It's All In the Preparation

His dream to play major league baseball began at the age of 6.  He knew his perfect destiny at a young age.  Growing up in a household where baseball was the topic of conversation and focus 90% of the time was, well, let's just say it was not the norm.

When I share stories about this laser like focus, most people just don't get it.  Some people share their opinions about raising a child to play just one sport...and breathe it, eat it, sleep it...not all of those opinions are positive, but everyone is entitled to share what they think I suppose.  I have learned to respect the view point of others and have used this skill to understand how humans process.  Very enlightening to realize just how much energy people expend on external factors that have nothing to do with their own lives.  Makes me wonder just how successful we, as a population, have the potential to be if we focused on ourselves rather than our surrounding environment and/or circumstances.

My brother had a pretty solid career as a catcher at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  He played in two College World Series championships in Omaha, NE - an opportunity few young kids get to experience during their short lived baseball career.  He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 17th round of the 2007 MLB Draft after his Junior year of college and went on to play in their farm system.  He played Rookie all the way up to Triple A ball with the Braves.

In April of 2010, he was released.

Devastation.
Shock.
Lost.

Where do I go now?  He was quickly picked up by an Independent team in Texas where he went on to play for two seasons and did very well.

Present Day.  On March 2, 2012 he received a call late in the evening from a representative of the Anaheim Angels - now called the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim I believe.  They asked him to report to Spring Training in Pheonix, Arizona the next day - he'd be flying out at 2:35PM from RDU.  He hurriedly packed his bags, called all of his catching and hitting lesson clients and excitedly began his newest endeavor - a second chance at achieving a lifelong dream.

Here's the beautiful thing.  Since coming home in late July  of last year (that's 7 months ago for the mathematically challenged) from playing at the Independent level, my brother has been preparing his body, mind and soul just like any other major or minor leaguer getting ready to report to Spring Training Camp.  Who would think that, after being released two seasons ago from the MLB system, barely able to get on an Independent team, he would be called to report to an MLB Spring Training.  Especially after being told time and time again by their agent that it just wasn't going to happen.

Amazing opportunities are presented to those who PREPARE themselves to receive and take advantage of those opportunities.  We attract what we think and what we believe.  My brother continued to verbalize and believe that an opportunity would present itself for him to play Major League Baseball - little did he know when or how.

Why did a major league team even have him on their radar?  They didn't.  He broke through his comfort zone and fear, picked up the phone and called every single player development representative for each MLB team.  All it took was one interested team.  When I heard the news, I wondered how many thousands of baseball players were sitting at home wishing the phone would ring.  How many thought to put themselves out there?

Divine Intervention at it's best.  Preparation at it's best.  This is Finding Favor if I've ever heard it.

Never.
Say.
Never.

Your Turn...Leave a comment about a time when you've prepared for an opportunity not knowing when or if the window would ever open.