Dreams Really Do Come True

#86

Chapter 10 in Michael Lewis’ best-selling novel, Moneyball, is called “Anatomy of an Undervalued Pitcher” and that “undervalued pitcher” he writes about is former Hinds ace right-hander Chad Bradford.

He features an “autobiographical essay” that Chad wrote as a school assignment at age eight:

What I Want to Be When I Grow Up

If I were A grown up, I would be a baseball player. And I would play for the Dodgers. I hope to play for the Cardinal, too. I hope to play for the Oriole too. And for all the teams I would Play shortestop. (-2 spelling)

Chad Bradford, 8-year old

He never played for the Dodgers. He never played for the Cardinals.

He did play for the Orioles, but he didn’t play “shortestop.” (Raise your hand if you ever played for the Baltimore Orioles).

But I bet he never dreamed he would be a submarining right-handed, relief pitcher for six different major league teams over an period of 12 seasons, be featured in a national best-selling baseball novel and a popular major motion picture, almost get a chance to be an actor in the movie playing the role of Chad Bradford, the Undervalued Pitcher, play with and pitch against future hall of famers, be called “Meat” by slugger Albert Belle, have a best friend called “6-4-3”, pitch in the World Series, and earn millions of dollars while doing it all.

Anatole France

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.

Dreams really do come true. They do. Start dreaming. Keep dreaming. And then take action and make ’em happen.

Editor’s note: I never dreamed I would be mentioned in a national best-seller. Chapter 10, page 227, first paragraph (paperback version): “He (Chad) went over and talked to the coach at Hinds Community College.” (Well, almost mentioned) 🙂

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