When I was asked if I would like to write a testimonial for Manny of course I said yes, but it was not as easy as I thought it would be. Once I started to write, I realized that what Manny means to me, and to my family, is not easily put into words. Manny started working with me and training me in “the hardest years”, at least this is what my parents said, that kids go through. I was always serious about what I wanted to do with my life, and Manny knew that too. Although I know that I gave him a hard time, once he got to know me, he knew when I was not giving him a 110% and boy did Manny let me know. I will never forget that, and how he handled it.
Training with Manny was real hard sometimes, especially on the days when maybe I did not feel like giving it my best effort. He taught me that it has to come from deep within to accomplish what it is that I wanted to do, and Manny has a lot to do with where I have gotten to so far today. Manny also taught me the discipline that I would need, such as taking care of my body, staying healthy, and working real hard even on days when you feel that you can’t. Most importantly though, Manny taught me that I had to respect myself for what I wanted to accomplish and respect others.
So far, I have had many opportunities and experiences in my new career. During all the years of training, I have also been able to travel while doing what I want to do with my life, and have met many different people. Last summer, I was asked to play in the Junior Olympic Baseball team representing the USA (which took place in Cuba), and that was an experience that I will never forget and how proud I was to be there. Hopefully, this is just the beginning of many other experiences like that one.
Along with this,
the day that I signed with the Atlanta Braves was a dream
come true, and I know that because of Manny’s years of
encouragement and training I am ready for anything.
Manny was, and I know will always, be there for me mentally,
spiritually and most of all as a friend.
By Daniel Elorriaga Matra