May 9, 2010
Even though the Texas Longhorns are on the road this weekend against Kansas State, a very select group will still be celebrated by the players -- their moms.
TexasSports.com asked some of the Longhorns to share thoughts and special memories about these very important women in their lives.
How has your mom influenced your growth as a baseball player?
Stayton Thomas: First of all, she has helped pay for everything -- that is pretty major for me. She has always been supportive me and has always wanted me to succeed. She has always supported me in everything that I have ever wanted to do and she has always had my back.
Chance Ruffin: Everything from giving me love off the field to just being there to support me in the field. You can't say enough about the things that she has done in my life. She made me what I am today and a big part of who I am on the field.
Cameron Rupp: Playing ball, she has supported me since day one and I thank her for it.
Brandon Loy: I always remember when I was a little kid she would always throw me the ball and I would dive and throw it back. But it was always the little stuff like that to help me out with baseball. When I was a little kid, all I wanted to do was have fun and play around with the ball and she was there to roll it for me or to do whatever else.
Cole Green: When I was in fifth, sixth grade and she would be waiting in front of the school with a lunch packed and my baseball stuff ready to take me to practice, or a lesson, or whatever I needed to do. She is definitely the most competitive person in my family. I think that she pushes us to our full potential.
Hoby Milner: She took me to most of my practices because my dad was scouting when I was in little league, so he was always gone. My mom was always the one taking me to games.
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What is the best gift you've ever given on Mother's Day? Thomas: I did hit a home run for her. I was either 15 or 16, and I had just started playing summer league ball. We were playing in a Mother's Day tournament and I told her that I was going to hit a home run for her and sure enough my last at bat I did.
Ruffin: I don't know, that would be tough, you would have to ask her. But I would say probably some of the home-cooked meals I have made for her.
Rupp: I always kind of do my own little thing. I make my own card for her. I have not decided what I am going to do for her this year yet but I still have a couple of days.
Milner: I don't know, maybe coming to UT.
What is a special memory from growing up you share with your mom?
Thomas: When I was in T-Ball I started acting out and she went out there in front of everybody and dragged me off of the field.
Ruffin: She has always been there. Probably her helping me with homework more than anything.
Rupp: She used to take me everywhere, when my dad would go out of town she would take me to my games. She would take me to my lessons, she would take me anywhere that I needed to go and that is something that I remember because she always willing to help me whenever she could.
Loy: I always just remember her caring a lot, because I remember when I was in little league and I would strike out or something she would be in the stands and she would say something to me and I would get mad at her. But she has always cared a lot and been there to take me to practice or whatever it was.
Milner: I remember, I think when I was 12 she caught bullpen for me in some baseball field right outside of our neighborhood. She took me out there because I needed to throw over the weekend so she just went out there and caught ... and she did just fine.
What is the best advice or nugget of wisdom your mom has given you?
Thomas: Don't cross me. That was pretty much the philosophy I lived by for 18 years. She was supportive and I love her.
Ruffin: Probably the biggest thing was just how much she loves me. She's always here for me, no matter how bad I do in a game or how bad I do in school. She is always going to be there for me and always going to love me as much as I can imagine being loved.
Rupp: Always stay positive about things. Look for the good in people and don't try to bring situations down, she still tells me that. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.
Green: Just keep your head up, keep working. Just compete the best you can. I think she always has note card or bible verse or a saying that she gives me. Milner: Always try hard.
