Thread
In 2013, I was the #1 overall pick in the MLB Draft.
5 years later, I was called “the biggest bust in MLB history.”
Today, I’m working my way back, and I’m here to share both the hard-earned lessons I’ve learned along the way🧵👇
5 years later, I was called “the biggest bust in MLB history.”
Today, I’m working my way back, and I’m here to share both the hard-earned lessons I’ve learned along the way🧵👇
Talent Finds a Way. Don’t Worry About Who’s Watching.
I played 2 years of high school varsity as a relief pitcher, pitching only 30 innings.
7 teammates had college commitments before I did.
Through hard work, I finally earned a @stanfordbsb scholarship my senior year.
I played 2 years of high school varsity as a relief pitcher, pitching only 30 innings.
7 teammates had college commitments before I did.
Through hard work, I finally earned a @stanfordbsb scholarship my senior year.
Tell Someone You Believe in Them. It Goes a Long Way.
During freshman year, a team captain called a player meeting.
Despite my poor play in pre-season, he told me I was one of the best pitchers we had.
He believed in me and for the first time I began to believe in myself.
During freshman year, a team captain called a player meeting.
Despite my poor play in pre-season, he told me I was one of the best pitchers we had.
He believed in me and for the first time I began to believe in myself.
Opportunity Comes When You Least Expect It. Be Ready.
My sophomore year, our #1 Friday starter sliced his finger open two weeks before the season.
He was out all year.
I stepped in and ended up pitching every Friday night for the next 3 seasons, becoming a top MLB draft pick.
My sophomore year, our #1 Friday starter sliced his finger open two weeks before the season.
He was out all year.
I stepped in and ended up pitching every Friday night for the next 3 seasons, becoming a top MLB draft pick.
It's Your Career. You Can Always Say "No".
As a junior, I was named the best pitcher in college baseball and was pegged to be a top 3 pick in the MLB draft.
Pittsburgh took me with the 8th pick, offering me $3.8mm.
I said no.
Less than a year later, I signed for over $6mm.
As a junior, I was named the best pitcher in college baseball and was pegged to be a top 3 pick in the MLB draft.
Pittsburgh took me with the 8th pick, offering me $3.8mm.
I said no.
Less than a year later, I signed for over $6mm.
Know Your Priorities
This one may be contrarian b/c of the previous tweet 👆
Many thought I declined the Pirates’ offer because of money, but these were bigger factors:
1. Relationships
2. Education
3. Chasing a Dream
I still consider all of these more valuable than $$.
This one may be contrarian b/c of the previous tweet 👆
Many thought I declined the Pirates’ offer because of money, but these were bigger factors:
1. Relationships
2. Education
3. Chasing a Dream
I still consider all of these more valuable than $$.
You Can Be Content Without Being Complacent
Definitions:
- Contentment: peace with what you have and who you are
- Complacency: unaware self-satisfaction
One expresses thankfulness, humility and joy. The other ingratitude, pride and apathy.
Be content, not complacent.
Definitions:
- Contentment: peace with what you have and who you are
- Complacency: unaware self-satisfaction
One expresses thankfulness, humility and joy. The other ingratitude, pride and apathy.
Be content, not complacent.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
In 2014, I experienced depression for the first time in my life.
After a stretch of terrible games, I broke down and destroyed a locker room wall.
When the dust settled (figuratively and literally), even though I wasn't okay, I knew my life would be.
In 2014, I experienced depression for the first time in my life.
After a stretch of terrible games, I broke down and destroyed a locker room wall.
When the dust settled (figuratively and literally), even though I wasn't okay, I knew my life would be.
Regularly Assess Your Reality and Redefine Your Wins
When I first got injured, my reality changed, but I never honestly assessed what I needed to change.
After 3 years, my health and performance continued to deteriorate.
When life circumstances change, accept them and adjust.
When I first got injured, my reality changed, but I never honestly assessed what I needed to change.
After 3 years, my health and performance continued to deteriorate.
When life circumstances change, accept them and adjust.
Don’t Be Afraid To Take a Break
By January 2018, I had been hurt for the majority of two years.
I was physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained.
It was time for a break.
If you are burnt out, take a break — you can pick up again when you're ready.
By January 2018, I had been hurt for the majority of two years.
I was physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually drained.
It was time for a break.
If you are burnt out, take a break — you can pick up again when you're ready.
Relationships are Everything (pt. 1)
For the first time in my life, I had a summer entirely to myself.
I kayaked in NC, backpacked in CO, went fishing in OR, had family dinner every Sunday night, and served in my church.
In relationships I rediscovered purpose and joy.
For the first time in my life, I had a summer entirely to myself.
I kayaked in NC, backpacked in CO, went fishing in OR, had family dinner every Sunday night, and served in my church.
In relationships I rediscovered purpose and joy.
Relationships are Everything (pt. 2)
Having 2-3 (or more) friends who share commitment to one another can change your life.
In friends, you find courage. And in courage, you find belief.
As Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life reminds us: “No man is a failure who has friends.”
Having 2-3 (or more) friends who share commitment to one another can change your life.
In friends, you find courage. And in courage, you find belief.
As Clarence from It’s a Wonderful Life reminds us: “No man is a failure who has friends.”
Keep a Long Perspective
After shoulder surgery in October 2018, it would be over 30 months before I played in another game.
Without perspective, disappointment is your constant companion.
With perspective, patience is your friend and progress happens quicker than expected.
After shoulder surgery in October 2018, it would be over 30 months before I played in another game.
Without perspective, disappointment is your constant companion.
With perspective, patience is your friend and progress happens quicker than expected.
If you enjoyed this thread and would like more thoughts and threads on success/failure, perseverance, relationships, business, investing, baseball, theology or anything else that sparks my curiosity, give me a follow @markappel26!
For more on my decision to take a break, here is an excellent profile by the wonderful @joonlee:
(FYI: he informed me upon publishing that he did not write the title)
www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2757009-why-mark-appel-perhaps-the-biggest-bu...
(FYI: he informed me upon publishing that he did not write the title)
www.google.com/amp/s/syndication.bleacherreport.com/amp/2757009-why-mark-appel-perhaps-the-biggest-bu...
To read a little bit about my time away and my comeback, check out this piece by @EvanDrellich, who I met when he was covering the Astros in the early 2010s:
theathletic.com/2483107/2021/03/29/mark-appels-journey-back-to-the-phillies-shoulder-surgery-a-sandwi...
theathletic.com/2483107/2021/03/29/mark-appels-journey-back-to-the-phillies-shoulder-surgery-a-sandwi...
And to read more about how this season has been going, @howardmegdal wrote a nice piece back in July:
fivethirtyeight.com/features/this-former-no-1-pick-is-trying-to-forge-an-mlb-career-at-age-30/
fivethirtyeight.com/features/this-former-no-1-pick-is-trying-to-forge-an-mlb-career-at-age-30/
