There is one story that I recall frequently from my playing career; where I go back to time and time again to constantly remind myself of how blessed and fortunate I am to be where I am in life. And, to never take that for granted. It was through the game of baseball that I met a fan, a friend, and a family who changed my life for the better; without ever realizing it.

The game of baseball will continuously test you inside the Chalk lines. But, the tests off the field are the ones that nobody prepares you for. And, as many have heard me reference the saying, “You have to step up; or you get stepped on”. The game can take you away into a world of alphas whom utilize bats, balls, and gloves, to clash through a choreographed battle of skill, intellect, and heart. As a player, one becomes so engulfed in the sport that it often blinds one from the realities of the world around us. For better; or for worse. In my case, it was my awakening to the world and realities around me for the better.

I was in Veracruz, Mexico at the time of the story back in early 2013. It was my very first time outside of the U.S. playing ball; and it was my very first taste of Mexican Professional Baseball. I was invited into the team through a family friend who had experience in the league; and knew my game from our Sunday Recreational Leagues back home. After graduating from UCI and not being drafted, I felt like I had more to prove. It was my chance to show everyone I can ball with the best. Without hesitation, I put a highlight video together, compiled all my stats, and sent it to the GM of the new team that was reforming after years of absence in the Liga Veracruzana Mexican League. Needless to say, he liked what he saw; and officially invited me for a tryout.

With determination in my legs and Witt in my arms, I was ready to show the league why they called me the Santa Ana Winds back in Irvine. I hopped on a plane and arrived to Orizaba, Veracruz; where I briefly stayed with my family friend, his wife, and his in-laws; until we could see if I made the team or not. I will forever be grateful for them taking me in lending their couch to a total stranger from thousands of miles apart. The days and nights were long; as I awaited the tryouts; and once again be able to get to back to my happy place. When the tryouts finally commenced, I immediately made an impact with my speed and quick hands. After a couple days of grinding, I officially made the team.

I remember feeling a sense of accomplishment as I put on my jersey for the Cafeteros de Cordoba. Another goal of mine was to play in Mexico and continue making my parents proud. While I knew that there was plenty more to accomplish on the field to continue being promoted, I was on the right track. I started from the get go as a lead off hitter and second basemen; quickly establishing myself as a force to be reckoned with on the plate.

Off the field, life was seemingly better as well. I went from sleeping on a couch at my friend’s in-laws house in Orizaba; to a mansion rented out solely for the players. While the beds were kid sized with the cheapest mattresses pesos could buy, it seemed like a five star Resort to me at that time. My roommates were my buddy from back home and another one of his teammates from the prior season named Luis. They were cool dudes and we got along well from the get go; but the rest of the team was a little hesitant to welcome me in. To them I was still an outsider claiming to be “Mexican”. I could speak Spanish well (Or so I thought), because I am first generation American from Mexican-born parents. Spanish is the only language used at my parents house so it was easy to communicate. However, I learned very quickly that my “Spanglish” was still susceptible to criticism; and a lot of jokes came from my errors. While mostly everyone was warming up to welcome a “pocho” to the team (what they called us Mexican-American players), the real test for acceptance came with an off the field incident that occurred early in the season.

It was a rough start to the season to say the least. Not due to talent, but due to the youth in our club. Being that we were the “new” club in the league, we were compiled of a handful of vets whom were studs in Mexican Big Leagues once upon a time; but were on their way out. There was a ton of prospects that had no Mexican Professional experience (other than their respective teams’ academy); and a couple of pochos unknown to Mexico baseball (including myself). The only Icon on our team was our coach, Salome Barojas, who played a couple of years in the Major Leagues in the States; so you can imagine he was a big deal. I recall everywhere we went to play as a visiting team, every single of of our players would get booed or name called. But when they would say, “Salome Barojas” the crowds would go wild for him. It was an awesome sight every time; and I admired the sign of respect always. His greatness, however, was not necessarily reflecting off on our team; so we were losing a lot of games. Personally, I was doing enough to establish myself as a starter and contributor to the team. I was hitting around .296 and causing havoc on the bases with my speed. Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough to make a huge difference on the scoreboards.

Off the field, the team had mutual respect for one another; but was not meshing well. After a few roster moves were made and my buddy whom had accompanied me on my journey got released, things around the players mansion were starting to become more tense. The boiling point was on a night after a rough road trip. I was sleeping in my room when a cleat was thrown through my bedroom door; shattering the glass framing around it. I was alarmed, I was furious, and I never felt more alone in an unknown world outside the baseball field. Regardless of why or how it happened, I knew that it was not the time or place to handle it. So, I harnessed my rage; and waited that long night until the following game. As our beloved coach Salome was about to embark on his pregame speech, I respectfully asked for the floor to get off my chest what I needed to. In that moment, I knew that it was my chance to earn my respect. I had to step up or I was going to continue to get stepped on; and so I called out the entire team. I told them that regardless of where we come from we all have the same goals and aspirations. But, if anyone had something personal, there was the perfect time to settle it. No one stepped up. But, after that, I did earn everyone’s respect.

In the midst of all this turmoil, there was a particular fanatic of the team whom remained loyal; even after all of the drama and losing of games. He was a man whom was blind from one eye after taking a baseball to the face as a teenager. He loved baseball and loved the Cafeteros. Even more humbling, he took a liking in the way I played the game. He said that he loved the way I carried myself always sprinting on and off the field; hitting and running the bases with high-energy. One day, he asks the GM to relay an invitation for me to join he and his family for dinner and celebrate his birthday. I was humbled and honored; so, without question, I agreed. He picked me up a short time later after the game had finished to drive over to the man’s house. In that moment, i realized that I was not in Orange County, California anymore. And, all of the problems that I thought were problems became insignificant.

The man’s house was cradled in between a couple of others. The walkway was a muddy pass and the front door was an old curtain. The Adobe made home was very small and had enough room for two beds, a cornered man-made restroom covered by a curtain, a stove, a stereo, and a dining table. While I was in shock at the living conditions, I was also consumed by a rich smell coming from the pots that had just got done cooking. The meal was exquisite and unique; as was the heart of that family that welcomed us into their home that night. I recall vividly after our meal, we talked baseball; we spoke about life and we sang. What always will stand out in my mind was watching their little girl singing her lungs out living her best life alongside her companion doll. The doll itself was made with used up pieces of corn and broken up wooden sticks. Needless to say, I gave her dad every peso I had that night so he could buy his daughter a new doll when the time was right. While it was evident that the family had very little money to their name, they expressed such joy and admiration for life. They did not care about materialistic things nor even heard of some of the big name brands. All they cared about was putting food on the table. The rest was a blessing from the Lord.

That night I cried myself to sleep. I realized that a lot of the problems that I was over-consuming myself with were not problems at all. They didn’t need the heightened significance I was giving them. I was so consumed in my personal baggage that I never opened my eyes to the world around me; and looked at life from different perspectives. In order to appreciate life and enjoy every moment, one has to step back and look at life from a different angles constantly. Try to walk miles in other peoples shoes. Once you regain your perspective on where you are in life; and where you need to be; always look into the mirror appreciate yourself. Remind yourself of all the miles you yourself have walked; the blood, sweat, tears, and endless sacrifices. Just to be able to put on a uniform and be able to do what you love everyday. The thousands that wish could be in your spot. From the things we take most for granted like being able to walk; two good eyes; to be able to play D1 baseball; and a little taste of semi-pro. When we learn to gain perspective on the world around us, then we can learn to give meaning to our lives. Once that is accomplished, we will learn to become grateful for everything we do have. For our triumphs and our tribulations. It is through that process that we continue to grow our minds, our bodies, and our souls. Happiness is self developed and self attained. It is up to us to create what happiness means to each and every one of us; and work towards building and enhancing that happiness every way you can. It does not involve money nor material things. It takes character, virtue, and above all else, self-love and appreciation for who you are.