Randy Wolf is a 16-year MLB veteran left-handed pitcher. He had graduated from my high school seven years before I stepped on campus, and was a fan favorite player on the Philadelphia Phillies for all of my high school years.

Before he left to go to Florida for spring training every year he would come to the high school to run, long toss and face some hitters to get in shape. Somehow, I got to be the one who ran laps on the track and played long toss with him!!

I don’t remember if I volunteered or was selected, but I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. I was even so nervous playing catch with him that I launched a couple of balls over his head the first couple of times.

In 2003, he made the MLB All-Star team, and in 2004, to celebrate his accomplishment, he was the first-ever player to have his number retired at my high school. They did the ceremony for him before the annual alumni game. I remember watching and being proud just to have known him.

Nine years later, in 2012, I ended up getting three at-bats against him in the Major Leagues. And seven more years after that, in 2019, I was the third-ever player to have my number retired at the high school.

Just like with Randy, they held the ceremony before the annual alumni game. In my acceptance speech I thanked the coaches, my teammates, and my family… and then immediately looked to the current high school team and told them how I had sat right where they were now as I watched Randy receive this honor 16 years before. And then I asked them “Which one of you is going to be next?”

My hope was to inspire them. To give them a ‘reach goal’. To raise their standard of what they think can be possible in their own careers.

Because I used to be in their exact shoes. I used to sit in that exact dugout. And now I know what is possible. I hope they believe it can be possible for them too.

If you’re a young player reading this, who do you look up to? Who has done something that you too want to achieve? Can you do it even better?

And if you’re already a high achiever, how can you help teach, coach, or inspire the next generation to not only duplicate your accomplishments…but to surpass them?