower that will give him a chance to play if that's what he wants. A good education is still a good education no matter what address you send the checks to. The college I went to is well known for it's academics but it's no where near on the same level as Harvard or Yale but it's better than most state universities. Let some time pass and escape from the moment before making any real decisions for your son or with your son.
Regardless of what decisions you make I wish him the best of luck.
a number of various elements in this thread--many-east coast people view jucos in a diff-erent light han people in otherparts of the country----the womensviewpoint---RJM'S viewpoint----
makes for great debate
makes for great debate
quote:Originally posted by jemaz:
Way too many judgements in this thread. Nobody should "go away" and certainly there have been no shots at other players and, the fact is, lots of people have similar views about junior colleges when it comes to the educational aspect. It's life and nothing that I would find offensive.
jemaz - you are a respected member here but I respectfully disagree with your take here. I've gotten a half-dozen pm's the past several days and people are offended and that is why I finally said something.
Here's why:
Here's an RJM "shot" at other players and families in case you missed it:
quote:There are plenty of weak baseball programs I'm sure he could walk on. If he wanted to pound his chest he played D1, get an inferior education and get pounded every game he could go to Coppin State.
Who the he-ll is he to say something like that? We likely have a member whose son attends there. I'll speak for them and guess they were offended.
Regarding JUCO's - nobody is offended that RJM's take or your take for that matter on JUCO's is less than stellar. What offends me since I attended a JUCO for many years is that I know better. After my time at the JUCO, I was accepted into some of the top engineering schools in the country - no questions asked. My academic record at the JUCO did all the talking. I concede that some IVY's won't accept JUCO's but there are dozens of top academic schools in the northeast that will open the same high-fallutin doors.
The real "rub" here is that he has to espouse his snobbish opinions publicly. Here's the analogy: He drives a Mercedes and I drive a used but functional Volkswagon. When I pull in the driveway at night, he yells across the hedgerow "I would never be caught dead in something like that" I have no problem if he feels that way but do have a problem that he is insensitive enough to blurt it out within my earshot.
Finally, the title of the thread bothers me and is offensive imho. I didn't bring deldad into the topic. Please review his comments and maybe you'll both see why things could have been posted differently.
quote:Originally posted by coach2709:
I haven't really followed this thread closely due to the fact my internet at home is busted right now but I just got caught up as my class works on study guides. I got to say it hits very close to home to me as my senior year in high school was derailed due to injury. I hurt my knee early in the preseason and had a slow start but turned it on. Then the week before playoffs were to start I hurt it again much worse. I got to play a little bit in the playoffs as my team was getting beat - the whole senior / last year / courtesy playing time.
I didn't get to go out the way I wanted to. Not being 100% was tough enough but due to my knee injury I couldn't rotate my bottom half to really hit. So my swing was pretty useless and I struck out in my final at bat of my high school career and it was the third out of the game / season. I stood there for a few moments and then limped out to the line of players shaking hands. Went back to the dugout and buried my head under a towel and cried like a baby. I just knew I was done and it was over. During the rehab on my knee I thought it was over and my days of playing were over. Many times I wanted to never consider playing again I was so mad at the whole situation. But I got healthy and so did the desire to play.
Luckily just after the season was over the college I ended up attending had a recruiting day where they picked a bunch of us up and gave us a day long tour of the campus. Funny thing is I had no idea about the trip. I was dead set on going to another school without baseball. So when they called for people to get on the van I just got up and went with them - pretty much skipping the whole day without permission. We get to that school and are on the tour and I run into a guy who was a year older than me that I grew up playing against and he was on the team at the college. We sorta knew each other just from competing against each other over the years and going to rival high schools. Not a friendship but a mutual respect. He and I were talking and baseball came up. He knew about my injuries and asked where I was with them. I told him I was almost done with rehab and expected to be completely healthy. He said I should go there because I would make the team easily.
I went home and put some thought into it and wasn't really ready to commit. The more I thought about it I finally decided to switch schools but I still wasn't sold on playing again. Fast forward a few months and I'm at the new school. I'm standing in line at the bookstore and a this guy asks me if I played high school baseball. I told him I did and he said he thought he remembered me playing against him. After talking about it we realized we had played against each other and apparantly I had a good game against his team. He asked me if I was on the team at the college (he was a freshman also who was on scholarship) and I told him I wasn't and then explained my injuries. By this point I was pretty much healthy and released to do anything. We left the line for the bookstore and he took me to the baseball coach and introduced me. The coach and I had a nice small talk and told me when open tryouts were and to come.
I went and made the team. I only played two years because the realization my future was in coaching rather than playing became more important. I had the opportunity to become an asst. at a local high school after my sophomore year. After more thought I decided to give up playing to concentrate on coaching. To this day I don't regret making that decision because I wouldn't be where I'm at now if I had chosen differently but I do have it in the back of my mind that I wish I played those last two years.
It's amazing the path life takes you and the bumps it throws you. Plus you factor in the plan the Good Lord has for you and it makes you look back and wonder what if about many things. If I had stuck with my first college I probably wouldn't have been there when my dad died. The first college was several hours away while the one I went to was about 45 minutes away. I just made it in time to the hospital when he passed. My last words to my dad were I love you. My first college there were a bunch of my high school buddies going together. The college I ended up had nobody going to it from my high school (actually there were three guys from my high school that were older going there but I didn't know them). I met my best friends in college. I hardly speak to my high school buddies anymore but two of the guys I played baseball with in college are as close to me as if they were my brothers. I would give up everything I own if they needed it and one of them is that guy from the bookstore line. The college I was going to first was decent in academics but the college I went to was well known for academics (that's why very few from my high school went there - plus me getting a college degree was huge for people in my family).
I went a totally different path than anyone who knew me had initially intended. I can't explain how happy I am with my life and the choices I made. Obviously I've made mistakes and there are some things I wish were different but they aren't enough to make me want to make wholesale changes.
The point I'm trying to make if anyone has made it this far is don't close doors until it's out of your hands.
RJM I know from experience how bad your son feels right now and my heart goes out to him. He's going to have some tough times with rehab and he may want to play again or he may not. Let him make that decision. Plus, I realize that you want the best education for him and that's admirable but there might be a college out there that's slightly lower that will give him a chance to play if that's what he wants. A good education is still a good education no matter what address you send the checks to. The college I went to is well known for it's academics but it's no where near on the same level as Harvard or Yale but it's better than most state universities. Let some time pass and escape from the moment before making any real decisions for your son or with your son.
Regardless of what decisions you make I wish him the best of luck.
Coach2709,
Great post I think it is a great example of how the dream ends when the individual decides its over you did things on your terms and are to be commended for fighting the good fight not tucking your tale and succumbing to what others may have told you. Through all of these posts I have not heard much about finding out what RJM's son really wants. It seems Daddy is making decisions for him. When does that end? At 18,25,35...? At some point the young man will stand up and say this is what I am doing and hopefully his dad will be respectful enough to let the young man make choices that best suit him and only him.
dreams change, if you love the game there are many ways to stay involved. The bottom line is what does RJM's son really want! It would be nice to know although I doubt we will find out. I wish him the best in his recovery but you know it seems what would be best for him would be to go to school any school where he has the opportunity to make his own decisions with the guidance possible of his parents not the demands of them.
My first thought was that after you skim off the "personal dislikes" between posters and look at the meat of the issue you can learn from all sides who throw in their 2 cents on this topic. Over time I've noticed that economics status, geographical, political, religious, and other factors play a huge part in how we form our opinions, explain them, and back them up. Anyone who reads this thread and contributes with the sole purpose of throwing RJM under the bus is missing the importance of the message, which is.....
Many times there may be issues in our family lives that will unveil some deep personal preferences and opinions that are not shared by all, but bits and pieces may be thought fodder for all.
We should learn that not everyone thinks the same way and that it's ok to take your journey down a different road, but, be prepared to hear the other side. In this case not only do I feel the pain for the RJM family but I also understand from experience how the initial "slap in the face" after an injury can cause a line of reasoning that only a family can defend.
I wonder sometimes how I would have been perceived on this site as a parent for my decision for dropping my HS son off at the airport alone when he made his official visits around the Country. My bet is that I would have been cut up as chum and thrown back in for the rest of the predator fish to chew on.
btw- Not to perch myself on a throne because I been the bait, the "chummer", and the predator within HSBBW threads many times.
Many times there may be issues in our family lives that will unveil some deep personal preferences and opinions that are not shared by all, but bits and pieces may be thought fodder for all.
We should learn that not everyone thinks the same way and that it's ok to take your journey down a different road, but, be prepared to hear the other side. In this case not only do I feel the pain for the RJM family but I also understand from experience how the initial "slap in the face" after an injury can cause a line of reasoning that only a family can defend.
I wonder sometimes how I would have been perceived on this site as a parent for my decision for dropping my HS son off at the airport alone when he made his official visits around the Country. My bet is that I would have been cut up as chum and thrown back in for the rest of the predator fish to chew on.
btw- Not to perch myself on a throne because I been the bait, the "chummer", and the predator within HSBBW threads many times.
quote:Originally posted by ClevelandDad:quote:Originally posted by jemaz:
Way too many judgements in this thread. Nobody should "go away" and certainly there have been no shots at other players and, the fact is, lots of people have similar views about junior colleges when it comes to the educational aspect. It's life and nothing that I would find offensive.
jemaz - you are a respected member here but I respectfully disagree with your take here. I've gotten a half-dozen pm's the past several days and people are offended and that is why I finally said something.
Here's why:
Here's an RJM "shot" at other players and families in case you missed it:quote:There are plenty of weak baseball programs I'm sure he could walk on. If he wanted to pound his chest he played D1, get an inferior education and get pounded every game he could go to Coppin State.
Who the he-ll is he to say something like that? We likely have a member whose son attends there. I'll speak for them and guess they were offended.
Regarding JUCO's - nobody is offended that RJM's take or your take for that matter on JUCO's is less than stellar. What offends me since I attended a JUCO for many years is that I know better. After my time at the JUCO, I was accepted into some of the top engineering schools in the country - no questions asked. My academic record at the JUCO did all the talking. I concede that some IVY's won't accept JUCO's but there are dozens of top academic schools in the northeast that will open the same high-fallutin doors.
The real "rub" here is that he has to espouse his snobbish opinions publicly. Here's the analogy: He drives a Mercedes and I drive a used but functional Volkswagon. When I pull in the driveway at night, he yells across the hedgerow "I would never be caught dead in something like that" I have no problem if he feels that way but do have a problem that he is insensitive enough to blurt it out within my earshot.
Finally, the title of the thread bothers me and is offensive imho. I didn't bring deldad into the topic. Please review his comments and maybe you'll both see why things could have been posted differently.
AGREE 100% with CD & I do feel for RJM's son. As the son, not sure what would be harder to deal with, rehabilitating the successive injuries or having to deal with such narrow minded views dictated to me by an all knowing parent.
RJM - When my son and I were at Cornell for an official visit in the fall of 2008 we met a nice young man from California that was new as a junior to the Cornell baseball team. His name is Matt Langseth and he came to Cornell from a California junior college so I know it is possible to get to the Ivy's from a Juco, probably doesn't happen often but it does happen.
Best wishes for you and your son, I hope he will keep his options open, there have been several inspirational stories of perseverance in this thread and others I have seen with my own eyes - anything is possible!
Best wishes for you and your son, I hope he will keep his options open, there have been several inspirational stories of perseverance in this thread and others I have seen with my own eyes - anything is possible!
cleveland dad, Why do so many people have to send you a pm over this subject, why not jusy post their opinions?
Are you a statemane for the people on this site?
I also have to ask how many years is many years at a juco?
thx
Are you a statemane for the people on this site?
I also have to ask how many years is many years at a juco?
thx
quote:Originally posted by 2bagger:
cleveland dad, Why do so many people have to send you a pm over this subject, why not jusy post their opinions?
Are you a statemane for the people on this site?
I also have to ask how many years is many years at a juco?
thx
Fair questions...
I am a moderator here so that is perhaps why. My opinion carries no more weight than anyone elses however some people are uncomfortable posting their feelings publicly especially when their feelings are critical of the messenger yet understandably sympathetic toward the son.
I spent five years at the JUCO. My parents did not pay for my education. I worked 60-70 hours a week to support my young family of three kids and only had so much time to attend night school. After the five years, I transferred to a public university and spent five more years getting my engineering degree all the while working full time. Even though I went the public university route which was a fine school in its own right, I was accepted into some very fine private schools as well.
I am not a statesman here for other people on the site. I care deeply about our community here however because I enjoy the comraderie. I believe this is the top baseball site in the world and hope that it remains that way.
Guess I didn't understand... What dream? Whose dream?
I can only assume the "baseball" part of the dream must be sons. Sounds like RJM's dream (for his son) revolves around academics. For sure there must have been a "dream" otherwise there was no reason to start this thread on a baseball site. I feel bad for RJM's son, he's had some bad luck. However, I've said it many times... Luck can play a very important part when it comes to baseball, maybe not as much when it comes to academics.
I can't be judgemental when it comes to parents wanting to do what is best for their kids. I don't think RJM intended to downgrade others. At the same time, I do think some of the comments seem to be coming from a looking down the nose approach.
Also can understand why some don't care for the title. I'm fairly old and still dream about doing things I will probably never accomplish. There are dreams, there are obsticles, and then there is reality. But without dreams life is just too boring.
BTW, I did have two kids that went to Junior College. Guess I would have rather had them go to Harvard or Yale, and then play professional baseball, but that would have been my dream rather than theirs. Reality and their dream placed them at a JC. Things worked out OK.
I can only assume the "baseball" part of the dream must be sons. Sounds like RJM's dream (for his son) revolves around academics. For sure there must have been a "dream" otherwise there was no reason to start this thread on a baseball site. I feel bad for RJM's son, he's had some bad luck. However, I've said it many times... Luck can play a very important part when it comes to baseball, maybe not as much when it comes to academics.
I can't be judgemental when it comes to parents wanting to do what is best for their kids. I don't think RJM intended to downgrade others. At the same time, I do think some of the comments seem to be coming from a looking down the nose approach.
Also can understand why some don't care for the title. I'm fairly old and still dream about doing things I will probably never accomplish. There are dreams, there are obsticles, and then there is reality. But without dreams life is just too boring.
BTW, I did have two kids that went to Junior College. Guess I would have rather had them go to Harvard or Yale, and then play professional baseball, but that would have been my dream rather than theirs. Reality and their dream placed them at a JC. Things worked out OK.
quote:Originally posted by 2bagger:
cleveland dad, Why do so many people have to send you a pm over this subject, why not just post their opinions?
Are you a statesman for the people on this site?
CD you have to admit that is kind of funny.
Bagger, the pm door is always open on this site for personal friendships and those who do not feel comfortable expressing themselves publicly and that can be a good thing. However, there are others use it as a tool for their own agendas.
The Army Son
Author: Unknown
The Creightons were very proud of their son, Frank. When he went to college, naturally they missed him; but he wrote and they looked forward to his letters and saw him on weekends. Then Frank was drafted into the army.
After he had been in the army about five months, he received his call to go to Vietnam. Of course, the parents' anxiety for his first letter was greater than ever before. And ever week they heard from him and were thankful for his well-being. Then one week went by without a letter ~ two weeks ~ and finally three. At the end of the third week a telegram came, saying, "We regret to inform you that you son has been missing for three weeks and is presumed to have been killed inaction while fighting for his country."
The parents were shocked and grieved. They tried to accept the situation and go on living, but it was tragically lonesome without Frank. About three weeks later, however, the phone rang. When Mrs. Creighton answered it, a voice on the other end said, "Mother, it's Frank. they found me, and I'm going to be all right. I'm in the United States and I'm coming home soon."
Mrs. Creighton was overjoyed, with tears running down her cheeks she sobbed, "Oh, that's wonderful! That's just wonderful, Frank."
There was silence for a moment, and then Frank said, "Mother I want to ask you something that is important to me. While I've been here, I've met a lot of wonderful people and I've really become close friends with some. There is one fellow I would like to bring home with me to meet you and Dad. And I would like to know if it would be all right if he could stay and live with us, because he has no place to go."
His mother assured him it would be all right.
Then Frank said, "You see, he wasn't' as lucky as some; he was injured in battle. He was hit by a blast and his face is all disfigured. He lost his leg, and his right hand is missing. So you see, he feels uneasy about how others will accept him."
Frank's mother stopped to think a minute. She began to wonder how things would work out, and what people in town would think of someone like that. She said, "Sure frank, you bring him home~ for a visit, that is. We would love to meet him and have him stay for a while; but about him staying with us permanently, well, we'll have to think about that." There was silence for a minute, and then Frank said, "Okay, Mother," and hung up.
A week went by without any word from Frank, and then a telegram arrived ~ "We regret to inform you that your son has taken his life. We would like you to come and identify the body."
Their wonderful son was gone. The horror stricken parents could only ask themselves, "Why had he done this?" When they walked into the room to identify the body of their son, they found a young man with a disfigured face, one leg missing, and his right hand gone.
Author: Unknown
The Creightons were very proud of their son, Frank. When he went to college, naturally they missed him; but he wrote and they looked forward to his letters and saw him on weekends. Then Frank was drafted into the army.
After he had been in the army about five months, he received his call to go to Vietnam. Of course, the parents' anxiety for his first letter was greater than ever before. And ever week they heard from him and were thankful for his well-being. Then one week went by without a letter ~ two weeks ~ and finally three. At the end of the third week a telegram came, saying, "We regret to inform you that you son has been missing for three weeks and is presumed to have been killed inaction while fighting for his country."
The parents were shocked and grieved. They tried to accept the situation and go on living, but it was tragically lonesome without Frank. About three weeks later, however, the phone rang. When Mrs. Creighton answered it, a voice on the other end said, "Mother, it's Frank. they found me, and I'm going to be all right. I'm in the United States and I'm coming home soon."
Mrs. Creighton was overjoyed, with tears running down her cheeks she sobbed, "Oh, that's wonderful! That's just wonderful, Frank."
There was silence for a moment, and then Frank said, "Mother I want to ask you something that is important to me. While I've been here, I've met a lot of wonderful people and I've really become close friends with some. There is one fellow I would like to bring home with me to meet you and Dad. And I would like to know if it would be all right if he could stay and live with us, because he has no place to go."
His mother assured him it would be all right.
Then Frank said, "You see, he wasn't' as lucky as some; he was injured in battle. He was hit by a blast and his face is all disfigured. He lost his leg, and his right hand is missing. So you see, he feels uneasy about how others will accept him."
Frank's mother stopped to think a minute. She began to wonder how things would work out, and what people in town would think of someone like that. She said, "Sure frank, you bring him home~ for a visit, that is. We would love to meet him and have him stay for a while; but about him staying with us permanently, well, we'll have to think about that." There was silence for a minute, and then Frank said, "Okay, Mother," and hung up.
A week went by without any word from Frank, and then a telegram arrived ~ "We regret to inform you that your son has taken his life. We would like you to come and identify the body."
Their wonderful son was gone. The horror stricken parents could only ask themselves, "Why had he done this?" When they walked into the room to identify the body of their son, they found a young man with a disfigured face, one leg missing, and his right hand gone.
Kokomojo,
Thanks for posting that story. Powerful heart breaking stuff! Absolute "must" reading!
Thanks for posting that story. Powerful heart breaking stuff! Absolute "must" reading!
I agree Sir.. Thanks Kokomojo for bringing shivers down my spine..Lesson learned.
RJM, sorry to hear that your son suffered that injury. Glad to hear the surgery went well. I really hope you guys work through it and have a happy outcome, no matter what it may be.
Best of luck to your son and hopefully he has a very speedy recovery.
Best of luck to your son and hopefully he has a very speedy recovery.
quote:The Army Son
Author: Unknown
sounds like a made up story to me.
quote:Originally posted by cball:quote:The Army Son
Author: Unknown
sounds like a made up story to me.
Does that matter if the message is a good one?
quote:Originally posted by coach2709:quote:Originally posted by cball:quote:The Army Son
Author: Unknown
sounds like a made up story to me.
Does that matter if the message is a good one?
only if you live in reality land
I live in reality and see great messages all the time in things that aren't real. Granted there are many things that aren't real that don't send good messages.
From what I have gathered from RJM's posts, "The Dream " which apprently is dead. Is not about baseball but about his sons inability to be admitted to a strong academic institution without a baseball push.
The HSBBW is littered with references to " High Academics" "Strong Academics" etc... Are these just catch phrase's for " reputation and alumni contacts". IMO, most, if not all uninversities offer rigourous programs in your chosen field, upon graduation your academic domination in a particular major, will open doors to the grad school (for the most part)of your choice. Where you will be challenged again and again. There are strong academics and there's those whom are strong academically.
RJM, Here's the rub. Negative JUCO comments combined with statements like, " Families expected academic standards" " Sacrficing academics" Inferior academic situation" other than coming off rather borish, could you please qualify these remarks. With your son not being admitted to his/your dream school without a baseball push, sounds like your more disappointed that he maybe rubbing shoulders with the masses than anything else.
The HSBBW is littered with references to " High Academics" "Strong Academics" etc... Are these just catch phrase's for " reputation and alumni contacts". IMO, most, if not all uninversities offer rigourous programs in your chosen field, upon graduation your academic domination in a particular major, will open doors to the grad school (for the most part)of your choice. Where you will be challenged again and again. There are strong academics and there's those whom are strong academically.
RJM, Here's the rub. Negative JUCO comments combined with statements like, " Families expected academic standards" " Sacrficing academics" Inferior academic situation" other than coming off rather borish, could you please qualify these remarks. With your son not being admitted to his/your dream school without a baseball push, sounds like your more disappointed that he maybe rubbing shoulders with the masses than anything else.
quote:Originally posted by cball:quote:Originally posted by coach2709:quote:Originally posted by cball:quote:The Army Son
Author: Unknown
sounds like a made up story to me.
Does that matter if the message is a good one?
only if you live in reality land
I live in reality land - had a brother who took his life in 1995 - my parents walked into his room and found him with a plastic bag over his head with a rubber band around his neck. The Army Son story touched me favorably.
My son lives in reality land also, but his favorite quotation he has posted on his facebook page is from a fictional movie - Rocky:
"The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place... and I don´t care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently, if you let it. You, me or nobody, is gonna hit as hard as life. But ain't about how hard you hit... It's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward... how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That´s how winning is done. Now, if you know what you worth, go out and get what you worth. But you gotta be willing to take the hits. And not pointing fingers saying: You ain´t what you wanna be because of him or her or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain´t you! You´re better than that!" (Rocky Balboa)
here's another good one
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son!"
The audience was stilled by the question. The father continued, "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped enters the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."
Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"
Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give his much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and a few boys nodded approval, why not? So he took matters into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him to bat in the ninth inning." Shay struggled over to the team's bench, put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but were still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball softly towards Shay. As it came in, Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Cathching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way, Shay!" When Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of home and the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home!"
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the her who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!"
"In this world we har of how cruel man is to his fellow man, but that day on a baseball field proved to me that there is beauty still to be found in the hearts of mankind."
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question: "When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet, my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son!"
The audience was stilled by the question. The father continued, "I believe that when a child like Shay, physically and mentally handicapped enters the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."
Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"
Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give his much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play, not expecting much. The boy looked around for guidance and a few boys nodded approval, why not? So he took matters into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him to bat in the ninth inning." Shay struggled over to the team's bench, put on a team shirt with a broad smile and his father had a small tear in his eye and warmth in his heart. The boys saw the father's joy at his son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but were still behind by three. In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat. At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball. However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing the other team putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball softly towards Shay. As it came in, Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay. Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over, but the pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game. Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the head of the first baseman, out of reach of all team mates. Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!" Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled. Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!" Cathching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to second base. By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball, the smallest guy on their team, who had a chance to be the hero for his team for the first time. He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and he too intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head. Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home. All were screaming, "Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way, Shay!" When Shay reached third base, the opposing shortstop ran to help him and turned him in the direction of home and the boys from both teams and those watching were on their feet screaming, "Shay, run home!"
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the her who hit the "grand slam" and won the game for his team.
"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world. Shay didn't make it to another summer and died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making his father so happy and coming home and seeing his mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!"
"In this world we har of how cruel man is to his fellow man, but that day on a baseball field proved to me that there is beauty still to be found in the hearts of mankind."
quote:What is most offensive is it probably didn't occur to you what deldad posted in this thread about dreams "dying."
CD, DelDad's post hit me hard. Glad you brought it up. It needed to be mentioned.
Perspective.
(and as a JUCO parent, I have not been offended by RJM... I fully admit my that my son would consider himself a ballplayer first and a college student second... You have to know who you are.)
I didn't want to pile on to RJM's misery. I feel bad for his son. Perspective is all I was shooting for. I have a very different one and I hate pushing it out there every time I post. There are people's shoes I don't want to walk in. RJM just love him. In six months, we will talk, I bet the world looks a lot different then. One day at a time.
Here is a devotional prayer that Bear Bryant carried in his wallet that I have fallen in love with:
This is the beginning of a new day,
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is very important.
Because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.
Leaving something in its place I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, not loss – good not evil.
Success, not failure in order that
I shall not forget the price I paid for it.
Here is a devotional prayer that Bear Bryant carried in his wallet that I have fallen in love with:
This is the beginning of a new day,
God has given me this day to use as I will.
I can waste it or use it for good.
What I do today is very important.
Because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.
When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever.
Leaving something in its place I have traded for it.
I want it to be gain, not loss – good not evil.
Success, not failure in order that
I shall not forget the price I paid for it.
CD:
I understand every one of your points. I also have had my differences with RJM. I just did not find anything offensive in what he said. I also think at least some of the criticism is pure piling on because of who RJM happens to be. Since I cannot see into the mind of anyone else, I could definitely be wrong about that.
Also, the fact is, I would send my own son to a JUCO if that were the best path. And, if he took that path, I would encourage him to do his best and stand proud when he finished and not worry a bit about what RJM or anyone else, for that matter, thinks about it -- other than to help him celebrate his success.
But it does not change the broad perception of JUCOs. I have a great friend from high school who is now a doctor in Lynchburg, Va. He went his first two years to Central Virginia Community College because of finances. He is proof of the kind of success that can emanate from a JUCO. Nonetheless, it also is true that most JUCO students are not even close to that level. And it is also true that Longwood College is not James Madison and Virginia Tech is not the University of Virginia. As a VT grad, that also does not bother me at all because I am plenty proud of VT despite what someone from Virginia or North Carolina or Yale or Haverford might think.
As for the title, I don't take it the way you do and I don't think it had anything to do with anyone but him and his son.
All that said, I very much appreciate your response to my comment.
I understand every one of your points. I also have had my differences with RJM. I just did not find anything offensive in what he said. I also think at least some of the criticism is pure piling on because of who RJM happens to be. Since I cannot see into the mind of anyone else, I could definitely be wrong about that.
Also, the fact is, I would send my own son to a JUCO if that were the best path. And, if he took that path, I would encourage him to do his best and stand proud when he finished and not worry a bit about what RJM or anyone else, for that matter, thinks about it -- other than to help him celebrate his success.
But it does not change the broad perception of JUCOs. I have a great friend from high school who is now a doctor in Lynchburg, Va. He went his first two years to Central Virginia Community College because of finances. He is proof of the kind of success that can emanate from a JUCO. Nonetheless, it also is true that most JUCO students are not even close to that level. And it is also true that Longwood College is not James Madison and Virginia Tech is not the University of Virginia. As a VT grad, that also does not bother me at all because I am plenty proud of VT despite what someone from Virginia or North Carolina or Yale or Haverford might think.
As for the title, I don't take it the way you do and I don't think it had anything to do with anyone but him and his son.
All that said, I very much appreciate your response to my comment.
cball I'm glad you posted that because I love that story and I don't care if it's true or not. It's a story that shows people doing good things and we need more of it.
Now since you're obviously not a fan of these type of stories tell me the difference in the one you just posted and this link.
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=991712
Maybe it's just me but I don't see a difference in them other than one's made up and the other is true. Both show that people can be kind and inspired to do good things for those who need it.
Now since you're obviously not a fan of these type of stories tell me the difference in the one you just posted and this link.
http://highschool.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=991712
Maybe it's just me but I don't see a difference in them other than one's made up and the other is true. Both show that people can be kind and inspired to do good things for those who need it.
Whether all these stories are true or just made up, I can't get enough of them.
Many good points to ponder have been brought up in this thread. Going back from whence we started, RJM, again, my best wishes go with your son as he chases his dreams in life ... towards whatever and to wherever they may lead him.
As I have read through the thread, I keep being reminded of an insightful exchange in he closing scene of Charlie Wilsons War:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbsx_vZTcNI
What does the future hold for all of the young men chasing their baseball dreams today? We'll see.
As I have read through the thread, I keep being reminded of an insightful exchange in he closing scene of Charlie Wilsons War:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbsx_vZTcNI
What does the future hold for all of the young men chasing their baseball dreams today? We'll see.
Backstop-17 the first time I saw Rocky I had chills and the hair on the back of my neck was standing up. That movie inspired me and still does today. And that quote from the movie is simply awesome. Everyone gets knocked down. Everyone. What do you do when you get knocked down? There is nothing more inspiring to me than to see someone get knocked down get up and fight back. You never lose when you refuse to quit. You never lose when you refuse to stop fighting. Finish what you start and never give up.
The most important thing is the will to finish.
The most important thing is the will to finish.