Listen, kids, not everyone is a winner

Harrison is a man who understands just how difficult it is to win at life. And he knows that not every kid — no matter how hard he tries — will turn out to be the next LeBron.

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All this trophy chasing is dangerous for athletes, said former Major League pitcher John Smoltz, who had wise words for parents when he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame recently. Smoltz, the first pitcher in the Hall of Fame to have returned from Tommy John surgery, warned parents not to push young athletes too hard early on.

“I want to encourage the families and parents that are out there that this is not normal to have a surgery at 14 and 15 years old. That you have time, that baseball is not a year-round sport. That you have an opportunity to be athletic and play other sports. Don’t let the institutions that are out there running before you guaranteeing scholarship dollars and signing bonuses [tell you] that this is the way….”

Explore the game, Smoltz said, have fun. In other words don’t just focus on chasing trophies or you’ll miss out on best parts of the game. Lose a little and enjoy the ride.

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