One was a 10 year old boy. One was a professional athlete. Baseball was the common denominator that allowed their paths to unexpectedly intersect last winter. The result is something special.
Willem Rathgeber is a boy who loves baseball. A student at Homer Brink Elementary School, in the summer Willem is a Maine-Endwell baseball All-Star. Looking to improve his performance on the diamond, Willem, who was 10 years old at the time, signed up to receive hitting instruction last winter at The Edge, a baseball training facility located in Vestal, New York.
T.J. Rivera is a man who loves baseball. A professional baseball player in the New York Met minor league system, T.J. had completed a successful summer playing Class-A baseball for the Mets. A pure contact hitter, Rivera was drawing some attention in baseball circles for his batting prowess. Dedicated to improving his game, as part of his winter off-season training program, Rivera scheduled a baseball workout regimen at The Edge, the same baseball training facility where Willem worked out in Vestal.
It was at The Edge where Willem and T.J.‘s paths first crossed, two baseball players looking to put in the work, looking to put in the time that comes with improving their baseball games.
It’s a funny thing about baseball and baseball players. From 5 to 105 years of age, those who love and play the game share a common bond. People bitten by the baseball bug speak a common language and relish the chance to swap stories and share what they know about the grand old game.
As he worked out at the edge, T.J. took note of the ‘little man’ working hard to improve his game. A social guy by nature, it wasn’t long before Rivera introduced himself to Willem and offered the baseball novice some batting tips. And, it wasn’t long before a friendship built around baseball took root.
“T.J. was incredible with Willen, the young lad’s Mom told me at a recent Binghamton Met game. “He’s a great guy and was so patient and encouraging helping Willem with his batting. We just loved him.”
They seem to linger forever but winters eventually fade away in Binghamton. The snows melt, at some point the daffodils pop out of the ground, and its time to toss the baseball around in the yard outside. Willem and T.J.’s lives, both still centered on baseball, took divergent routes. T.J. was off to Florida to jump start another professional baseball season, and Willem readied for another campaign in the Maine-Endwell youth baseball program.
But, Willem and T.J’s paths would cross again. T.J.’s season at Class-A Port St. Lucie got off with a bang with the St. Lucie Met putting up flashy offensive numbers. By mid-season, T.J. had earned a promotion and was asked to take his game to the Double-A Binghamton Mets.
One of the features of the B-Met baseball campaign is a youth baseball camp. B-Met skipper Pedro Lopez runs the camp, and his B-Met players help man the instructional stations.
During the summers, NYSEG Stadium becomes a home away from home for Willem. He and his parents catch B-Mets games whenever they can. And, Willem signed up to attend the B-Met Youth Baseball Camp.
Working as an instructor at the camp, it didn’t take long for T.J. to spot Willem. T.J. took Willem under his wing encouraging his protege to become an infielder and sharing some of the infield basics with his eager baseball student.
“T.J. plays shortstop and second base, so he taught me the basics,” Willem remembered when speaking about his time at the B-Met baseball camp. “He showed me that you have to take some baby steps before you’re trying to do the fancy stuff.”
And, Rivera emphasized to Willem the fact that if he wants to be a baseball player he has to put in the time. He has to play more. Willem got the message. “T.J. plays second base and he got here. I’m going to play second base and play and train and practice as much as I possibly can, so I can get here, too.”
When Rivera took the field at NYSEG Stadium this summer he had vocal and passionate support from the Rathgebers. They call him ‘Bronx’ and shout their encouragement loud and proud. T.J. didn’t disappoint the Rathgebers or any fans who follow B-Met baseball. The B-Met infielder, who played second base, shortstop and third base as situations dictated down the homestretch of this summer’s campaign, was a batting sensation in Binghamton. Rivera finished has regular season B-Met campaign leading the team in hitting, batting .358.
I met the Rathgebers at the first B-Met post season game against Portland during the opening series of the playoffs. Willem and his Mom and Dad sat in the row directly behind me, and it was obvious who was their favorite B-Met.
T.J. didn’t disappoint. The B-Met second sacker ripped four hits in that opener, including two doubles and a two-out, three run, ninth inning, walk off home run. None of that was lost on Willem. “I felt very proud watching T.J. for what he did tonight because he’s my teacher, and I had a very good baseball teacher that just hit that home run.”
Charles Barkley once said professional athletes are not role models. I understand the point Barkley was trying to make. According to the basketball great, it’s a child’s parents, their teachers, their coaches, their community leaders, the people inside their personal circles, who need to be their real role models. It would be hard to argue that point.
But, sitting in the stands and seeing Willem Rathgeber’s eyes light up when T.J. Rivera approaches the batter’s box and steps up to the plate, it would be hard to minimize the positive impact a professional athlete can have on a young person.
Chase your dream, Willem.
And, continue to make yourself available to the young folks who are eager to learn our wonderful game, T.J. You’re one of the good guys.
