How a Childhood Project on Yogi Berra Came Full Circle

“Passion Prevails” is something I say often. When you have genuine passion, it doesn’t just inspire you - it sustains you. It gives you the strength to push through the difficult days, the discipline to keep going when the work feels heavy, and the joy to celebrate even the small wins along the way.

This past weekend, my family and I spent time cleaning out our attic. As I went through boxes filled with old assignments, projects, and memories I had saved since preschool, I was struck by how each piece told a story of who I was becoming. Then I stumbled upon a second-grade project I had done on Yogi Berra. Seeing that project brought me back instantly. Looking at it now, I find it almost unbelievable that the very first athlete I chose to write about was Yogi.

At the time, I couldn’t have known that years later I would be working at the stadium named after him. I couldn’t have imagined that I’d one day have the privilege of serving on the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center Centennial Committee. And yet, here I am in 2025, helping celebrate Yogi’s 100th birthday and preparing to attempt a world record for the largest game of catch on September 21. (If you’d like to be part of it, you can sign up at yogisbigcatch.org)

Moments like this remind me that passion has a way of guiding your steps, even when you don’t see the full picture. Baseball has always been that passion for me. It hasn’t always been easy - in fact, it’s been anything but. There have been sacrifices, setbacks, and countless challenges along the way. Passion is what helps endure it all. My passion and faith is what allows me to get up every day with a sense of purpose, no matter how difficult the path may seem.

And here’s the part that matters most: the energy and excitement you felt when you first fell in love with something - that childlike spark - is the fuel you’ll need for the long run. Without it, burnout creeps in. With it, you can keep going, keep growing, and keep chasing the dreams that once felt too big to reach.

So my encouragement to you is this: stick to what lit that fire in you at the very beginning. Don’t lose sight of the moments that made you excited in the first place. Revisit them often, just like I did when I found that old Yogi Berra project. Let them remind you of who you are and why you started.

At the end of the day, passion really does prevail. The only question is - where does your energy come from?

Thank you for checking out this edition of the Big League Perspective Newsletter! Be sure to share with a friend, teammate, or kid who may benefit! In the meantime, be sure to connect on social media @billythebatboy. 🙌