Through the Lens of LPW: The boys of summer

From an early age, those who knew Kevin Sullivan knew he was destined for sporting glory. Kevin started out playing the typical myriad of sports we all grow up playing (or at least some of us played). He was the star running back on the football team and the point guard on our high school basketball team. But there was one sport that Kevin excelled in, baseball. There was something about baseball that combined all of the elements of Kevin's superior athletic ability and meshed them into one sport. It was plain to all of his friends and to a couple of major league baseball teams that Kevin had what it took to make it to the "Bigs."

Drafted out of high school Kevin deferred this chance to play Major League Baseball and instead took some time to develop his craft and get a degree from Carthage College in Kenosha. With his diploma in hand and four more year of practice, Kevin was now ready for his dream to come true. However, chasing this dream proved a much more difficult road than anticipated.

After a handful of years being bounced around different farm clubs, Kevin was faced with a choice. Continue to pursue baseball or "settle down" and start a career outside of the diamond. For Kevin it was an easy choice, he chose to keep playing baseball and keep doing what he loved to do.

This year Kevin is the starting catcher for the St. Paul Saints, a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Not knowing how long Kevin would be playing pro ball, some high school classmates and I took a road trip to see "Sully" play.

After seeing Kevin play and hearing firsthand accounts about what baseball means to him, I'm convinced Kevin is doing exactly what he should be doing in life. In Kevin I see a man who isn't afraid to fight, day in and day out, to accomplish his dream. In today's world that a rarity. Often we give up too soon when the going gets tough. For Kevin, who plays over 90 games in a 5 month period from St. Paul all the way down to Shreveport, LA, he hasn't lost that fire. Whether or not he ever sees a Big League game, Kevin will have remained true to himself and to the sport that has given so much to him. He's an inspiration to many, including me. I'm proud to call him my friend!

Here's Kevin warming up before the game