March 19, 2019
Hunter Awrey
12074 Hunter Rd.
Bath, MI 48808
Hunter Awrey
12074 Hunter Rd.
Bath, MI 48808
Dear Hunter:
Hey, it’s me your older self. I am almost 16 years old writing to you at age 10. So it’s 2013 for you. Those were the good days, it was the last school year riding the bus with Haylee and you got to be the protective brother that I am today. Keep being a good brother, that’s what I carry pride in everyday these days. Our family is very successful on the ball field, especially our sister and Taryn. I would also like to add that you need to always be the person to stick up for yourself and don’t let people walk all over you. Do not let the bullies win do you hear me? Middle school is exciting for you now. Just be prepared kid, tough years are coming. Don’t get scared, just listen to me for a minute.
At the end of this year there is going to be a terrible ice storm. That storm starts a spiral of tragic things and you need to be prepared unlike I was. Be strong, be brave, and help our family because they all are going to need it more than ever. 2014 is a terrible year. I do not want to tell you what happens but, just be strong. It’ll be your toughest year and it still is my toughest year. You must remember that things get better after a long while. Nowadays, everything is fine here. I haven’t had tragedy strike since that year and I hoping it stays that way. Don’t give up on anyone or anything in the coming year kid, all it will do is hurt you. I struggled to make it through until I talked about how I felt. Don’t be afraid to express your feeling to mom she will always be there for us and she still is to this day. Use grandma Booth as support, use the Peru’s for support, use anyone you need for support because in the end you can not make it by bottling up how you feel. Don’t be afraid to cry a little, laugh a little, or relax a little.
Keep this letter, when you need to know what to do in the coming months, read it and use it. I can not express that enough. Do not pass up opportunities to spend time with anyone in the family because life is short and you don’t want to regret it like I do. Ask mom to take you to Portland to see grandpa more and ask her to take you to great grandma and grandpa Densteadt too. Just remember it all gets better along the way and don’t give up.
Sincerely,
Hunter Awrey
Your 15 year old self
Hunter Awrey
12074 Hunter Rd.
Bath, MI 48808
Hunter Awrey
12074 Hunter Rd.
Bath, MI 48808
Dear Hunter:
Hey, it’s me your older self. I am almost 16 years old writing to you at age 10. So it’s 2013 for you. Those were the good days, it was the last school year riding the bus with Haylee and you got to be the protective brother that I am today. Keep being a good brother, that’s what I carry pride in everyday these days. Our family is very successful on the ball field, especially our sister and Taryn. I would also like to add that you need to always be the person to stick up for yourself and don’t let people walk all over you. Do not let the bullies win do you hear me? Middle school is exciting for you now. Just be prepared kid, tough years are coming. Don’t get scared, just listen to me for a minute.
At the end of this year there is going to be a terrible ice storm. That storm starts a spiral of tragic things and you need to be prepared unlike I was. Be strong, be brave, and help our family because they all are going to need it more than ever. 2014 is a terrible year. I do not want to tell you what happens but, just be strong. It’ll be your toughest year and it still is my toughest year. You must remember that things get better after a long while. Nowadays, everything is fine here. I haven’t had tragedy strike since that year and I hoping it stays that way. Don’t give up on anyone or anything in the coming year kid, all it will do is hurt you. I struggled to make it through until I talked about how I felt. Don’t be afraid to express your feeling to mom she will always be there for us and she still is to this day. Use grandma Booth as support, use the Peru’s for support, use anyone you need for support because in the end you can not make it by bottling up how you feel. Don’t be afraid to cry a little, laugh a little, or relax a little.
Keep this letter, when you need to know what to do in the coming months, read it and use it. I can not express that enough. Do not pass up opportunities to spend time with anyone in the family because life is short and you don’t want to regret it like I do. Ask mom to take you to Portland to see grandpa more and ask her to take you to great grandma and grandpa Densteadt too. Just remember it all gets better along the way and don’t give up.
Sincerely,
Hunter Awrey
Your 15 year old self
March 20, 2019
Hunter Awrey
12074 Hunter Rd
Bath, MI 48808
Hunter Awrey
83474 David Ortiz Dr
Boston, MA 02101
Dear Hunter:
Hey future me! I’m writing to you from 2019, and you are in 2043. In case you can’t remember I am a sophomore in High School. I hope you are settled and living a great life like I want to. I hope that everything is okay at your point in time. I have so many questions! Are you happy? Are you rich? How about your job? Is it something to do with baseball? Do I change my mind about what I want to be? Right now I want a job that has something to do with baseball. I have dreamed of being a statistic analyst for an MLB team. I love baseball now and I better love it in the future too or else I do not know what you could be doing.
Just remember your roots. Never forget what you have or neglect your achievements like I do now. I never give myself credit because I am too afraid of coming off as “cocky” or stuck on myself. I hope you don’t do that too. I also hope that you’re not as competitive as me. I hope you’ve learned over time how to control yourself, unlike me. I’m still a lot like uncle Scott at this point, you know a hothead at times. It all has to do with being the best at everything, and I hope you have realized that you’re not the best at everything. I want to be a better person in the future, and I hope that you have shaped yourself into that person.
Anyway, I hope you’re living your best life and having fun at the same time. Be smart too. Don’t do things before you fully think it through to the best of your ability. I am trying my best to strengthen that ability. I am still deciding my future while you are living it. I am trying my hardest to be smart with my life and I better not screw it up in the future. Remember you only live one time, that’s it so make sure you do everything you want to do (legally please).
Sincerely,
Hunter Awrey
Your 15 year-old-self
Hunter Awrey
12074 Hunter Rd
Bath, MI 48808
Hunter Awrey
83474 David Ortiz Dr
Boston, MA 02101
Dear Hunter:
Hey future me! I’m writing to you from 2019, and you are in 2043. In case you can’t remember I am a sophomore in High School. I hope you are settled and living a great life like I want to. I hope that everything is okay at your point in time. I have so many questions! Are you happy? Are you rich? How about your job? Is it something to do with baseball? Do I change my mind about what I want to be? Right now I want a job that has something to do with baseball. I have dreamed of being a statistic analyst for an MLB team. I love baseball now and I better love it in the future too or else I do not know what you could be doing.
Just remember your roots. Never forget what you have or neglect your achievements like I do now. I never give myself credit because I am too afraid of coming off as “cocky” or stuck on myself. I hope you don’t do that too. I also hope that you’re not as competitive as me. I hope you’ve learned over time how to control yourself, unlike me. I’m still a lot like uncle Scott at this point, you know a hothead at times. It all has to do with being the best at everything, and I hope you have realized that you’re not the best at everything. I want to be a better person in the future, and I hope that you have shaped yourself into that person.
Anyway, I hope you’re living your best life and having fun at the same time. Be smart too. Don’t do things before you fully think it through to the best of your ability. I am trying my best to strengthen that ability. I am still deciding my future while you are living it. I am trying my hardest to be smart with my life and I better not screw it up in the future. Remember you only live one time, that’s it so make sure you do everything you want to do (legally please).
Sincerely,
Hunter Awrey
Your 15 year-old-self
EASTER BREAKFAST
CUTLER RD BATH MI
RATING: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
We grabbed our plates and went on over to the food, snatched everything we wanted and sat down at our distant corner table. We brought our own drinks for the breakfast because all they have is water and orange juice. The food was amazing, but it didn’t look that good. The biscuits were cold and a little hard but other than that everything was good. The Peru’s had french toast, sausage patties, hash browns, biscuits, bacon, eggs, and more things to put on my food. For instance they gave us plenty of syrup and butter. The bacon was huge and outstandingly good on your taste buds. The sausage was a little risky looking, but it was actually really good. I hear that the hash browns were amazing, the eggs were good, and the french toast was OK.
The service was like a regular buffet’s service. KInd of like do it yourself and get whatever you want. Whenever we asked for anything in particular it was given to us almost immediately.
The atmosphere wasn’t good at all. It smelled, there were dirty clothes thrown everywhere, and there was a puppy running under our feet. Watch where you’re stepping in the place because you could step in who knows what’s on that floor. You won’t step in food because the dog has already picked it up ands wants more.
The price was once again waiting 1 hour into dinner for my grandma to say her known catchphrase, “Well, we better head for home. We gotta feed the horses.” It happens at every party, every get-together, and every other time we see her. We also had to watch my cousin bury his plate in food and then bury the biggest bites known to man in his mouth. It was also a good price to pay once we got to talking to my Uncle Scott about softball and baseball stories. That was at an expense too though, especially when I’ve already heard a couple of the stories a few times.
Like I said earlier it was a very dirty place to be in. It was still cleaner than normal though, at least I could get to the bathroom without crawling over the Mount Everest of clothing. The puppy leaves a lot of hair everywhere so you walk in with perfectly clean clothes and walk out literally itching for a shower. That’s why I give that Easter Breakfast 2 out of 5 stars.
CUTLER RD BATH MI
RATING: ⭐⭐☆☆☆
We grabbed our plates and went on over to the food, snatched everything we wanted and sat down at our distant corner table. We brought our own drinks for the breakfast because all they have is water and orange juice. The food was amazing, but it didn’t look that good. The biscuits were cold and a little hard but other than that everything was good. The Peru’s had french toast, sausage patties, hash browns, biscuits, bacon, eggs, and more things to put on my food. For instance they gave us plenty of syrup and butter. The bacon was huge and outstandingly good on your taste buds. The sausage was a little risky looking, but it was actually really good. I hear that the hash browns were amazing, the eggs were good, and the french toast was OK.
The service was like a regular buffet’s service. KInd of like do it yourself and get whatever you want. Whenever we asked for anything in particular it was given to us almost immediately.
The atmosphere wasn’t good at all. It smelled, there were dirty clothes thrown everywhere, and there was a puppy running under our feet. Watch where you’re stepping in the place because you could step in who knows what’s on that floor. You won’t step in food because the dog has already picked it up ands wants more.
The price was once again waiting 1 hour into dinner for my grandma to say her known catchphrase, “Well, we better head for home. We gotta feed the horses.” It happens at every party, every get-together, and every other time we see her. We also had to watch my cousin bury his plate in food and then bury the biggest bites known to man in his mouth. It was also a good price to pay once we got to talking to my Uncle Scott about softball and baseball stories. That was at an expense too though, especially when I’ve already heard a couple of the stories a few times.
Like I said earlier it was a very dirty place to be in. It was still cleaner than normal though, at least I could get to the bathroom without crawling over the Mount Everest of clothing. The puppy leaves a lot of hair everywhere so you walk in with perfectly clean clothes and walk out literally itching for a shower. That’s why I give that Easter Breakfast 2 out of 5 stars.
Swing and a deep drive heading towards the green monster in left, way back... and... gone… home run for our own Big Papi. He could smell the Fenway food in the air, hear the people in the stands cheering, see his favorite team strut their stuff on the field. All for his favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. His mom that he loved to no end had taken him the Fenway for the first time of his life. “Mom, I can’t see the field!” Blake cried to his mom with the fear of missing his dream world.
His mom replied in the calmest and the most caring way, “That’s okay buddy come here.” She grabbed him, sat him up on her lap so he could see everything. Blake always had a big smile spread from ear to ear, but hearing his mom call him buddy somehow made it bigger every time. Now, it was officially his dreamland.
Blake always loved baseball and was a quick learner on all his teams up to 11 years old when he was in fifth grade. His uncle coached him every year up to fifth grade at that point. That year after the season was over he sat at home doing his homework before playing, because that’s what mom always made him promise. Blake’s grandma would drive from her home to Blake’s everyday to get him on and off the bus, to practice, games, appointments, and anything else he needed. One day, just one day, changed that forever. He was at his great grandma’s home with his mom when she got a call. Blake grabbed the phone and brought it to his mom. “Mom it’s grandma Booth.”
“Let it ring, I’ll call her back in a minute.” The phone rang afterward and it was her again.
“Mom, she’s calling again!” His mom took the phone, Blake could almost feel the worry gleaming off of his mother’s face.
“What? No… Mom, he can’t be… ” She buckled to her knees and Blake panicked when she burst into tears. Blake could feel the see the hurt, fear, and sadness in his mother’s eyes. Blake started to cry, not even knowing what exactly he and his mom were crying about. She got off the phone and told my great grandma that I need to stay with her for a few hours while she goes to see her mom, grandma Booth, because something was terribly wrong. Before she left. Blake grabbed his mother’s hand and said, “Mom are you okay?” She sat him down in the living room. She tries to figure out how to explain something like this to her 11 year old who has never experienced anything like this before.
“Buddy, your grandpa Booth just passed away, but everything will be okay, I just need you to be a strong little boy while I’m gone. Can you do that?” For the first time, being called buddy did create a smile on his face. Just the look of a lost boy with shock in his eyes. He cried, sobbed, denied, and cried some more that night waiting for his mom to get back to comfort him during this time when he needs her most.
After Blake had experienced his first funeral of his life. Soon after, his grandma Booth couldn’t stand living in the house where she found her husband’s body. She soon moved into Blake’s home. She was welcomed with open arms into his home. After a few months of getting over the horror, his great grandma passed away in her sleep. Blake had more of a scared reaction when his grandma got the call then after she shared the news with the family. Blake had to experience another funeral just two months after his grandpa’s. Not even a month later a distant grandma passed away. Blake didn’t know life could be this way. How could it be so cruel after never experiencing anything like it in the first ten years of his life? Blake thought life was a perfect dreamland and he was hit in the face by something he didn’t even know was there.
After middle school, entering high school, he continued to excel on the baseball field. Batting almost .400 in his total middle school career and playing center field like it was his job. He still wanted it to be his job at some point in the near future. He put in the work wherever it was needed. In school, baseball, and at home. He loves to excel in everything he does. He craves to be the best at everything. Competition runs in his veins and he cannot help himself from chasing that feeling of winning. This competitive side was very helpful in the ball field, but also hurt him outside of it. Whether he was just trying to have fun or just doing anything he had to make everything a competition to make sure he is the best. He problem was that if he wasn’t the best, he would rage. Rage coursed through his veins when competition failed him. He would be far from hurting anyone but he would yell and lose a bit of his own self-control. He realized the problem when he was in about 8th grade. Blake was always a mature kid who tried to view the world and people in certain and different points of view. Before getting mad at someone or something he would always try to see the situation at different angles and act on what he saw.
In his freshman year of high school he played baseball for uncle who took the coaching job. Blake always felt very lucky to have him. Because of his uncle, Blake was able to experience 8 championship seasons in as many years. Blake’s team won Districts and lost the semifinal of Regionals in his freshman year. Blake always blamed himself for that game because he missed a costly catch on the outfield. It was a very tough play, but Blake knew for sure if he put in 110% effort he would have made the play. That cost his team a run, just one run, and that’s what they lost by. One run.
His sophomore year his team wasn’t the best, but Blake was known for being the spark of his team. They entered Districts that year with a 6 - 16 record. Blake didn’t let that stop the team or himself. Due to being the worst seed in the tournament they had to start Districts against the number 1 seed and the number 1 seed was hosting Districts. It was the Stingers at the Buccaneers. Blake was the lead-off batter for the Stingers because he carried the highest on base percentage and he was also one of the fastest. First pitch dropped in for a strike. The second was a change-up that caught him golfing for strike 2. Soon it was a 2 balls, 2 strike count and the pitch flew in to the lower inside part of the plate. He knew this was the last good pitch he would get. He drilled the ball and burnt the left fielder. Blake started the game off with a stand up double. He knew that was exactly what his team needed to get going.
The number 2 hitter on the team stepped to the plate with a confident look in his eye. Blake could feel the adrenaline building up. First pitch to the 2 hitter was a strike. Blake leads off a bit more on the second pitch that was in the dirt but blocked by the catcher. The third base coach, Blake’s uncle, clapped. That clap meant more than just a clap. That was the sign for Blake to steal third base. Blake leads off just 1 more step and took off. He could feel the wind picking up in his face, he could see third baseman positioning for a low throw. He slid on the outside part of the bag and was safe when the fielder whiffed the tag. Blake stood up and he was ready, along with his uncle. His uncle wanted to show the buccaneers that we are not intimidated. Therefore, he attempted the suicide squeeze. Our batter was looking ready to swing but we all knew what was about to happen. Blake knew he had to score or his team would lose the small amount of momentum that they had. The pitch was thrown and Blake took off. Running faster than ever before, the bunt was perfect straight out to the pitcher who wanted it a little less than the catcher. Blake slid in safe without anyone covering home. Blake was non stop cheering his team on from the 1st inning to the 7th, leading his team to a 2-1 underdog victory for the Stingers. They moved on the win Districts that year and Regionals. Losing in the first round of states.
Not long after that season, Blake received a call from Louisiana State University. He answered curiously, Blake realized what this could be about. His knees started to tremble, he could feel his nerves going crazy, he had waited for this his whole life. LSU had offered him a baseball scholarship. One of the top baseball schools in the nation wanted him. He had never felt so special in his life. He didn’t want to get his hopes up so he didn’t tell anyone outside of his family. His mom cried, “Congratulations buddy.” This put a huge smile on his face.
Continuing on to his junior year, Blake batted .395 heading into Districts that year leading his team to a 20-2 season. The Stingers blew out every team in the District and won all three of their Regional games by a decent margin. In states they traveled all the way to the championship game. Nerves were having a party and so were the players. Blake couldn’t believe that they have just one more game before they become the state champions. They knew they had a week to practice. Blake worked and worked all week to perfect his condition, and prevent errors. That week went by faster than they wanted, but they were ready to compete. Stingers vs Panthers Saturday 4:00 pm. They heard it everywhere.
Heading into the game and warming up everyone on the team looked at each other and congratulated each other how far they’ve all come that year. Blake would go on to lead off the game and get things started for them in center field. He stepped to the plate trying to show his confidence, gets into his stance, and gets ready for this master of a pitcher to try to stop him. First pitch was like slow mo, Blake’s eyes got big, he knew he was only getting one good pitch this at bat and that was the one. Blake engaged the hips, took his swing and watched the ball fly over the wall in straight away center field. The Stingers take a 1-0 lead. Innings went on and the Stingers tallied another run in the fifth. This was it, three outs away from a state championship. Bottom of the seventh 2-0 ballgame led by the Stingers. The Stingers had brought in their closer to finish off the Panthers. He struck the first batter out in a nine pitch at bat. Two outs away. Fly ball deep center field going back to the wall is Booth way up and it’s caught! Blake Booth just stole a run away from the Panthers and we are just one out away. Blake was recovering from that long sprint when the next batter stepped into the box. Ball one. Ball two. Ball three. Ball four. He walked the batter on four straight balls. That was just fine because there were two outs.
Next up to bat was their lead-off hitter. Strongest on the team batting .403. He hit the first pitch to the shortstop this should be it! Blake couldn’t believe they had done it. Until the shortstop bobbled the ball and didn’t make the out. Runners on first and second, two outs in the bottom of the seventh. The next batter walked on seven pitches. The team was officially scared. A base hit would tie the game, a double or more would lose the game for the Stingers. Strike one flew in there on the number three hitter. Then strike two. Two straight curveballs in the dirt set the count two and two. Next pitch flew in almost right down the middle Blake thought for sure this time they had it when the umpire refused to give him the heave-ho. 3-2 count bottom of the seventh bases loaded with two outs. This was the place every offense wanted to be in and every defense’s nightmare. The pitch, swing and a deep drive to center field Blake’s routine play, he just had to run a little ways to stop the light blooper. Blake was charging like a bull, Blake felt that something was wrong, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. He may have tweaked his knee a little but he did not care. All Blake cared about was catching this ball and winning his first state title. That tweak became less and less like a tweak the further he got, then… he collapsed.
The ball rolled to the center field wall and the Panthers had just won the game. Blake bawled wondering what could’ve possibly just happened to cost them that championship. The medic came out and carried him out on a stretcher.
He later received the news that his ACL had torn while he was running. Blake was living his worst nightmare just days before officially signing with LSU. The doctor came in his room in the hospital and broke the news to him. “Blake, I’m sorry to break it to you, but, you need surgery. This is a standard procedure that will put you out of sports for at least a year.” This meant no baseball for him to play his senior year. This meant he couldn’t even play outside for a year. This meant that he had hit his own version of rock bottom. He received a call about three days after the surgery telling him his scholarship was being pulled because LSU found a “better and healthier center fielder.” Blake Booth was suffering. After the news got out about the championship game, his injury, and the end of his collaboration with LSU, he was getting more and more calls.
Colleges and Universities everywhere in the nation wanting to talk to Blake. Blake ignored the calls and everyone else because he was embarrassed. Embarrassed he lost the game, embarrassed he allowed himself to get injured, and lost his scholarship to his dream school. Days after accepting what he thought was fate, he finally answered his phone to a college. This school was different though. They tried to relate to how Blake was feeling. Disappointed, sad, and lonely. Blake took their scholarship offer and ran with it. Blake added one more flag to the front porch of his home in Boston that day. He now flew the proud flag of the Division I college, Boston College. The school isn’t huge, the school isn’t really a winning school either. Blake still used that as his spark. The spark that he always was for his teams, but never for himself. Blake finished his senior year of high school graduating with a 3.986 GPA. He entered college the next year, 2022, with the goal of returning to his baseball form. Which he did, really fast. Blake’s freshman year was full of starting in center field and hitting like a professional just like before. He went on to win the college home run derby his freshman year. Beating the number one-seeded slugger Kevin Coke from LSU. That made Blake feel good beating LSU.
After his first year of college, he was talked to by many agents about entering the MLB draft. He was definitely good enough. The story of his life would be an inspiration. He joined the MLB draft feeling as if it was a dream. He entered the huge room for the draft wearing his suit and tied just hoping that he would hear his name night. He tried his hardest to ignore all the ESPN news about him being the first round draft pick. The first pick was coming. The San Diego Padres representative stepped up to the stage. Blake more nervous than ever before. The San Diego Padres Organization chooses… His heart was racing, he had that feeling that his dreams were about to come true. Blake Booth as our number one pick in the 2022 draft. Blake froze, he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He walked up to the stage and received his Padres hat and accepted his new look with a picture with the Padres representative.
After a half a year in single A he was brought up to double A. In double A he performed very well for the rest of that season. In 2024, he was slashing at the triple A level. Leading the minors in home runs and batting average. He would check his phone every night to see how his hopefully future team was doing. His triple A team had a day off on June 18th so he bought tickets to go watch his future team in his hometown of Boston. The San Diego Padres at Boston Red Sox. Blake exited the plane and stopped by his old home where his mother still lived. He knocked on the door just waiting to see his mom for the first time in a couple of months. “Who is it?”
Blake tried to change his voice, “I’m a building expector could I come check on something?” She opened the door, saw his face and she grabbed him and held him tight for a minute. Then Blake’s phone rang, It was the San Diego Padres, “Mom I have to take this call.”
“Hello” Blake wondered if he wasn’t supposed to leave San Diego. He didn’t want a bad reputation.
“Hello this is Andy Green.” Blake freaked out he knew he was in big trouble, he is about to get yelled at by the San Diego Padres manager. “I’d like to tell you to get ready” Blake got scared. What could his punishment be? Will he already have a bad reputation with the Padres manager?
“I’m sorry sir, I didn’t know-” Blake was interrupted.
“You’re making your debut tonight Blake. It’s a real good thing you came here to Boston you know? We need a last-minute guy and you’re the one. Head down to Fenway right now.”
“Are you serious? Thank you I’ll be right there.” Blake hung up the phone amazed.
“Mom I have to go. I’m playing for the Padres tonight.”
“That’s amazing, get going buddy don’t be late.” Yet again Blake’s mom put a smile on his face.
Blake left and knew he was driving into his dream. He kept saying it out loud during the ride, “I’m a San Diego Padre now.”
He finally got to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and just stared at the glory of it all. He walked down to the clubhouse, got changed into his new uniform, and met his teammates. He came out onto the field to participate in batting practice. He watched Manny Machado step in a take some swings. Then it was Blake’s turn, Manny padded him on the back and congratulated him on what he has accomplished. Blake came in a missed the first pitch, then settled in and started mashing the ball. After batting practice, he greeted the coaches and the manager. Soon it was time to do the starting lineups. “Batting first for our very own Red Sox, Mookie Betts! Batting first the visiting San Diego Padres, the rookie making his major league debut, Blake Booth!” Blake had no idea he was leading off. His nerves weren’t there though. He was ready for action. After the National Anthem Chris Sale started warming up for the Red Sox and Blake was in the on deck circle waiting for his first experience at the major league level. “Play ball” the umpire screamed.
Blake stepped into the box, got comfortable, he could hear his new teammates cheering. Chris Sale threw the first pitch in for a strike. Blake thought “here we go.” The next pitch was outside for a ball. 1-1 count in his first major league at bat, next pitch was coming. It was like slow motion just like in high school. It looked great for Blake his eyes got big.
Swing and a deep drive heading towards the green monster in left, way back... and... gone…
His mom replied in the calmest and the most caring way, “That’s okay buddy come here.” She grabbed him, sat him up on her lap so he could see everything. Blake always had a big smile spread from ear to ear, but hearing his mom call him buddy somehow made it bigger every time. Now, it was officially his dreamland.
Blake always loved baseball and was a quick learner on all his teams up to 11 years old when he was in fifth grade. His uncle coached him every year up to fifth grade at that point. That year after the season was over he sat at home doing his homework before playing, because that’s what mom always made him promise. Blake’s grandma would drive from her home to Blake’s everyday to get him on and off the bus, to practice, games, appointments, and anything else he needed. One day, just one day, changed that forever. He was at his great grandma’s home with his mom when she got a call. Blake grabbed the phone and brought it to his mom. “Mom it’s grandma Booth.”
“Let it ring, I’ll call her back in a minute.” The phone rang afterward and it was her again.
“Mom, she’s calling again!” His mom took the phone, Blake could almost feel the worry gleaming off of his mother’s face.
“What? No… Mom, he can’t be… ” She buckled to her knees and Blake panicked when she burst into tears. Blake could feel the see the hurt, fear, and sadness in his mother’s eyes. Blake started to cry, not even knowing what exactly he and his mom were crying about. She got off the phone and told my great grandma that I need to stay with her for a few hours while she goes to see her mom, grandma Booth, because something was terribly wrong. Before she left. Blake grabbed his mother’s hand and said, “Mom are you okay?” She sat him down in the living room. She tries to figure out how to explain something like this to her 11 year old who has never experienced anything like this before.
“Buddy, your grandpa Booth just passed away, but everything will be okay, I just need you to be a strong little boy while I’m gone. Can you do that?” For the first time, being called buddy did create a smile on his face. Just the look of a lost boy with shock in his eyes. He cried, sobbed, denied, and cried some more that night waiting for his mom to get back to comfort him during this time when he needs her most.
After Blake had experienced his first funeral of his life. Soon after, his grandma Booth couldn’t stand living in the house where she found her husband’s body. She soon moved into Blake’s home. She was welcomed with open arms into his home. After a few months of getting over the horror, his great grandma passed away in her sleep. Blake had more of a scared reaction when his grandma got the call then after she shared the news with the family. Blake had to experience another funeral just two months after his grandpa’s. Not even a month later a distant grandma passed away. Blake didn’t know life could be this way. How could it be so cruel after never experiencing anything like it in the first ten years of his life? Blake thought life was a perfect dreamland and he was hit in the face by something he didn’t even know was there.
After middle school, entering high school, he continued to excel on the baseball field. Batting almost .400 in his total middle school career and playing center field like it was his job. He still wanted it to be his job at some point in the near future. He put in the work wherever it was needed. In school, baseball, and at home. He loves to excel in everything he does. He craves to be the best at everything. Competition runs in his veins and he cannot help himself from chasing that feeling of winning. This competitive side was very helpful in the ball field, but also hurt him outside of it. Whether he was just trying to have fun or just doing anything he had to make everything a competition to make sure he is the best. He problem was that if he wasn’t the best, he would rage. Rage coursed through his veins when competition failed him. He would be far from hurting anyone but he would yell and lose a bit of his own self-control. He realized the problem when he was in about 8th grade. Blake was always a mature kid who tried to view the world and people in certain and different points of view. Before getting mad at someone or something he would always try to see the situation at different angles and act on what he saw.
In his freshman year of high school he played baseball for uncle who took the coaching job. Blake always felt very lucky to have him. Because of his uncle, Blake was able to experience 8 championship seasons in as many years. Blake’s team won Districts and lost the semifinal of Regionals in his freshman year. Blake always blamed himself for that game because he missed a costly catch on the outfield. It was a very tough play, but Blake knew for sure if he put in 110% effort he would have made the play. That cost his team a run, just one run, and that’s what they lost by. One run.
His sophomore year his team wasn’t the best, but Blake was known for being the spark of his team. They entered Districts that year with a 6 - 16 record. Blake didn’t let that stop the team or himself. Due to being the worst seed in the tournament they had to start Districts against the number 1 seed and the number 1 seed was hosting Districts. It was the Stingers at the Buccaneers. Blake was the lead-off batter for the Stingers because he carried the highest on base percentage and he was also one of the fastest. First pitch dropped in for a strike. The second was a change-up that caught him golfing for strike 2. Soon it was a 2 balls, 2 strike count and the pitch flew in to the lower inside part of the plate. He knew this was the last good pitch he would get. He drilled the ball and burnt the left fielder. Blake started the game off with a stand up double. He knew that was exactly what his team needed to get going.
The number 2 hitter on the team stepped to the plate with a confident look in his eye. Blake could feel the adrenaline building up. First pitch to the 2 hitter was a strike. Blake leads off a bit more on the second pitch that was in the dirt but blocked by the catcher. The third base coach, Blake’s uncle, clapped. That clap meant more than just a clap. That was the sign for Blake to steal third base. Blake leads off just 1 more step and took off. He could feel the wind picking up in his face, he could see third baseman positioning for a low throw. He slid on the outside part of the bag and was safe when the fielder whiffed the tag. Blake stood up and he was ready, along with his uncle. His uncle wanted to show the buccaneers that we are not intimidated. Therefore, he attempted the suicide squeeze. Our batter was looking ready to swing but we all knew what was about to happen. Blake knew he had to score or his team would lose the small amount of momentum that they had. The pitch was thrown and Blake took off. Running faster than ever before, the bunt was perfect straight out to the pitcher who wanted it a little less than the catcher. Blake slid in safe without anyone covering home. Blake was non stop cheering his team on from the 1st inning to the 7th, leading his team to a 2-1 underdog victory for the Stingers. They moved on the win Districts that year and Regionals. Losing in the first round of states.
Not long after that season, Blake received a call from Louisiana State University. He answered curiously, Blake realized what this could be about. His knees started to tremble, he could feel his nerves going crazy, he had waited for this his whole life. LSU had offered him a baseball scholarship. One of the top baseball schools in the nation wanted him. He had never felt so special in his life. He didn’t want to get his hopes up so he didn’t tell anyone outside of his family. His mom cried, “Congratulations buddy.” This put a huge smile on his face.
Continuing on to his junior year, Blake batted .395 heading into Districts that year leading his team to a 20-2 season. The Stingers blew out every team in the District and won all three of their Regional games by a decent margin. In states they traveled all the way to the championship game. Nerves were having a party and so were the players. Blake couldn’t believe that they have just one more game before they become the state champions. They knew they had a week to practice. Blake worked and worked all week to perfect his condition, and prevent errors. That week went by faster than they wanted, but they were ready to compete. Stingers vs Panthers Saturday 4:00 pm. They heard it everywhere.
Heading into the game and warming up everyone on the team looked at each other and congratulated each other how far they’ve all come that year. Blake would go on to lead off the game and get things started for them in center field. He stepped to the plate trying to show his confidence, gets into his stance, and gets ready for this master of a pitcher to try to stop him. First pitch was like slow mo, Blake’s eyes got big, he knew he was only getting one good pitch this at bat and that was the one. Blake engaged the hips, took his swing and watched the ball fly over the wall in straight away center field. The Stingers take a 1-0 lead. Innings went on and the Stingers tallied another run in the fifth. This was it, three outs away from a state championship. Bottom of the seventh 2-0 ballgame led by the Stingers. The Stingers had brought in their closer to finish off the Panthers. He struck the first batter out in a nine pitch at bat. Two outs away. Fly ball deep center field going back to the wall is Booth way up and it’s caught! Blake Booth just stole a run away from the Panthers and we are just one out away. Blake was recovering from that long sprint when the next batter stepped into the box. Ball one. Ball two. Ball three. Ball four. He walked the batter on four straight balls. That was just fine because there were two outs.
Next up to bat was their lead-off hitter. Strongest on the team batting .403. He hit the first pitch to the shortstop this should be it! Blake couldn’t believe they had done it. Until the shortstop bobbled the ball and didn’t make the out. Runners on first and second, two outs in the bottom of the seventh. The next batter walked on seven pitches. The team was officially scared. A base hit would tie the game, a double or more would lose the game for the Stingers. Strike one flew in there on the number three hitter. Then strike two. Two straight curveballs in the dirt set the count two and two. Next pitch flew in almost right down the middle Blake thought for sure this time they had it when the umpire refused to give him the heave-ho. 3-2 count bottom of the seventh bases loaded with two outs. This was the place every offense wanted to be in and every defense’s nightmare. The pitch, swing and a deep drive to center field Blake’s routine play, he just had to run a little ways to stop the light blooper. Blake was charging like a bull, Blake felt that something was wrong, but he couldn’t figure out what it was. He may have tweaked his knee a little but he did not care. All Blake cared about was catching this ball and winning his first state title. That tweak became less and less like a tweak the further he got, then… he collapsed.
The ball rolled to the center field wall and the Panthers had just won the game. Blake bawled wondering what could’ve possibly just happened to cost them that championship. The medic came out and carried him out on a stretcher.
He later received the news that his ACL had torn while he was running. Blake was living his worst nightmare just days before officially signing with LSU. The doctor came in his room in the hospital and broke the news to him. “Blake, I’m sorry to break it to you, but, you need surgery. This is a standard procedure that will put you out of sports for at least a year.” This meant no baseball for him to play his senior year. This meant he couldn’t even play outside for a year. This meant that he had hit his own version of rock bottom. He received a call about three days after the surgery telling him his scholarship was being pulled because LSU found a “better and healthier center fielder.” Blake Booth was suffering. After the news got out about the championship game, his injury, and the end of his collaboration with LSU, he was getting more and more calls.
Colleges and Universities everywhere in the nation wanting to talk to Blake. Blake ignored the calls and everyone else because he was embarrassed. Embarrassed he lost the game, embarrassed he allowed himself to get injured, and lost his scholarship to his dream school. Days after accepting what he thought was fate, he finally answered his phone to a college. This school was different though. They tried to relate to how Blake was feeling. Disappointed, sad, and lonely. Blake took their scholarship offer and ran with it. Blake added one more flag to the front porch of his home in Boston that day. He now flew the proud flag of the Division I college, Boston College. The school isn’t huge, the school isn’t really a winning school either. Blake still used that as his spark. The spark that he always was for his teams, but never for himself. Blake finished his senior year of high school graduating with a 3.986 GPA. He entered college the next year, 2022, with the goal of returning to his baseball form. Which he did, really fast. Blake’s freshman year was full of starting in center field and hitting like a professional just like before. He went on to win the college home run derby his freshman year. Beating the number one-seeded slugger Kevin Coke from LSU. That made Blake feel good beating LSU.
After his first year of college, he was talked to by many agents about entering the MLB draft. He was definitely good enough. The story of his life would be an inspiration. He joined the MLB draft feeling as if it was a dream. He entered the huge room for the draft wearing his suit and tied just hoping that he would hear his name night. He tried his hardest to ignore all the ESPN news about him being the first round draft pick. The first pick was coming. The San Diego Padres representative stepped up to the stage. Blake more nervous than ever before. The San Diego Padres Organization chooses… His heart was racing, he had that feeling that his dreams were about to come true. Blake Booth as our number one pick in the 2022 draft. Blake froze, he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. He walked up to the stage and received his Padres hat and accepted his new look with a picture with the Padres representative.
After a half a year in single A he was brought up to double A. In double A he performed very well for the rest of that season. In 2024, he was slashing at the triple A level. Leading the minors in home runs and batting average. He would check his phone every night to see how his hopefully future team was doing. His triple A team had a day off on June 18th so he bought tickets to go watch his future team in his hometown of Boston. The San Diego Padres at Boston Red Sox. Blake exited the plane and stopped by his old home where his mother still lived. He knocked on the door just waiting to see his mom for the first time in a couple of months. “Who is it?”
Blake tried to change his voice, “I’m a building expector could I come check on something?” She opened the door, saw his face and she grabbed him and held him tight for a minute. Then Blake’s phone rang, It was the San Diego Padres, “Mom I have to take this call.”
“Hello” Blake wondered if he wasn’t supposed to leave San Diego. He didn’t want a bad reputation.
“Hello this is Andy Green.” Blake freaked out he knew he was in big trouble, he is about to get yelled at by the San Diego Padres manager. “I’d like to tell you to get ready” Blake got scared. What could his punishment be? Will he already have a bad reputation with the Padres manager?
“I’m sorry sir, I didn’t know-” Blake was interrupted.
“You’re making your debut tonight Blake. It’s a real good thing you came here to Boston you know? We need a last-minute guy and you’re the one. Head down to Fenway right now.”
“Are you serious? Thank you I’ll be right there.” Blake hung up the phone amazed.
“Mom I have to go. I’m playing for the Padres tonight.”
“That’s amazing, get going buddy don’t be late.” Yet again Blake’s mom put a smile on his face.
Blake left and knew he was driving into his dream. He kept saying it out loud during the ride, “I’m a San Diego Padre now.”
He finally got to Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox and just stared at the glory of it all. He walked down to the clubhouse, got changed into his new uniform, and met his teammates. He came out onto the field to participate in batting practice. He watched Manny Machado step in a take some swings. Then it was Blake’s turn, Manny padded him on the back and congratulated him on what he has accomplished. Blake came in a missed the first pitch, then settled in and started mashing the ball. After batting practice, he greeted the coaches and the manager. Soon it was time to do the starting lineups. “Batting first for our very own Red Sox, Mookie Betts! Batting first the visiting San Diego Padres, the rookie making his major league debut, Blake Booth!” Blake had no idea he was leading off. His nerves weren’t there though. He was ready for action. After the National Anthem Chris Sale started warming up for the Red Sox and Blake was in the on deck circle waiting for his first experience at the major league level. “Play ball” the umpire screamed.
Blake stepped into the box, got comfortable, he could hear his new teammates cheering. Chris Sale threw the first pitch in for a strike. Blake thought “here we go.” The next pitch was outside for a ball. 1-1 count in his first major league at bat, next pitch was coming. It was like slow motion just like in high school. It looked great for Blake his eyes got big.
Swing and a deep drive heading towards the green monster in left, way back... and... gone…