'These are your roots': Reds talk Robinson with local Black athletes

CINCINNATI -- Reds players Hunter Greene, Will Benson and Bubba Thompson walked into the media center at Woodward Career Technical High School to spread the message about how important it was when Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier 77 years ago.

But as the discussion with 15 Black baseball and softball players for the school evolved, the kids understood there were three living examples of Major Leaguers who have been through some of what the students are experiencing right now.

“It feels great because I’m not the only person feeling these things. They have too," said Marcel Wilson, a junior at Woodward. "When you’re down about yourself and not feeling well, it builds you up to make you stronger so when you actually play, you’re able to do great.”

These were some of the questions that surfaced during the hour-long conversation:

What were some obstacles you dealt with?
*How do you not make mistakes?*
How do you deal with failure?
What are ways to build team chemistry?

“It’s great they asked a lot of questions regarding sports. But most of them were about life and how to maneuver through life and how to use some of the lessons from sports and how they can translate into life," Greene said. "Hopefully we were a wealth of knowledge for the kids today, but it seems like their heads were all in the right place.”

As for mistakes, there have been and will be many -- rest assured.

“Understand there is no perfect player. There is no perfect play," Benson told the students. "You’re going to make mistakes. The greatest players that we know make mistakes. Don’t put that pressure on yourself.”

A product of the MLB Youth Academy in Compton, Calif., who also played in the 2017 DREAM Series, Greene stressed that the students should listen to their adult coaches, teachers, mentors and parents because they are people who care.

"Understand they want you to do well. Take advantage of it. Don’t take it for granted," Greene said. “Whenever you feel like this coach is on me or this teacher is on me … they’re probably wanting to see you be the best version of yourself. Keep that in mind.”

Thompson, who played in the 2016 Breakthrough Series, discussed how important preparation was to create success. Growing up around Mobile, Alabama, he never met any Major League players in person like the students did on Friday.

“It was a blessing. It’s always good to come out and spread the love and the knowledge," Thompson said. "Hopefully we can do it again."

Benson noted the need for the kids to have an attention to detail and that their practices should be made harder than the games to help them be ready.

“I think it’s important to see people that look like you being successful at a high level and understand the level of commitment, the time and energy that goes into getting to that level," said Woodward athletic director Jabreel Moton. "I think sometimes there are thoughts that, ‘It’s easy, anybody can do it,’ and not realizing the amount of hours that you have to put in.”

Benson wanted to be an inspiration for the younger generation.

"In this life, you have to give it everything you’ve got because you only get one chance," Benson said. "It doesn’t have to be baseball, you can see my excellence in my job and what I do and transfer that over to something else.”

The three players reminded students that had it not been for Robinson debuting for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15, 1947, they wouldn't be sitting in front of them as big leaguers on Friday.

“It’s to keep the history fresh in our minds to know where they come from and these are your roots," Benson said. "By them knowing that, it will give them inspiration to continue to push. And the story of Jackie Robinson will continue to live on through these kids.”

"If he didn’t pave the way for us -- not just Black players, but Latin players and other players to break that color barrier -- the game wouldn’t be as diverse and special," Greene said. “No matter whether it’s good or it’s bad or if I’m going through something difficult, that day puts everything in perspective. My day isn’t really that bad. my life isn’t that difficult. I think of Jackie and what he had to endure. There is no comparison.”

Whether or not the student athletes go on to become professional athletes, they know there are still ways to overcome obstacles, achieve your dreams and meet your goals.

“If they leave as better men and better women, that’s what I am most proud and thankful for," Greene said.