Like a lot of athletes, I tried a variety of sports when I was
very young. As soon as I was old enough, my parents signed me up
for baseball, basketball and soccer.
Like a lot of athletes, I tried a variety of sports when I was very young. As soon as I was old enough, my parents signed me up for baseball, basketball and soccer. Eventually, I tried my hand at roller hockey, cross country and swimming. I remember the summer when I joined the Gilroy Gators, it seemed like everyone I knew was on the team that year.
Although I had fun in the sun, I quickly discovered that swimming was not a sport for me. I had the same reaction to cross country, tennis and track and field.
What I came to realize is that there are fundamental differences between individual and team sports and that different types of athletes gravitate towards each kind. I am definitely the type of person who prefers to be on a team.
I like the constant personal interaction with the other players. It’s the best part of the game. There is a complexity to the relationship between teammates that has no parallel and it only exists on the court, field or rink. It is a unique mix of trust, loyalty and camaraderie. And…when the season is over, everything changes.
Saying good-bye is something we are never prepared to do. Today, I want to pay tribute to four of my teammates – seniors who are leaving the Gilroy High School baseball program. I’ve taken the time we’ve played together for granted, thinking it would last forever. I wasn’t expecting to feel this sense of loss.
These athletes have taught me a lot about myself, as a person and as a player. For that and more, I dedicate this column to them.
Drew Andersen was the backbone of our team this year. He played solid at shortstop and pitched in crucial situations. He led our team in multi-hit games and stolen bases. Although intense and serious in the midst of competition,
Drew always lightened the load during practices. He is one of the funniest guys I know. He was always pulling us into ridiculous, pointless arguments just to pass the time. Giants vs. A’s? Coke vs. Pepsi? Blondes vs. brunettes? Drew could go on and on about nothing until he finally made it something. Practices will never be the same without him.
Chris Hernandez was the most veteran member of our squad this year. He spent three and a half seasons at the varsity level. Without him behind the plate this year, we would not have enjoyed the success we did. Chris played the role of the “enforcer”, AKA the “tough guy” on our team.
Although he likes to present himself as rough around the edges, we all know that Chris is just a lover at heart.
I have never seen someone sail through a baseball game as calmly as Josh Sterling. Sterling was one of the Mustangs’ most important table setters this year. He was a team leader in hits, runs scored and batting average. Throughout the year, he made several impressive crucial diving plays in center field. I will especially remember Josh for all the nicknames he assigned to himself. He answers to Delano Deshields, Flash Gordon, and my personal favorite, K-Rod.
Over the two years I played with Jeremy Teschera, I don’t remember a day where he was not happy. At practice, he always found a way to enjoy what he was doing and in the process, he would end up raising the team’s morale. As starting pitcher, he was the Mustang ace. He started many important games for the team, including the first-round playoff game against Archbishop Mitty.
And, he has really great hair.
I love baseball. It’s one of the greatest joys of my life and all the more so because of the people who share my passion for the game. I feel privileged to have played with Drew Anderson, Chris Hernandez, Josh Sterling and Jeremy Teschera. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors, both on and off the field. They will be missed.
