We know both of these guys very well. In addition to their obvious great talent, they are two absolutely outstanding young men. I am so very happy for both.
I suppose UNC is a little bummed out though!
Posts: 4991 | Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Registered: December 27, 2002
There was an interplay in a thread last January, in which Midlo Dad made a comment which is now entirely appropos.
Quoting from that thread, first a post by TMM_Dad: "I don't like to brag too much, but at age 8 son was at a winter skills developing event at a local D-1 for all comers 8 to 18 years old. At the end, the head coach was talking to the attendees and used my son as an example in his talk. He said he could see son had the necessary quick-twitch muscles and also had the best arm of all those at the event. I was a little skeptical at the time, but never forgot his words. Son has gone on to prove the coach knew what he was talking about."
Another poster asked, perhaps skeptically, if that meant success at the travel ball level, the high school level or college. TMM_Dad replied in effect, so far, 2 out of 3.
And then Midlo Dad: "TMM_Dad, Now, now. I know your son well, and you and I both know he'll never make it at the college level!"
With today's signing, Midlo Dad's prediction has come true
This board is so much fun!
Posts: 540 | Location: Belmont, CA | Registered: April 01, 2006
Originally posted by ClevelandDad: Speaking of the Pirates - any news on Pedro Alvarez?
Yes! I heard earlier that they also signed a friend's son, Robbie Grossman. He's another great hitter. With Quinton Miller thrown in as well, this team is making great strides. They should be something to watch in a couple of years.
The Royals just added Tim's friend Eric Hosmer. WooHoo!
... and another reader's comment after the Hosmer story: This is a great day to be a Royals fan. First we sign Melville, than we hold on to beat the hated Yankees in New York. But the most important news of the day is signing a potential future superstar, Eric Hosmer. I'm optimistic about the future. Way to go Royals' front office and scouting department!
Posts: 58 | Location: Virginia and other places | Registered: July 23, 2006
Thanks to all and congratulations to Tim and Allan as well.
To be honest I don’t think it has fully registered that my son (Quinton) is now a professional ball player. I guess I will now be paying much more attention to the “Going Pro” forum. When I woke up this morning I saw a headline in our paper saying that my son was now part of the Pittsburg Pirates organization. While I am so happy for him I have to admit however after reading the first line of the article it broke my heart a little bit. The opening line was “There is an empty dorm room at the University of North Carolina with Quinton Millers name on it”. We/he were looking so forward to him having the college experience, especially at UNC. There are no finer people (not just coaches, but people) than Coach Fox and Forbes and to have to tell them he wasn’t coming to school was the hardest thing my son has ever had to do. Many have talked about the how the post high school process can be a rollercoaster ride, well that my friends, is an UNDERSTATEMENT!
Our lives took a totally different direction in less than 48 hours. On Wednesday afternoon were planning on moving Q into Chapel Hill this weekend, the next thing we know my son and I are making a flight to into Pittsburg to sign a contract and then Jerseyson is off to Florida to start his professional baseball career on Friday night! As much as I thought we had prepared for all the possible scenarios, I realized very quickly that in many ways were where working without a net. I can tell you that when the decisions were coming fast and furious I found myself recalling insight and advice that I had found here on the HSBBW. Priceless!
To sum up the experience, while in Pittsburg we attended the Pirates / Reds game which feature an REO Speedwagon concert after the game. (Jerseyson didn’t really know who they were but they are certainly in my wheelhouse). When they broke into my favorite all time REO song, “Ridin’ the Storm Out”, I sat there with a big grin on my face thinking, is there any more appropriate song to cap off our incredible last 2 days? As tough as a decision it was, Jerseyson did ride the storm out (be it the first of many) and will start what I hope will be an incredible journey to fulfill his ultimate baseball goal.
Here’s to living the dream...
"Watchin my boys play baseball is another day in paradise"
Posts: 642 | Location: East Coast | Registered: August 15, 2005
Allan Dykstra, Eric Hosmer, Quinton Miller, Tim Melville, Robbie Grossman, along many other great kids not mentioned in this thread, getting involved in professional baseball. Baseball is doing a great job of finding the right people at a time when the right people playing the game is so important.
Good players are important, but not as important as good people!
Nothing we do is more rewarding than getting to know the truely good kids, following them, and seeing them succeed, whether at college or professional baseball or coaching or any other walk of life.
Posts: 4991 | Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Registered: December 27, 2002
I'm not sure whether I am happy or sad about this. On the one hand, I won't get to sit in the stands a year from now with JersyDad and watch our boys compete against each other.
On the other hand, my son won't have to try to hit these guys' pitches!
JerseyDad - wow what a change of plans! Just last week we were discussing your preparations for Quinton leaving for Chapel Hill.
When they broke into my favorite all time REO song, “Ridin’ the Storm Out”, I sat there with a big grin on my face thinking, is there any more appropriate song to cap off our incredible last 2 days?
One reason to go to college is to make a living in the future. An 18 year old would have to go to UNC for 4 years, start out making 90,000 dollars a year for their first job upon graduation, and make at least that amount for the next 10 years when they are 32 years old. At 32 years old, that would put them on the same financial footing your son is at today at 18 years old. Will he miss some experiences by not attending college? Sure. However, he will have had experiences that other kids will never have. IMHO, it was a fine decision by the young man. Enjoy the path he has chosen and all the best to him in the future!
i live in nj burlington county and was in the same bracket shawnee was in for high school ball. i remember Q being in the newspaper with a lot of scouts with thei radar guns. he must of been nervous. me and my friend dream to one day become pro ball players. we thought for sure he was going to unc but the news yesterday was a suprise. I give him the biggest good luck ever lol. also jerseydad, can u share how the process was for your son as far as pressure phone calls etc.(Hope im not asking a lot)
Thanks
Baseball+Work=Dreams
Posts: 31 | Location: nj | Registered: August 16, 2008
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