In 2009, Mamaroneck High School won its second straight New York State Baseball Championship and Taylor Mondshein was a ConEd athlete of the week as the team's second baseman. Today, despite coming of a freshman year at Williams College in which he hit .388, he's realistic about his prospects of making the majors. "I don't think I have the skills to continue playing beyond college," he says. But coming to grips with the primary lesson baseball teaches will have him set up just fine when graduation arrives in a few years.
"It's a game of failure," he says, and
Still, looking back on the double play he helped turn to seal the first of two titles is something he never has to relinquish. "It was an unbelievable moment," he says, "and a dream for the team."
Of course, making the pivot or turning on a fastball for a walk-off win requires focus. You have to learn how to keep your composure and do your best to not the let the pressure get to you, he says.
He admits it's a lot easier said than done, but strong leadership, he believes, puts teammates in the best position to succeed under pressure. You can't be selfish, you can't get down on each other and confidence will emerge from being supportive, he says.
Otherwise, all the lessons learned move pretty seamlessly into real life for him. Playing baseball in my life has given me skills that translate into numerous other areas, he says.
Given the strong academic expectations at Williams, he puts it to good use in managing the books and the baseball. "When I have any free time," he says, "I'm using that time productively." And you can put that in the books.
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