Most Valuable Player---Daniel Foster

Too often, we confuse a most valuable player as the one that hits the most homeruns or has the most wins on the team. That he is the one that sparks the team on the field with a timely hit or catch.. While all that is true, I have a story to tell of a young man that is none of these things. He does not lead the team in hits. He does not lead the team with wins while pitching. He does not get the opportunity to drive home the winning run...but he is still the most valuable player on his team.

The young man I am talking about is just a step below, talentwise, of the players in front of him, yet he comes to each practice working his tail off to get better and to compete against the starters in front of him. He will stay after practice to hit in the cage while others are driving home to dinner. He will ask someone to hit him some extra groundballs, while his teammates are making plans for the movies. He realizes that his chances of playing may be rare, but he wants to be prepared if his coach ever needs him.

He never hangs his head about not playing, but instead is usually found to be the first off the bench to congratulate his teammate(s) for scoring a run. He doesn't sulk while on the bench, but uses that time to watch his teammates make plays that he dreams of having an opportunity to make.

He is what every coach wishes all his players were...a good teammate!

But this player goes beyond displaying good character...good talent... and unexplainable self motivation. This player has had to live and battle under the worst set of circumstances...he is losing his father. His Father has been battling Lymphoma since October. He is a very strong man and a person that has passed on his character and strength to his son. Dan Foster is my friend....a person that will never know how much I have gained and have taken in our relationship. He is the type of person that is comfortable with all walks of life. He doesn't care if you are Hugh McCall or Braves...Dan will be comfortable developing friendships with either. He is a man of great character...will never BS you....will never turn down a request. The best description I have of Dan is he is as solid as a "rock".....But what Dan's best accomplishment in life is this....he has nurtured those same qualities in his son.... A leader!!!!

So, even though Daniel Foster, South Meck, 1st B may not get the key hit or pitch the key strike out, he is certainly the most valuable player on the South Meck team because he gives that team something that all coaches dream of...he gives them character!

Even though Dan has been placed in hospice and Daniel is by his side, I can assure you that he has left his personality and character on his team....and that's what makes the kid so special.

 

I had no idea what their family was going through. I only know of them because they sent me a really nice PM earlier in the season when we were having a rough time. Who knew that what they faced was much worse than our trouble? Players like Daniel Foster are why South wins, because he isn't the only one there who gives a big "attaboy" to a teammate (right, Braves?) I am profoundly sad to hear of Dan's illness. His life has been well-lived if he has raised a son like you described. I'm still working on it. I will keep that family in my prayers and hope that I will be half as successful with my son as he's been with his.

 

I only wish that every one of the players that read this board would look at this young man as an example of what life does for us in the toughest of circumstances. Few young men ever realize what life is all about. I told my team tonight after tough loss to Jordan that the important thing about baseball is that the lessons we learn from the game go way beyond the game. This is so obvious here. I just pray God's continued belssings on this young manas he goes through the trials of watching his dad fight lymphoma. I pray God's strength to his dad and that God takes care of the family no matter what!! :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause: :applause:

 

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Dan Foster and his family. They are wonderful folks who, even during their time of need, continue to think of others and ask nothing for themselves. Braves and SouthLoop, please let us know if there is anything we can do.

 

Thanks guys for the kind postings in regard to Dan Foster and his family.

For those of you who don't know The Foster family (Dan, Lee, Emily & Daniel) from South Meck, please indulge me for a few minutes. For in some ways, your loss will be greater than those of us who knew him. You have lost the opportunity to learn from, play with, work with, and enjoy the company of a true friend.

Dan Foster…the very words convey so many things to so many people. But more than anything, he is a dad to one of our Sabre players, Daniel Foster who is a junior at South Meck this year. And…what a dad! He has loved his family, friends, co-workers, and the Sabres with the passion and the devotion that encompassed his life. He knows that he is the luckiest person in the world to have the family and friends that he has today!

In your future endeavors, please remember to try and not take anything for granted. Today, I visit my friend, Dan Foster, maybe for the last time today in the hospice section of Presbyterian Hospital. But this is not the end for Dan Foster…it is just the beginning.

Please remember the Foster family from South Meck in your thoughts and prayers at this time as they are all assembled together at this time at Presbyterian Hospital.

 

Will pray for them right now...

 

Let me say this about you, Coach Evans. I hope and pray that one day my son will have an opportunity to play for you...in many ways you share the same qualities of the man whom we are speaking....caring, loving and a teacher of life.

 

You dont have to do that, I'm just doing what others would, but I appreciate the kind thoughts.

 

May he rest in peace...........

 

I just heard that Dan passed away this morning. SouthLoop, please keep us posted on the arrangements, food for the family, etc., whatever we can do that could help out. Our prayers go out to Lee, Emily and Daniel and to all the others who are part of the Foster "extended" family at South, at On Deck and throughout the Charlotte area.