To fans of America’s pastime, the name Giancarlo Stanton is much more than the occasional chatter. Currently a right fielder for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball, he has made quite the name for himself in his craft. He is a three-time All-Star (2012, 2014, 2015), a National League home run champion (2014), and a 2014 recipient of the Silver Slugger Award (given to the best offensive player at each respective position) and the Hank Aaron Award (given to the top hitter in each league). In November 2014, he signed the richest contract in sports history: a 13-year deal worth $325 million.
Prior to his professional success, Stanton enjoyed a career at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California, where he was a three-sport athlete (basketball, baseball, and football); he excelled in all three, earning collegiate offers from Tulane (baseball), UCLA (football), and UNLV (football).
Recently, Stanton went on record acknowledging that one of the best decisions he ever made was playing multiple sports in high school. While many choose the opposite and opt to hone their skills in one particular area, Stanton gave ample explanation for his choice. He said that multiple sports provide more opportunity for exposure and potential advancement.
High school is the perfect time to explore who you are not just with clubs, friends, or classes, but also in athletics. Many people don’t realize that some of the greatest athletes in history played multiple sports. Michael Jordan (basketball and baseball), LeBron James (basketball and football), Julius Peppers (football and basketball), and Deion Sanders (football and baseball) all branched into multiple venues of athletics. This is not to say that each individual was particularly great at all of them, but they did not allow their natural ability to limit them to just one sport early in their lives.
To those high school student-athletes stuck choosing between sports, here’s a suggestion: Try them all. It’s better to make a valid attempt and come up short than to never make the leap. Regret will last longer than any feeling of success you may encounter. Be the best you can be, and don’t limit yourself!
In the Game Magazine/Web Content
High School Athletics: No Limit to Greatness
By James A. Washington
