I love this quote from Kumar Rocker of the Rangers. The Mets did not sign him after drafting him in 2021, worried about his shoulder. The Rangers then took him in 2022, and he is in camp, shoulder fixed, and throwing in the high 90s.

Rocker, very poised off the mound as well as on, said he learned the ropes of a pro athlete from his dad, Tracy Rocker, the former college great and NFL defensive lineman and coach. While he said he will try to be more “mindful” about not pushing himself, he also said he only knows one way.

“I grew up with the philosophy you don’t get off the field until you have a bone sticking out,” Rocker said. “That’s how I grew up and that’s how I’m going to continue to play.”

NYPost.com

That’s the attitude one wants in a major league player. It’s also why coaches are needed to keep that competitiveness from causing a serious injury.