Tony Garcia started playing baseball when he was 3 years old. His passion for the game came naturally. His great-grandpa, grandpa, dad and brother all played.
Fast forward 15 years. Garcia is a senior at MacArthur High School and leads the Cardinal baseball team as their captain – an honor he does not take lightly.
“It was like a dream come true being varsity captain for the baseball team,” says Garcia proudly. “As captain, I have to keep the team in check and make sure they are passing their classes and doing well. I have to make sure they are giving 100% in practice. Whenever they grow up, they are going to thank me.”
Garcia doesn’t ask anything of his teammates that he wouldn’t do. He stays committed to his studies, eats incredibly healthy to keep his body strong and listens to classical music to prepare mentally for games.
As the team’s pitcher, he also spends many hours training physically. Garcia focuses on strengthening his core, legs, back and rotation. In addition to his regular practices and weight-lifting regime, he takes yoga and focuses on his breathing.
MacArthur High School’s baseball coach, Nic Beavers, is very proud of Garcia and his leadership.
“Tony is a special young man. He is in the top .5% of athletes with his work ethic, passion, desire and commitment. He understands the work it takes to accomplish his personal and team goals, and acts on them,” says Coach Beavers. “I am proud of the leader and young man he has become. I can’t wait to see him playing college, then professional baseball in the coming years, as I have no concern that he will continue to apply the core pillars of discipline, integrity, respect and team first attitude within all aspects of his future. We are all so proud of him.”
Once Garcia finishes his last year of high school, he’ll attend Navarro College in Corsicana to play baseball and enroll in kinesiology classes. He’s set his sights to become a physician’s assistant or athletic trainer, but his ultimate dream is to get drafted in the majors.
