Isaiah Page - Michigan Baseball
“I owe everything to baseball. This game has introduced me to some of my best friends, allowed me to learn from amazing coaches and so many memories that I’ll always hold close to my heart. I don’t think I’d be the person I am today without it. As my playing career has continued, more and more life lessons from baseball have become more clear to me. None more important than always being there for your teammates. At the end of the day, in baseball and in life, it’s all about the lives you’ve impacted and not the individual accomplishments.”
“My ACL tear my freshman year really tested me. When you’re defined as ‘the baseball player,’ your whole life and you lose that title to injury, it’s difficult to understand. I had plenty of nights on my knees praying and wondering “why me?” But looking back on how much I evolved as a person because of the injury, I recognize that it was something I needed to go through. My sport doesn’t define me anymore."
“I consider myself very fortunate to have been able to meet so many amazing people through baseball. Future big leaguers, future CEOs, and countless amounts of incredible human beings. It’s such a gratifying feeling traveling all over the country to Stanford, Texas Tech, and so many different schools to see old teammates across the field competing against you. It’s humbling and I’m grateful to have had this journey.”
“I want people to realize how fortunate I am to be in the position I’m in opposed to other baseball players across the world. Baseball is an expensive sport to play in general and the cost to attend showcases and college camps makes it almost impossible for kids in difficult financial situations. I’m lucky to have a coach who goes out of his way to recruit players from challenging backgrounds, but thousands are still going unnoticed or quit playing because of the financial cost.”
“If you don’t play baseball anymore, donate your equipment to an organization who will give it to a young player who needs it instead of having it collect dust in your garage. Your old glove could change someone’s life. Bo Blue.”
“I hope athletes look around at all the statements being made these last couple weeks and understand the impact they can have. We are more than athletes and our sports don’t define us. But, they do grant us the platform to where, when we have something to say, people will listen. Speak up about what you believe in. Life is too short to leave things left unsaid and live with regret. Stay safe everyone, and Rest In Peace George Floyd.”
