Robert Woodard- Myers Park

I have written and mentioned Robert's name many times, but I was thinking the other day that I haven't mentioned why I think he is simply the best.

There are so many areas to discuss about Robert, not only as a baseball player but as a person, but if I had to narrow it down to three areas it would be class, maturity and talent.

Class- he is one of the most respectful young men I have ever met..genuine, sincere and thought provoking. He is always positive when speaking of teammates or opposition players. Robert never has "talked" about another person in a negative way. I asked him about dealing with pressure and his statement was " What pressure? My peers in Iraq are under pressure. Me....I don't have any pressure". He has been very helpful to my son in giving advice freely and without prejudice. My son has learned a great deal by just watching how Robert deals with baseball and life.

Maturity- I asked his Dad if perhaps Robert might be 25 not 18. He plays in a different era where players lived, ate, slept and dedicated themselves to their sport.."a gym rat" is an appropriate term. He realized early that if you are going to do something, give it your all...don't leave wondering what if? His work habits are well known, but his ability to get others to work hard is a leadership trait not commonly seen.

Talent- He can beat you with his physical talents, but he can also beat you with his intelligence. He plays the game like a Master chessman..always 2 steps ahead. If you are not thinking along with him, he already has you beat. He has a game plan on the mound and at the plate and you better have one also, when you play against him.

It's rare to see a player that can beat you with his physical tools and it's rare to find a player who can outsmart you with his intelligence, but there are rare occasions that you will find a player gifted with both. Robert Woodard is that player.

My Player of the Year and " Mr. Baseball".....Robert Woodard

 

I've had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Robert. I hate that i've not seen him on the field.(yet) I'd have to say that the impression that I got was nothing short of what Braves has said in his post. A very mature and personable young man. I'd like to extend my wishes for a safe and successful future, it is indeed a promising one.

 

AND.....he has really nice parents that are supportive and helpful to all those players and families currently associated with Robert and the players and families coming behind him in the wonderful game of baseball!

 

Is Woodard the young man who has signed at Davidson? I understand that the 'Cats have one player from Myers Park coming next year, but I cannot recall the name.

 

No, Woodard is attending UNC...Rob Wilson is who you are thinking of....and the 'Cats are getting a great one...and I don't use that term loosely

 

Ahhhhh.... .another famous Bravesism.......Yogi's got some competiton

 

Yes, his parents have been instrumental in helping all families to understand what to do to get prepared beyond HS...but I must say that Mrs. Woodard is the driving force...why she even made me through her sheer will to get me to like the color "green"

 

Yep..Yogi's my hero and inspiration

 

No way to type all the positives one could about Robert. I agree that he has class, maturity and talent. It probably will come as no surprise that he is the first guy to help a teammate struggling with anything -- inside or outside baseball, and the first to help younger players learn how to play and how to act. Robert is the consummate leader.

Rather than list even more qualities, suffice it to say, without any qualification whatsoever, Robert Woodard is an outstanding young man, the kind that come along only once in a while.

 

Robert, please forgive me but I have to share this story. This is the real Robert Woodard. I took a carload of boys to Florida for a baseball camp a couple of years ago. We stopped at a gas station/Wendys combination store somewhere in Georgia. The boys went piling into the store to get lunch and snacks. Robert glanced down and saw a stack of cash (over $100) on the ground. As he picked it up the comments went like "wow, you lucky dog". But Robert took the cash to the cashier in the convience store and turned it in. He then went to Wendys to buy his own lunch. A moment later, in walks an elderly couple, looking for the young man who turned in their money. He offered Robert a reward, which he politely refused. He was finally able to convince Robert to allow him to buy his lunch. Now I would like to think my son would have done the same thing, but Robert did do it, and was very matter of fact about it. "It was the right thing to do" was all he would say. My hat is off to Robert.