Leaving a Legacy

We’ve been talking a lot lately about what each of the pitchers want
to leave behind when they graduate from Rhodes College. It was a very different conversation with each pitcher as I have a junior, a sophomore, and a freshman on staff this year. Rather than get into what I talked to each of them about, I want to talk about leaving a legacy in general, how each of us leave a legacy for each team we play for. Whether you’re on a team for a year or ten years we all leave each team we play for eventually as our careers have to end at some point.
 
My pitchers obviously leave when they graduate. This year’s group of 13 upperclassmen are constantly telling stories of alumni on and off the field to our new freshman (who don’t feel so new anymore!). I spoke with each of my pitchers about what they want their teammates to say about them on their senior day, and what stories they want to be told to the incoming freshman after they are moving onto the next step in their lives and careers. Talking about the legacy they want to leave is great, but it led  to a much more powerful conversation with each of them.
 
My legacy changed greatly depending on which team I was on, and at what point in my career I was at. Now as a coach, I look at my legacy and want very different things than I did as a player. I want to inspire, motivate, and encourage. One of my pitchers in Pennsylvania (shout out to Zoey!) made me a graduation present that perfectly defines what I want my legacy to be.

"We all need someone who inspires us to do better than we know how."

​My next question was, “What can you do today to create your legacy?” One pitcher wanted her positivity in game situations to be part of her legacy. We talked about how she can impact the team each and every day NOW with that legacy. We often leave teams and organizations with a “Would have, could have, should have” mentality. I encourage each pitcher, no matter what age they are, to make a list of the things they want to leave behind at a program when they age out, choose a new team, or finish their career. Work to implement this “legacy” starting today. Don’t leave a program or a career with a “would have, could have, should have” mentality. Leave it all on the line and know that you gave it your all as you move onto another team, another sport, or a career.