Dreams Do Come True
My destiny takes an extraordinary leap when the Boston Red Sox draft me, forever transforming the course of my life.
As a young Dodger fan in the 1980s, I had a routine for every game: arrive in the third inning, leave before the seventh, and listen to Vin Scully on the radio. With my mom and friend, I savored nachos and a chocolate malt, imagining my future success in the game. The crack of the bat, freshly cut grass, and electric crowd fueled my unwavering desire to play Major League Baseball. Against All Odds, my desire to play Major League Baseball blazed within me, never wavering or faltering. Autographs, batting practice, and baseball cards were insignificant as I remained focused in my pursuit of achieving my aspirations.
Harnessing the power of imagination, I know the mind can't discern between reality and fantasy, and so I take every measure to manifest my future self. After a day at the ball park, I returned home and sank into bed, allowing the vivid images etched in my mind to permeate my being. Incessantly, I replayed the scenario, envisioning myself on ESPN, the ground shaking from the deafening roars of forty thousand fans. A voice would boom over the loudspeakers, calling out, "Now batting, number 29 Sheaaaaa Hillenbrandddd." These visions compel me to push myself further, igniting the flames of passion within.
While attending my very first spring training as a professional baseball player, during batting practice, the minor league coordinator caught my attention, startling me as I instinctively thought I had done something wrong. My past experiences of being kicked off of prior baseball teams due to self-doubt reared their ugly head. But instead, the director offered words of encouragement, speaking to my talent and potential to make millions of dollars in the Big Leagues. Not fully grasping the significance of the moment, I simply asked how to achieve success, ready to follow any direction that would lead me to my dream.
With unwavering determination, I mastered the system and worked tirelessly, becoming Player of the Year on three of five Minor League teams over five years. My lifelong dream came true as I took the field as Boston Red Sox's starting third baseman on Opening Day 2001, bringing tears to my eyes during the national anthem in Camden Yards. Despite achieving this monumental feat, my heart still yearned for my father's approval, leaving me with a sense of inner turmoil.
I've spent seven grueling years in Major League Baseball, but hard work and perseverance have led me to unparalleled success. I've earned two MLB All-Star selections and made millions of dollars. But what's more valuable is the countless unforgettable moments I've experienced. Each memory is a unique once-in-a-lifetime experience that can never be duplicated, making these past years unforgettable.
With pain resonating within my being, I was driven to play the game - the Pain Driven Game. The constant agony numbed me to everything around me, a feeling I never thought I could endure. But then, a decision, the biggest of my life: "I QUIT!!!" I walked away from Major League Baseball, leaving behind my childhood dream and the potential to earn $50 million.