>And I remember thinking then, okay, so
>that's what real major-league talent looks like. And then:
>man, I don't have anywhere near that talent. Both
>awe-inspiring and dream-crushing.

I was pretty oblivious to the distinction between me and somebody like that until I was in later high-school. And then I was in denial about it.

Regarding the "might have killed a kid" pitcher, we had one of those too. He actually played in the NBA for a little while, Lonny Baxter. But he only pitched for our little league team in very rare appearances, one of which made a kid cry and refuse to finish the at bat.