Being Ready When Your Number is Called

Not all athletes can be star players. The greatest teams in professional sports have role players with a clear job. They understand their task, which is usually quite specific, and they do their best to trump their opponent at that specific task.

Sometimes role players provide leadership. Other times, they provide a certain skill. In basketball, they may offer 3-point shooting or defensive prowess. In hockey, they may provide a certain level of toughness or a strong ability to score in power play situations. Yet no matter the sport, role players are of the utmost importance.

Many role players spend quite a bit of time sitting on the bench. However, not all young athletes handle this supportive role in the best way. They desire more playing time even when they’re best suited for a specific part of the game. Yet through discussions at practice and team websites, coaches can teach young athletes about the importance of playing a role.

Cubs express patience with top prospect

While Javy Baez of the Chicago Cubs is a very talented hitter with lots of power, he struggled at the plate last season, according to the Chicago Sun Times. In 213 at-bats, the 22-year-old hit .169 and stuck out 95 times. The Cubs organization hasn’t forgotten about his vast potential. However, for now, Baez may have to serve as a role player instead of a star.

“I do not like the entitlement program whatsoever,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon told the new outlet. “You’ve got young players coming up, and all of a sudden because they’ve done well in Triple-A and have some nice headlines, they come to the big leagues and expect that it’s just going to happen there. It’s a tough place to earn a living, the major leagues.”

Mavericks guard dusts off the cobwebs

Before last week, Raymond Felton, point guard for the Dallas Mavericks, had only played 15 minutes in five games over the entire 2014-2015 season. However, when starting point guard Rajon Rondo sat out with an injury, Felton was ready to go, The Dallas Morning News reported. He recorded 10 points and five assists in 29 minutes played against the Denver Nuggets.

“Still a little rusty, first game playing a lot of minutes, but it felt good,” Felton told the news outlet. “I’m a professional. I’m on a great team. There’s a lot of guys on this team that have been All-Stars. Now we’re all on one team. You’re going to go through times when you’re not going to play. I get that. I’m just happy to be on a good team.”