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Staff picks & predictions
 | | 2011 World Series Preview |
Brian Justine, THBA Director
"Cardinals in 6. The Rangers will be tough at home but the Cardinals talent and experience should carry them to a title!"
Chef Jerry, Head Umpire and Caterer
"Cardinals in 5. I umpired Jason Motte's last game as a minor league catcher and first game as a minor league pitcher and have known all along he'd lead the cards to a world championship!"
Frank Torre, Head Instructor
"Rangers in 7. Should be a great series!"
"Cards in 7. Have to stick with the National League."
Andy Mook, Head Instructor
"St. Louis in 7. Even though I'm a Cubs fan. Go Motte!" |
Washington made a huge difference in the life of THBA GM Justine
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Rangers manager Ron Washington, shown here playing for the WPB Tropics, is seeking his first World Title with the Rangers. THBA GM Brian Justine, 12 years old at the time, spent the entire season as the club's bat boy. |
Prior to becoming manager of the Texas Rangers and competing for the 2011 World Series title, Ron Washington was a solid major league player. Included in his playing career is a stint with the WPB Tropics of the now defunct Senior League of Professional Baseball. Washington's Tropics club included household names like Rollie Fingers, Mickey Rivers, Dave Kingman and Dick Williams. Also a small part of that organization was THBA founder and director Brian Justine who served as bat boy during the teams inaugural season. It was there that Justine met Washington and became motivated to play the game with more class.
"Ron and Lee Lacy were extremely nice to me. While many of the other players couldn't seem to check their egos at the door, both of these guys made a huge difference in my life. Ron would ask me to throw with him down the left field line before every home game and make me feel like a part of the team even though I was a kid. He was a class act. I'll never forget how he treated people and I made up my mind that I wanted to be more like that!" explained Justine.
Washington's commitment to treating others with respect has paid off as he has his Rangers positioned to make a run at a world championship for the second consecutive season.
"Even though my heart is with the Cardinals, I always pull for great people like Ron Washington," added Justine.
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THBA founder and director Brian Justine is pictured with former Rangers standout Toby Harrah. Justine spent the entire inaugural season as the clubs bat boy, a team that featured Rangers skipper Ron Washington. |
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Motte ready for the world's stage
Former THBA instructors' success reinforces principles on which the THBA was built!
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Motte pictured here during his days with the THBA |
If you've been following MLB's 2011 postseason, you've probably taken notice of the St. Louis Cardinals fiery closer, Jason Motte. His 100 mph fastball and intense demeanor on the mound have taken the baseball world by storm. Many experts attribute much of the Cardinals late season success to Motte's ability to dominate the final frame of close ball games.
What hasn't gotten much attention, at least not yet, is Motte's journey to the big stage. As a young minor league catcher drafted out of Iona College, Motte was probably the best defensive catcher on the planet. Maybe only his current teammate, Yadier Molina, was more gifted behind the plate. Said HOF thirdbaseman, who managed against Motte in the Florida State League in 2004, "he's the best defensive catcher I've seen, couldnt't hit a lick though."
Schmidt and Motte went on to spend several hours together that offseason at Tommy Hutton's Batting & Training center trying to work on Motte's swing and mental approach. Not even one of the greatest hitters of all-time could help the rocket-armed Motte make a breakthrough at the plate.
"We all ran a hitting school together (Mike Schmidt's School of Hard Knocks) at the cages and after most classes Mike and Jason would get to work. Mike thought so highly of him as a person and defensive ballplayer, he wanted to see him succeed. I'd leave at 9:30 p.m. some nights and the two of them would still be going at it!," recalled Brian Justine, who hired Motte to manage the indoor facility and travel baseball program during offseasons from 2004-2007.
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Motte is shown here working on his swing at Tommy Hutton's Batting & Training, where he was a manager during the offseason. |
Apparantly, the Cardinals organization saw the same qualities in Motte as Schmidt did. Upon releasing him as a Catcher in 2006, the Cardinals decided to give Motte an opportunity to be on the other end of the battery. Their faith in the humble, hard-working Motte has paid huge dividends. Motte, as predicted by those who know him well, made the most of his new found life in baseball. He tore through the Cardinals minor league system and made his Major League debut in 2008, not even two full years after making the switch to the mound. To date, his numbers in the big's are: 13w and 8L, 2.92 ERA, 12sv, and a staggering 187 K's in 188 IP. Perhaps most impressive is his recent domination in the 2011 postseason. He has saved four games in 8& 1/3 IP without surrendering a run.
"Jason's success doesn't surprise anyone around here including the hundreds of kids he wroked with. Throughout his time coaching and managing for the THBA, he modeled all the qualities an athlete needs to possess in order to be successful. Aside from his natural ability, and probably more important, is that he's a dedicated hard-worker who knows how to persevere. Even during his struggles, I never heard him say anything negative about anything or anyone and most of all I enjoyed watching him make all the right choices off the field. He is genuinely a good person and I'm sure the Cardinals saw that when they decided to give him a second chance. He will be successful for a very long time because what he has accomplished belongs to him. The foundation of Jay's ongoing success is high character, hard work and intensity. He has made a lasting impact on our programs and the way we do things," explained Justine.
Good luck to Motte and his Cardinals on what promises to be a great World Series. Go get 'em old friend!
 | | Motte and Justine shown here managing a Heat Baseball game in 2005. |
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La Russa's visit has a made lasting impression on THBA students
Cardinals skipper preaches the importance of dreaming big
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Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa is pictured above with THBA camper Hunter Graue during a recent visit. |
"Hold onto your dreams," exclaimed St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa while speaking with over 100 area players during an appearance at the Tommy Hutton Baseball Academy. La Russa, in pursuit of his second World Series title as Cardinals skipper, spoke for nearly an hour and addressed a wide range of topics. La Russa arrived at Roger Dean Stadium beaming with enthusiasm and delivered an inspiring message to the youngsters on hand.
"It's very important to play the game with heart," stated La Russa when asked what he looks for when evaluating players. A graduate of Florida State University's Law School, La Russa also discussed the importance of academics and the pursuit of excellence in the classroom. The dominant theme of the morning, however, was the importance of dreaming.
"That's why you dream because sometimes dreams come true," stated La Russa as he showed off his two World Series rings to the camp. La Russa guided the Oakland A's to the 1989 World Championship and in 2006 led the Cardinals to the top of the baseball world. Although La Russa has experienced a wealth of success on the biggest stages, he still remains active in the community and in the lives of kids.
"Major League Baseball doesn't exist without the fans supporting it and the idea is to give something back to your community. Somebody just needed to ask me," La Russa commented when asked about his decision to appear and if more players should be taking an active role in the lives of kids.
La Russa has visited with THBA campers and staff on two seperate occasions, one scheduled appearance during summer camp and one impromptu meet and greet during a spring break camp. His message has made a positive impact on hundreds of local players and the entire THBA staff. Good luck to one of baseball's best managers & role models!
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