Photos by Rick Ogata, story by Miranda Ogata/Special to Hawaii247.com
Big Island sports fans got a rare treat Sunday, Jan. 18, and it had nothing to do with the NFL conference winners Cardinals or Steelers.
Shane Victorino, a Maui native and member of the 2008 World Series Champion Philadelphia Phillies, stopped by the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel to sign autographs and have his photo snapped with a long line of patient fans.
Victorino also talked to the UH-Hilo Vulcan baseball team and its supporters about the dedication and perserverance required to acheive his goal of becoming a Major League player, as well as his World Series experiences.
Victorino touched on many aspects of his routine that can be applied to other areas of life, including getting up at 6 a.m. to train and do his workouts before heading to the baseball field. These qualities are critical to success in any endeavor, he said, not just baseball.
His father, Mike, also addressed the crowd of dinner guests, giving a parent’s view of the struggles Shane went through to reach his goals. He noted the best thing parents, coaches and fans can do is support players and their teams, for without that support in the bad times and the good, players have a difficult time to become the best they can be.
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