Bryan Lahair

[Jake Patterson]

Over the years I've often talked about the very, very few that I've seen make it... Bryan is from our Little League program.
He is one of the very, very few...

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=20483755&topic_id=&c_id=chc&v=3&tcid=fb_video_20483755

[clayadams]

I can only imagine the amount of joy you must feel at having a small part in his life.

I come from the motorcycle racing world and I've had direct involvement with a few kids that have made it, one now rides for Yamaha. Every time I see his name in a press release or see him on TV, it brings out a lot of awesome feelings!

[The Uncoach]

Fantastic! As a Cubs fan I've been anxious to see what he could do since it was announced that he was a part of the team's roster.

[Jake Patterson]

I can only imagine the amount of joy you must feel at having a small part in his life.

I come from the motorcycle racing world and I've had direct involvement with a few kids that have made it, one now rides for Yamaha. Every time I see his name in a press release or see him on TV, it brings out a lot of awesome feelings!

Clay he did not play for me... He and my son played All-Stars together, his dad coached against me - great guy. His son had abnormal talent and .... he kept it all in perspective. None of the foolishness we see today with many. His other son played for the Worcester Tornadoes (Indy League).

[real green]

A kid in LL with abnormal talent in LL turns into a MLB player, imagine that??? Out of the 1000's of kids you saw move through the system I bet he stood out at a young age. Yet we can't project???

[Cannonball]

Jake, that is neat. I'm betting your son thinks it is neat as well.

[DerekD]

Clay he did not play for me... He and my son played All-Stars together, his dad coached against me - great guy.

I think this makes you qualified to put out a DVD.

[dominik]

A kid in LL with abnormal talent in LL turns into a MLB player, imagine that??? Out of the 1000's of kids you saw move through the system I bet he stood out at a young age. Yet we can't project???

still he had to wait till he was nearly 30 to get there. You can see talent of course and a good coach can say with confidence this kid is going to be good. But the mlb is so tough that a lot of really good players don't make it. So we can project if he becomes a good player but not if he has mlb quality.

So it's always a great story that coaches should enjoy and not take for granted.

[Megunticook]

That's great to see. 10 years in the minor leagues--that's some serious perseverance. There's a local guy here who's a pitcher, 30 years old, just got released for the second time by an MLB organization. Don't think he's ever thrown a pitch in the show yet, must be so tough.

Would be great if Bryan would come back and do a little clinic with some LL kids in your town. What an inspiration for setting goals and working your butt off to achieve them.

Seems like MLB players have to go through so much before they get to play in the bigs (with a few exceptions)--I can't think of another major sport where the apprenticeship is so long and tough. Heard an interview with Doug Glanville recently, who was saying that while there are some egomaniacs, especially among the superstars, the majority of baseball players are relatively humble because of what it took to get there, and how fierce the competition is.

[BamaYankee]

Really cool! Lessons on perserverance here!

[Jake Patterson]

Jake, that is neat. I'm betting your son thinks it is neat as well.

Yes ... especially when he sees Bryan's paycheck!

He, like all the MLB'ers had the talent, dedication, hard work, good training, and luck planets all in a line... but it took him a number of years. We'll see how he does.

[Jake Patterson]

A kid in LL with abnormal talent in LL turns into a MLB player, imagine that??? Out of the 1000's of kids you saw move through the system I bet he stood out at a young age. Yet we can't project???

Green, he was way ahead of the pubescent curve.... He's the only one I saw - and yes I saw thousands - where as a youngster that there was little doubt...

On the other hand I saw many who did make it (to college and low level pro) who were below average at a young age and developed later. Pre-pubescent talent has never been a reliable indicator of future success.

Keep in mind... Of all the youth ball, school ball, HS, clinics, lessons, team visits, etc., etc., I was involved with - he was the only one in which I had little doubt.

[dominik]

Yes ... especially when he sees Bryan's paycheck!

He, like all the MLB'ers had the talent, dedication, hard work, good training, and luck planets all in a line... but it took him a number of years. We'll see how he does.

he already hit a HR.

[songtitle]

Green, he was way ahead of the pubescent curve.... He's the only one I saw - and yes I saw thousands - where as a youngster that there was little doubt...

A good candidate for the 6U National tournament!

[Roothog66]

I was asked last year by board members of our local league if I had any fundraising ideas. They know I had been president of a Little League (and then switch over to Cal Ripken). I simply told them how we did it in Benton, Arkansas. Produce a Cy Young winner and let him donate a large wad of cash. Easier said than done. Clif Lee doesn't come around every day.