As summer was winding down, one thing was clear: it was time for the FORD All-Stars to take the field. That was the dream—for every player from the Reserve Phils, Garyville Pirates, and LaPlace A’s. If you played Dixie Youth in St. John Parish, this was the pinnacle. And thanks to Coach Gary Anderson, we got to see it for ourselves.

He brought us to watch one of the FORD All-Star tournament games. It was more than just a trip—it was a spark. Watching guys like Randy Brown at shortstop, Leroy “Poppa” Williams holding down third, Lil John Vampran at first, Donald “Suga Bear” Ceasar catching, and Andrew Taylor at second—man, they were cold. But I’ll never forget how shocked I was when someone let a ground ball slip right through their legs. With all that talent, they still didn’t make it to the World Series. And at just 10 years old, after only one season with the Dodgers, I remember the conversation me and my boys had:

“We will do it better.”

Our second season, we weren’t playing around. We had grown. We understood more about the game—and each other. I was making a name for myself quietly: stealing bases, dropping bunts, and turning heads. Coach Gary kept pouring into me, but I was still learning how to deal with pressure, attitude, and expectations.

That year also held one of the most surprising moments of my life.

We were playing the Reserve Phils, and I was fired up—we had a real shot at beating them, but we ended up losing the game. It was very close and I was so upset that I was crying after the game.  Out of the blue, a woman selling hotdogs called out to me:

“Boy, come and get this hot dog. I’m your Auntie Sissy. Your dad is my brother.”

What?! Then she called Terrek over to introduce us—and I found out this dude I admired, one of the best players in St. John Parish, was my cousin! He was so good that he was playing with the 10-12s and the 13-14s at just 8 or 9. Shortstop, third base, pitcher—he was elite. And he could hit.

Another name that stood out to me was Calvin “Flip Flop” Lee from Garyville. Quiet. Cool. Humble. But that bat and that arm? Different. Powerful. Just like Terreke, he was young, but the talent was unmistakable.

Playing against guys like that made us better. During that season, We opened eyes. We earned respect. I think we may have won the championship that year. Either way, I had a feeling that all my work paid off. Because I was told I had made the FORD All-Star Team.

But then…

It was a rainy night when Mr. CJ Watkins and Mr. Lewis knocked on our door. My mom answered, and they talked privately. When they left, she sat me down on the sofa and said:

“They came to tell me you were selected for the All-Star Team. But your birth certificate wasn’t turned in on time. So… you can’t play.”

I broke down in tears.

“Why does this always happen to me?” I cried.

And then my mother—a woman of faith—looked at me and said something I will never forget:

> “I can’t speak about your friends. But the Lord told me to tell you… you’ve been chosen. Predestined. Preordained to face heartbreaks, setbacks, stumbling blocks, roadblocks, and adversity. But as long as you stay faithful to the Word, stay humble, and make the right choices—you will overcome. You will accomplish your goals. You’ll overachieve the expectations of others and help lead those who walk the same road you’ve walked.”

Those words shaped me. They still shape me.

That year, all my boys made the team—Dusty, Armond, Romell, Terrek—but I didn’t. Not because I wasn’t good enough… but because my paperwork didn’t make it in.

Still, that moment lit a new fire in me.

—

Episode 8: “Chip on My Shoulder” is next.

I was 12. The Dodgers were ready. I had something to prove. All the speeches, the nicknames, the conversations from Coach Gary and the other parents started to make sense. I wasn’t just playing for fun anymore—I was playing for something bigger.

Stay tuned.