From Major League Manager to Youth Sports Mentor: Mike Matheny's Parenting Journey
Today, we welcome former MLB manager and four-time Gold Glove winner Mike Matheny, who takes us on a profound journey through fatherhood, coaching philosophy, and his remarkable life experiences that shaped both. Drawing from his 13-year playing career and years managing the Cardinals and Royals, Matheny shares wisdom that transcends the baseball diamond.
Not only did he publish the amazing "Matheny Manifesto," but he has a new book out called "The Dad Coach," published by Crown Publishing Group, A Division of Penguin Random House! I got a copy and read it before it was recently released, and it is a book I wish I had had earlier when coaching my son in baseball. Please pick up a copy if you're a youth coach!
The conversation reveals Matheny's counterintuitive approach to youth sports: "The goal is not trying to get college scholarships. The goal is instilling character through sports to help kids become successful in anything they do." Remarkably, all five of his children earned college athletic opportunities despite this philosophy—or perhaps because of it. Matheny credits his own upbringing with parents who demonstrated consistent love and discipline while never pressuring him in sports, describing himself as having "won the lottery at birth."
Particularly moving is Matheny's account of surviving a subarachnoid hemorrhage in 2022—a condition with only a 1-in-6 survival rate. "I had a renewed sense of urgency," he explains. "What are we doing to make the most out of it and how are we going to make an impact with the days that we have?" This perspective infuses his new book "The Dad Coach," which provides practical guidance for parents coaching youth sports, complete with 75 QR codes linking to resources from former players and practical drills.
Beyond baseball strategy, Matheny offers transformative insights for parents navigating youth sports culture. His advice to let children drive their own athletic journeys while parents provide support without pressure resonates deeply in today's high-pressure youth sports environment. As we chase our own definition of success, Matheny reminds us that the most valuable trophy isn't made of metal—it's the character and resilience built through the journey.
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