Ben Sheets was absolutely the best pitcher in Brewers history.I followed his career from the start.But I knew Ben when he was eleven years old and my father was coaching him.I was eighteen at the time and playing in the eighteen year old league.I helped my dad out with coaching duties cause my brother played on the team as well.Ben seemed a bit small for his age then and he wasn't a great hitter so he didn't start all the time.But he was a hustler and very enthusiastic. He was not a pitcher on the team, But he wanted to pitch. So I took him behind the dugout and had him throw and he did well. I talked my dad into putting him in when they had a big lead and he struck out three in a row. That season ended and a few years down the road he hits a growth spurt and was mowing them down in high school, and then college, and then with the Brewers.Ill never forget Ben as that little small enthusiastic eleven year old kid that just wanted pitch.Now I'm fifty two years old and he's a retired major league pitcher.It goes to show how hard work and being enthusiastic about something can definitely pay off..
