Great story about Jonathan Moroney in today's Eagle. Think the story is blocked until tomorrow for subcribers, here's the jist. Actual story much longer...
Time seemed to be running out on Jonathan Moroney as the senior outfielder watched another Texas A&M victory from the dugout. Moroney had about 30 at-bats at the time, and the trend of getting fewer and fewer plate appearances that began his freshman season didn't appear to be changing.
So with family and friends settling in outside one of the RVs in the Blue Bell Stadium parking lot, conversation led to a late-night impromptu batting practice with his mother Kathleen and father Ryan in A&M's indoor cages...
In between the laughs and his parents taking a few hacks, Moroney, as he has countless times in his four years at A&M, worked seriously on his trade. Dad put the baseballs in the machine. Mom took video. Son swung away.
With no coaches to correct flaws, Jonathan just swung away like he had as a little kid in the family's backyard...
The 6-foot-3 Houston native started as A&M's designated hitter in the last regular-season series and went 3 for 4 against Ole Miss. "They told me before that series I'd be playing on that Thursday night game, and I had that whole night to think about it and get ready,"...
Moroney did that, then did it again the next night when he went 2 for 4 with a home run that he celebrated with his parents by pointing to them in the stands after rounding third base.
"I was sobbing," said Kathleen, who along with Ryan has attended every weekend series this season but one (at Florida). "I'm not going to act like I shed a few tears. I was sobbing. It was very special."
Kathleen had missed the weekday game in which Moroney bashed his first homer of the season, a grand slam in a 7-3 win over Texas-Arlington. She and her husband didn't miss the shot against the Rebels.
"It was amazing," Ryan said. "I didn't know he was going to point at me, and when he did my heart almost exploded."
..."He's always been a good teammate, and he's always been prepared, and we always tell our guys to do that, but it's easier said than done," A&M head coach Rob Childress said "Jonathan to be prepared, to get an opportunity to make the most of it when it matters the most, says a lot about his character."...
..."He's been the guy out on the first step of the dugout with the bubble machine and is really happy for his teammates' success," senior outfielder J.B. Moss said. "So for him to get his opportunity and make the most of it and get some bubbles for himself has been pretty special and pretty awesome to watch."
When asked about how the fairy-tale was continuing, Moroney said he didn't see it that way. And truth be told it is a story more of perseverance.
..."He's a perfect example for all those other players out there that are thinking they don't ever get the chance," Ryan said. "Just keep working hard, just stay the course."
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Time seemed to be running out on Jonathan Moroney as the senior outfielder watched another Texas A&M victory from the dugout. Moroney had about 30 at-bats at the time, and the trend of getting fewer and fewer plate appearances that began his freshman season didn't appear to be changing.
So with family and friends settling in outside one of the RVs in the Blue Bell Stadium parking lot, conversation led to a late-night impromptu batting practice with his mother Kathleen and father Ryan in A&M's indoor cages...
In between the laughs and his parents taking a few hacks, Moroney, as he has countless times in his four years at A&M, worked seriously on his trade. Dad put the baseballs in the machine. Mom took video. Son swung away.
With no coaches to correct flaws, Jonathan just swung away like he had as a little kid in the family's backyard...
The 6-foot-3 Houston native started as A&M's designated hitter in the last regular-season series and went 3 for 4 against Ole Miss. "They told me before that series I'd be playing on that Thursday night game, and I had that whole night to think about it and get ready,"...
Moroney did that, then did it again the next night when he went 2 for 4 with a home run that he celebrated with his parents by pointing to them in the stands after rounding third base.
"I was sobbing," said Kathleen, who along with Ryan has attended every weekend series this season but one (at Florida). "I'm not going to act like I shed a few tears. I was sobbing. It was very special."
Kathleen had missed the weekday game in which Moroney bashed his first homer of the season, a grand slam in a 7-3 win over Texas-Arlington. She and her husband didn't miss the shot against the Rebels.
"It was amazing," Ryan said. "I didn't know he was going to point at me, and when he did my heart almost exploded."
..."He's always been a good teammate, and he's always been prepared, and we always tell our guys to do that, but it's easier said than done," A&M head coach Rob Childress said "Jonathan to be prepared, to get an opportunity to make the most of it when it matters the most, says a lot about his character."...
..."He's been the guy out on the first step of the dugout with the bubble machine and is really happy for his teammates' success," senior outfielder J.B. Moss said. "So for him to get his opportunity and make the most of it and get some bubbles for himself has been pretty special and pretty awesome to watch."
When asked about how the fairy-tale was continuing, Moroney said he didn't see it that way. And truth be told it is a story more of perseverance.
..."He's a perfect example for all those other players out there that are thinking they don't ever get the chance," Ryan said. "Just keep working hard, just stay the course."
ENTIRE ARTICLE
Great story!!