Buster Olney on C.C. Sabathia's Attitude

Some thoughts passed along by Buster Olney on the Attitude of C.C. Sabathia:

C.C. Sabathia would breakdown & cry on the mound in grade school. His mom would stand outside the dugout & point whenever he would do that, & tell him to go home.

He was a sophomore in H.S. 6’8 250 lbs. The best at every sport. His mother keeps him out of basketball because he got a C in Spanish.

He gets traded to play for the Brewers & he wants to pitch on 3 days rest, because his team is in the playoff hunt. His agent calls Management & pleads for him not to pitch. C.C. calls agent & says “NEVER DO THAT AGAIN. Now let me take you to dinner.”

Coach Meyer 9/25/85 Rules On Winning

Taken from Richard Taylor’s notebook, In Buster Olney’s Book, “How Lucky You Can Be”

1. Work hard
2. Stick together
3. Have the right mental attitude.
4. Be positive; don’t criticize, look to compliment.
5. Improve every day, especially as a person.
6. “How badly do I want it?”
7. Know that no one can beat you; you beat yourself. Morale is what motivates the best to get better. As you think, so you shall be. A spirit of devotion and enthusiasm for the team and purpose…Until you find a purpose higher than winning, you will never win.

What Stops Players From Improving

Buster Olney from ESPN was recently asked, "Is intelligence what stops players?" Olney replied, "No. It's getting past failure. Great hitters get past an 0/4 night."