As the 2026 season got underway, I worked with my teammates about finding small ways to do just a little bit more to win games. That means we are always thinking about taking the extra base, or putting ourselves in the mindset to make an extra defensive play that can secure a win is key. It isn’t enough to win a series; we have to finish each one strong by trying to sweep. In April 2025, we needed just one more win to be in a different position in the playoffs. So if we have to lay down a bunt to move a runner over or challenge a call to earn another opportunity, we need to do it. Those small things could be the difference between where we were and where we wanted to be.
Doing a little extra work to improve is a lesson I’ve carried with me since I was young. When I was ten years old, I would go over to Greg Cook’s house, and his dad would throw them to us so we could get extra swings in the batter’s box. Taking that extra time outside of practice prepared me to face live pitching in games with confidence. As a sophomore, Austin Alvarez, our quarterback and I would stay after football practice to run extra routes and get more comfortable with each other. During basketball season, I would stay after to get extra reps in the post. All of that extra effort made me just a little more prepared to succeed on the field.
When I look at where we are with ALL RISE, I see the same mindset at work. We started small, giving out Mini-Grants and hosting events in my hometown. Now we are supporting organizations in all three of the communities I have been part of, and the level of support continues to grow. Our book club, one of our grassroots programs, has seen participation double each year as we take small steps to spread awareness. Our Leadership Master Classes are reaching more classrooms, and our Leadership Library continues to grow with resources for parents and educators because we are making the extra effort to provide meaningful tools. The ALL RISE team is always striving to build on what we do well and find new ways to strengthen our programs. While the foundation’s work may not put the Yankees in the World Series, these small actions help the youth we serve win their own championships.