Tigers Minor League Baseball Blog

(A little Toby Keith reference for all you country fans out there)
Call it a miracle, call it a fluke, call it hard work paid off, but however you wish to call it, I know that I am going to the Florida State League All Star Game. All joking aside, this is the first All Star team I have made since I was 12. Or for those of you keeping track at home; the first one since my dad coached me, so none of my critics out there have that against me this time around. To be honest, I am extremely excited to be a representative in the game and am looking forward to a great experience. I am not alone though, Thad Weber, a fellow right handed pitcher will be going as well and I should mention that he was the first member of our team selected to go. The All Star game has always been viewed in two different lights, especially at the major league level. There are those who take pride in being voted in and there are those who find it a hassle and would rather have the days off. Never have I thought about what it would feel like to actually be there, mainly because I always had the days off. I don’t think many guys take the field each day thinking “gosh, I hope I put together an All Star worthy performance today.” Well at least I don’t. The only thing that you can do is to go out and do what it is you are capable of and let the rest fall as it may. I was talking to my dad a while back and he mentioned something that I never really thought if but has been a staple in my life ever since I was little. I have managed to find myself in situations where I was never really the frontrunner, the top recruit, or a prospect, but the one thing I have been able to do (which I have never really tried to do, it just happened out of me doing what I know how to do) was make the most of my opportunities. As an athlete, there is something that stirs up whenever you are pushed, or your back is against the wall. Whenever the odds aren’t in your favor, that is when real competitors show up. Now I am not saying that when I pitch I am like a vicious animal because anyone who has seen me play knows I am the polar opposite of that. But something, and I cannot explain what, fuels me to get over the hump. I am looking forward to showing my stuff out there with the best of the best and also to come back after the break and keep up what got me there in the first place.