One thing every young athlete needs to understand is that your mind can only carry so much at one time.

Recently, I realized this in my own life. I had several loops open: videos I needed to edit, conversations I needed to have, and tasks I kept putting off. None of them seemed impossible on their own, but because I left them unfinished, they kept running in the background of my mind.

Once I finally closed those loops, I felt lighter.

The same thing happens to young athletes.

Sometimes, without even realizing it, you have too many “tabs” open in your life. You are thinking about practice, schoolwork, homework, your performance, your playing time, your next game, what your coach thinks, what your parents expect, and what your teammates are doing.

Some of those things are real responsibilities. Others are things you cannot fully control.

And when too many of those loops stay open, they start to weigh on you.

You may feel more tired. You may feel more stressed. You may have trouble focusing. You may even start to lose some joy for the game because your mind is constantly running in the background.

That is why it is important to learn the difference between what you can control and what you need to let go of.

You can control your effort.

You can control your attitude.

You can control how prepared you are.

You can control whether you do your homework, pack your bag, get enough rest, respond to a message, or show up ready to compete.

Those are loops you can close.

But you cannot always control the lineup. You cannot control every opinion people have about you. You cannot control whether you get a hit every game. You cannot control how fast your journey moves compared to someone else’s.

Those things should not become open tabs that drain you all day.

A young athlete grows when they learn to take care of the responsibilities in front of them and stop carrying things that were never fully in their control.

If you have schoolwork to finish, finish it.

If you need to practice, practice with purpose.

If you made a mistake, learn from it and move forward.

If you need to have a conversation with a coach, parent, or teammate, handle it with maturity.

Do not keep delaying the things you know you need to do. The longer you leave those loops open, the heavier they become.

Closing loops gives you peace. It clears your mind. It helps you focus on the next pitch, the next play, the next rep, and the next right decision.

The best athletes are not just physically prepared. They are mentally disciplined. They do not waste all their energy worrying about things they cannot control. They focus on what is in front of them, do it well, and trust the process.

So close the loops you can close.

Take care of your responsibilities.

Stop letting small unfinished tasks pile up in your mind.

And for the things you cannot control, learn to release them.

Your job is not to figure everything out at once.

Your job is to be faithful with the next step, the next practice, the next opportunity, and the next decision in front of you.

I love asking pro athletes this question:

“What do you wish you knew when you first started?”

A lot of them say something along the lines of, “I wish I had more fun,” or “I wish I didn’t put so much pressure on myself.”

That always stands out to me.

But I’ve noticed they rarely say, “I wish I didn’t work so hard,” or “I wish I didn’t spend so much time on it.”

Because even if their career didn’t go exactly how they planned, the time they put in still mattered. The work shaped them. The habits they built through sports translated into other parts of their life.

Work ethic. Teamwork. Problem-solving. Handling failure. Showing up when things aren’t easy.

Those things matter everywhere.

Recently, someone asked me a similar question:

“What is something you wish you had known when you first started your journey in baseball and media?”

When I thought about it, I’d probably say patience.

There have been a lot of things I wanted to happen that didn’t happen as quickly as I thought they would. Some goals took longer than I expected. Some opportunities didn’t come when I hoped they would. And sometimes, I wondered if they were ever going to happen at all.

But looking back, some of them did happen.

They just took longer than I thought.

That’s been one of the biggest lessons for me. Just because something isn’t happening right now doesn’t mean it never will.

I’ve had to learn how to be patient and persistent at the same time. That’s not always easy. Patience can feel like waiting around, and persistence can feel like trying to force something. But I think the balance is continuing to show up, continuing to get better, and not quitting just because the timeline looks different than you expected.

Special things have happened in my journey.

Not overnight.

Not always as quickly as I imagined.

But they have happened.

So if you’re working toward something and it feels like it’s taking longer than it should, don’t take that as a sign that it’s not going to happen.

Keep going. Keep learning. Keep showing up.

Be patient, but don’t stop being persistent.

Just because it hasn’t happened yet doesn’t mean it never will.

I’ve known Fernando Cruz since I was 13 years old, and one thing has never changed... his unwavering faith. Whether he was battling through years of independent baseball or achieving success at the Major League level, Fernando has always remained grounded, giving God the glory every step of the way. His humility, perseverance, and trust in God have inspired countless people, including me. 

That’s why it has been such an honor to publish Batboy’s Glory: Helping a Dream Come True alongside my mentor, Ray Negron. This book is more than a baseball story... it’s a testament to faith, resilience, mentorship, and the power of giving back. 

Even more meaningful, a portion of every book sold on Amazon will benefit Little League programs in the Bronx, helping provide young people with opportunities, guidance, and positive experiences through baseball. 

Our mission is simple: more bats and balls, fewer guns and knives. By investing in our youth and creating safe spaces where they can play, learn, and dream, we can help keep kids off the streets and on the field - where character is built, friendships are formed, and brighter futures begin. ⚾🙏📖 

This past week, Fernando, Ray, and I were humbled to receive proclamations from Mayor Mike Spano of Yonkers, New York, recognizing our efforts to make a positive impact on the community and the lives of young people. It was a meaningful reminder that when we combine faith, service, and a commitment to our youth, we can make a lasting difference. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported this mission. Together, we’re helping dreams come true... one child, one book, and one baseball at a time. 

If you’d like to support and purchase the new children’s book, please click here!

This week has been one I’ll never forget. 

I’m incredibly proud to officially announce the launch of Batboy Publishing, a new publishing company built around stories that inspire, teach, and remind people that dreams are possible when you combine hard work, faith, and perseverance. 

Even more exciting… Alongside a mentor and friend Ray Negron, we released our very first book together: 

Batboy’s Glory: Helping a Dream Come True

Most people think a batboy just picks up bats. 

But in Batboy’s Glory, one young batboy discovers that baseball is about so much more than the game itself. 

Billy watches, listens, and learns as he follows the journey of Fernando Cruz, a pitcher chasing his dream through hard work, setbacks, and unwavering faith. Guided by mentor Ray Negron and inspired by stories of Yankees legends who understood what it truly means to stay ready, Billy begins to understand the deeper lessons hidden inside the clubhouse and beyond the field. 

Through moments of adversity, growth, and inspiration, Billy learns powerful lessons about character, perseverance, and believing in yourself - especially when things don’t go your way. 

And when Fernando finally gets his opportunity in the major leagues, it becomes a reminder that success isn’t just about talent. It’s about preparation, faith, and how you respond when your moment finally arrives. 

Batboy’s Glory is ultimately a heartfelt story about mentorship, resilience, and the life-changing impact of believing in someone before the world does. 

This book is perfect for: 

• Young athletes 

• Students 

• Parents and grandparents 

• Coaches and mentors 

• Dreamers everywhere 

Our goal with Batboy Publishing is simple: create meaningful stories that inspire the next generation to keep working, keep believing, and trust that their moment will come. 

This is just the beginning. 

Thank you to everyone who has supported this journey so far. We can’t wait to share more stories with all of you. 

If you’d like to check out Batboy Publishing or purchase a book, visit batboypublishing.com!

Last week, New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s foundation hosted the Tunnel Fits & Kicks fundraiser event, bringing together style, community, and purpose to make a difference for kids and families.

During the event, I asked Jazz how he’s leaned into his faith through both the highs and lows of life and baseball, and what God has taught him through the work he’s doing through his foundation.

Jazz spoke honestly about the importance of staying grounded in faith no matter what season of life you’re in.

“Just to keep your faith, man. There’s gonna be hard times, there’s gonna be great times, but you can’t ever falter.”

He shared how prayer has helped guide him through personal challenges behind the scenes.

“You just gotta keep on praying and asking God to just take you through it, guide you through it every day… life is hard.”

Jazz also reflected on a difficult situation he experienced recently and how he’s relied on God through it all.

“I had something happen about a couple weeks ago that I don’t really wanna talk about in the public eye, but I had something happen and God has been taking me through it every step of the way.”

What stood out most is that Jazz understands the challenges many young people face today, and he’s using his platform to be a light for others. Through his foundation, he continues to invest back into the community in meaningful ways.

Last year, the foundation helped donate a new computer lab to a school in the Bronx, creating opportunities and resources for students who need them most.

Events like Tunnel Fits & Kicks are bigger than fashion or baseball. They’re reminders that influence can be used to encourage, uplift, and serve others.

How can we be a light in the lives of others each day?