HOUSTON -- Manager Brad Mills, outfielder Jason Bourgeois, starting pitcher Bud Norris, first-base coach Bobby Meacham, TV analyst Jim Deshaies and former Astros standouts Jimmy Wynn and Bob Watson participated in a "Careers in Baseball" panel discussion Monday afternoon at Carver High School in Houston.
The event was part of the 2012 Astros CAREavan.
High-school students listened in the auditorium as the group of Astros personnel talked about their backgrounds and the lifelong qualities it takes to get to the next level and achieve success.
The panel emphasized the importance of staying in school, getting an education and pursuing dreams -- no matter how challenging.
Several of the participating Astros told the Carver High School students that while growing up, many people laughed at them when they stated their desire to be a Major League Baseball player one day.
However, they pushed forward, stayed focused and are living their dreams as a Major League Baseball player, manager or coach.
The participating members of the Astros' panel were thrilled to be able to sit in front of a large group of high-school students and send a positive message that could make a difference in young lives.
"I am glad to be able to chip in," Meacham said. "These high-school kids are looking forward to life after school. We're able to come here and give them some ideas. Hopefully, they can not only look ahead to a career in sports, but something far beyond anything they may know about. We're trying to pass along knowledge."
Bourgeois, a Houston native, strives to make a difference in young lives and always enjoys being a positive role model in the community.
"I try to give kids a sense about their futures, especially at the high-school age," Bourgeois said. "I made up my mind in high school that I was going to play professional baseball. So, here I am today. It's fun to pass along knowledge and send a good message."
The following is what the panel told the students:
Brad Mills:
"Growing up, I was raised in an athletic family. My dad and two older brothers loved baseball and all sports. I knew at a very young age that I wanted to be involved in baseball and be a professional baseball player. One thing that really motivated me was when people would chuckle or laugh and say, 'Yeah right. Everybody wants to do that.' It served as motivation for me.
"It took a lot of work, but whatever you do, it takes a lot of work if you want to be successful. I decided to go to a junior college in California and was drafted. I decided not to sign and went to the University of Arizona. I played there for two years, and then went into professional baseball. After eight years in pro baseball, I was injured to the extent to where I couldn't play. I wanted to stay in the game. I became a minor league manager.
"That started everything for the next 11 to 12 years of doing those things and moving up through the system. It motivated me to do what I wanted to do. As I look back on those types of things, I always tell people that if they have a dream, don't let somebody tell you it's not possible. You can achieve what you want.
"It's your dream."
Jason Bourgeois:
"I went to Forest Brook High School here in Houston. The high school isn't even in existence anymore. It's been turned into a middle school. I was drafted in 2000 by Texas. I've played for six organizations. Back in 2008, I got my first call-up with the White Sox.
"From there, I was with Milwaukee. I have been with Houston since. When I was in the ninth grade, I heard a few chuckles when I said I wanted to be a Major League Baseball player. I worked hard at it. I set my goals at becoming a professional athlete and getting my grades. It worked out for me. I got here to the big leagues. It took me a while, but my goal setting got me here.
"I try to give back every chance I get. My mom always said it's better to give than to receive. I want to expand and become a businessman after my playing days. I want baseball to be my first career.
"After that, I want to start something else."
Bud Norris:
"I'm from California and grew up near San Francisco. I went to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. It's an academic-minded school. I played baseball there for three years and was drafted by the Astros in 2006. I was very determined to give baseball a shot. In 2009, I got called up by the Astros and haven't gone back to the minors since. I'm progressively getting better. The one thing I can say is that I was never the best. You have to climb the ladder in life and take it one step at a time. You determine what your short-term and long-term goals are. You try to get better each day.
"You guys have the opportunity to do whatever you want. You have to go out and do it one step at a time and one day at a time."
Bobby Meacham:
"I started my professional career by going to college at San Diego State University. I started playing in the minor leagues for the St. Louis Cardinals. Then, I got traded to the New York Yankees. It was a five-year big league career for me with the Yankees. I moved into a coaching career after that. I did not think I would coach very long, but I'm now in my 22nd season of coaching. I really hope that you guys can figure out in a few years what you want to do in your careers. I've really enjoyed mine.
"I was a business finance major at San Diego State. I learned in high school from my parents that they wanted me to go to college and get an education, in case I didn't reach my dream of playing baseball. I would have something strong to fall back on.
"People used to laugh at me when I said I would play in the big leagues. I was smart, got my education and reached my dream."
Jim Deshaies:
"I'm now a television guy for the Houston Astros. I think that it's important to have big dreams. I also think it's important to have a 'plan B.' Sometimes, those big dreams don't pan out. Whether it is a career in athletics, or as a doctor or lawyer, you must go for it. Don't let people tell you it's not possible. I had a dream of being a baseball player. I pursued it, worked hard and pitched in the big leagues. There may be reasons why a person doesn't make it, whether it's due to injuries or extenuating circumstances. If you don't have a "plan B,' in life, you could really fall into hard times. That has always been my philosophy.
"It's real important to work hard in school. I did so, just in case baseball didn't work out. I have been able to turn my baseball career into a broadcasting career. As a starting pitcher, you pitch just once every five days. I had four days to hang out in the dugout. I used to annoy my teammates by doing play-by-play in the dugout. I've been doing broadcasting since 1997. It's push hard, be ambitious, dream big and don't think that you are too big for any job or any role. Sometimes, you have to get your foot in the door and just work your way up from the bottom.
"There are so many careers and opportunities."
Jimmy Wynn:
"I've worked for the Astros organization for about four or five years now. I wear different hats for the organization. When I was growing up in Cincinnati, I always wanted to be a baseball player. My father was a ballplayer. He taught me just about everything. If you have a dream, dream that dream. My dream was I got to become a Major League Baseball player. There were a lot of things I had to do. First, I listened to my parents. Second, I stayed in school. Third, listen to your teachers and understand what they are trying to tell you. When I played, I was 5-foot-9 and 165 pounds. I'm very small. Back home, all the kids used to tell me that I would never make it. I had that dream.
"That dream was to become a Major League Baseball player. You can do anything and everything, if you put your mind to it. You can become a doctor, lawyer or school teacher. Don't let anybody tell you anything different. Be what you want to be.
"Live that dream."
Bob Watson:
"I was a player for 19 years in the big leagues. I was fortunate enough to have been a coach, GM and the dean of discipline for Major League Baseball. Baseball has been very good to me. I've had the chance to live a number of dreams. One of the things everybody wants to do is play in the World Series. I've done that as a coach, a player and as a GM. I won a gold medal as the GM of the 2000 Summer Olympic team. I earned another medal for the 2008 Olympics. We got the bronze. I've got two World Cups. I've been a winner, and I've been a loser. I played with the Astros back in the day when we weren't very good.
"The bottom line is I got to live my dream. If you don't have a dream or goal, you'll never reach it. You have to pursue your education, especially nowadays. There are all kinds of things out there. Choose something you love to do, so it doesn't feel like a job.
"Never give up and never stop dreaming."
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