Former Major Leaguer visits Marion
Sports reporter
Milt Thompson played Major League Baseball in Atlanta, St. Louis, Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, and Colorado. He was part of the 1993 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies, and currently is their batting coach.
He was a visitor Feb. 3 at Marion High School.
Thompson, who was a guest speaker through the Eighth Judicial District Community Corrections out of Junction City, visited MHS and spoke to freshmen and sophomores about the importance of education and never giving up.
"I'm living proof dreams do come true," Thompson told the students.
He then went on to say they need to realize a free education is not something available to everyone in the world.
"You have to take advantage of the education right in front of you," he said.
Thompson, who is 47 and grew up without X-Box, DVD players, and text messaging, said he understands it's easy for young students to be distracted from school work.
He also said there are too many teens whose normal day includes putting off school work, playing video games, eating dinner, watching TV, and then going to bed.
"There is plenty of time for all that," he said after the speech. "They just have to set their priorities straight."
MHS principal Ken Arnhold was glad to have Thompson speak to the students.
"I thought he was outstanding," Arnhold said. "One of the best speakers we've had in a while."
Arnhold said he was pleased with Thompson's overall message of needing to go above and beyond the call of duty.
"They need to realize not to settle with mediocrity," Arnhold said.
Before the speech, Thompson spoke with a dozen students and new MHS baseball coach Shaun Craft about the techniques of batting.
"I thought he had a good message for the kids," Craft said. "You can never give up whether it's sports, school, or your career."
