How it started

The date was August 21, 1989. Out comes an 11lb 11oz baby boy. He is instantly born into a diehard Philadelphia Phillies family. That child is me.

It all started with my grandfather and great uncle. Both of the two played professional baseball for minor league programs. I think it's safe to say that I caught that baseball gene because ever since I can remember I have always loved the game of baseball; I love learning it, playing it, talking about it, and watching it. I was a very young child when I came to love the Phillies. My father used to take me to games at Veterans Stadium. Seeing those giants out there in Phillies uniforms instantly got me hooked. I couldnt wait to get out there one day and start playing. Eventually I started to play for a team at the age of seven. I was advanced for my age, so I always played with the older kids up until I got to high school. High school is where I really gained a love for the game. I made varsity as a freshman and earned a spot in the pitching rotation. After being successful, i started to gain the respect of my coaches and new teammates. It wasnt until my sophomore year, however, where I really started to make a splash. I earned All-Catholic and All-City honors as a starting pitcher. Once I read the newspaper articles being written about me, I really had to sit and think what I wanted to do with my life. Sure, I would absolutely love to go professional, but it is nearly impossible to make it to the big leagues in baseball. I did not want to skip college then not succeed in the next level of  play and have nothing to fall back on. It was that summer where I made the decision for myself to not involve myself in competitive leagues where I could be challenged, and to focus on my academics. To this day I still wonder what could have happened, but due to my size, I am quite sure I made the correct decision. Although I chose not to chase my dream of going pro, I still have a deep love for the game that will never go away. I love baseball and I love the Phillies. I really feel like I have a deep analysis for the game. That is why I felt the need to make my blog about the team that I have always loved: The Philadelphia Phillies.