Being tough reminds me of a story that Dave emphatically shared with the Saline baseball team. It all started when he felt that the team needed to become more mentally tough when the competition intensified during practices and in the games. He always told his players that they had to practice at game speed if they were ever going to compete in the games at the ultimate level. So, he met with the squad with three bags full of candy and told them a story…which will be abbreviated in this blog.

The first bag of candy that Dave brought out contained Hershey’s Kisses. As he walked back and forth throughout the dugout, he handed each player one Hershey’ Kiss. He asked the players to open the candy and hang on to each piece for a second before they ate it. The chocolate began to melt in the players’ hands before it entered their mouths. Dave equated this candy to the players who melt when the pressure is put on. He gave plenty of examples of situations when players shy away from tough situations. It’s easy to play when the pressure is minimal. It’s tough to play when the heat is turned up and then players begin to melt.

The second bag of candy contained M&Ms. Dave handed players a Halloween-size bag and asked them to eat them. As they were stuffing them in their mouths, he compared that type of candy to the player who is tough on the outside but soft on the inside. He used examples like the pitcher who attends the big local baseball showcase in the summer and hits 92 on the radar. Scouts and college coaches rave about the velocity. They may even place that pitcher high on their recruiting list or their draft board. The following spring, that same pitcher throws a bullpen that is electrifying. However, as he takes the mound the next day against the No. 3 team in the state, his 92 MPH fastball starts to lose steam as pitch after pitch misses the strike zone. He walks the first three hitters who he faces on 10 pitches and is removed from the game. Tough on the outside and soft on the inside.

The third bag of candy contained Jolly Ranchers. As Dave moved throughout the dugout, he handed each player the candy that is hard as rock on the outside but tough to break down on the inside. As the players found out, the Jolly Rancher took forever to crack. Dave explained that the Jolly Rancher-type of player practices at game speed. He takes his same approach to the field the next day for his first game. He relishes the tough situation. He can’t wait for the heat to be turned up. That hitter peeks down into the opponents’ pen before the game and becomes excited to realize that the pitcher coming to the mound is really that No. 1 recruit from Oregon State. In his first at bat in the game, the hitter drives an 0-2 pitch in the left-center gap for a hustle-double. He slides into second base and wipes the dirt off of his uniform. The lead-off dirtbag is tough on the outside and tougher on the inside. A true Jolly Rancher. 

Dave only has one speed – game speed. Thursday and Friday were rough days – mentally and physically – and it was understandable that his speed was similar to a tortoise. On Friday, he ventured out of bed after two rounds of chemo and walked two laps around the tenth floor. It was shaky and slow, and his nurse and I agreed that was all that he should try for one night. On Saturday, he lapped 20 times and on Sunday, he cruised 34 laps, which is over two miles. He forced himself to move, knowing he has to “walk” himself out of Karmanos again. My take – a true Jolly Rancher.

With seven rounds of chemotherapy complete in the last four days, and intrathecal chemo tomorrow, we will attack this one day at a time. We meet with our oncologist at Karmanos on Wednesday to hear what the plan will be moving forward. In the meantime, know that we feel the love and support from so many people. We thoroughly appreciate your daily prayers and sincere concern.