Losing is never easy, and after spending years watching sports we can all agree there are some people that handle being on the wrong end of a scoreboard better than others. We’ll go ahead and put Sam Houston State baseball coach Matt Deggs in the group of those who seem to handle it as well as anyone possibly could.
After getting drubbed 19-0 by Florida State in the NCAA Tournament with a chance to play in the College World Series on the line, Deggs showed nothing but true class in putting things into perspective for his entire program. He shared the story of how his players came up to him and asked for their last at-bats to be given to teammates just so they could get the experience of playing in the tournament.
https://twitter.com/BearkatVid/status/874114867946549248
You can feel the pain Deggs is experiencing in the moments after losing the way Sam Houston did, with so much riding on the outcome, but you also get a strong sense that Deggs knows there are more important things in life than winning and losing.It’s comforting to know a man with that kind of perspective is there to lend that kind of wisdom on his players.
I’d venture to guess those players came up to Deggs to offer up their final at-bats to teammates because of the leadership Deggs is showing in the program. It’s contagious when the right mindset is instilling the right frame of mind and team approach.
If every coach could handle losing and having a season come to an end in this fashion, the entire sports world would be a better place.
[ESPN]
