by As the umpire yelled the final words and the championship game concluded, there was only a certain amount of people who truly understood the sacrifice that it took to get there. The courage and belief in one another had risen above any obstacle set in the way of fourteen young men in a summer of dreams.
In the spring and the summer of 2000 my team of little leaguers and I would go on the greatest journey anyone could ever dream of. In a time when I truly needed something to believe in, a group of ten-year olds would provide exactly that.
I was eighteen and had just graduated from high school with the rest of my life ahead of me to decide what I was to become and where I was headed. Little did I know that it was going to take this group of amazing children to show me that life was worth having something and someone to believe in.
8 Years ago today, my life changed forever. Long before I experienced the most incredible joy that is holding your child for the first time, I held a copy of my first published book and it felt amazing to realize a dream just came true.
I wrote HERO to inspire children and adults all over the world to chase their dreams, work hard and never give up. Little did I know that book would lead to me doing all of those same things.
Not only did the book sell well, but it opened up doors in my life that I never even dreamt possible before that. I grew up dreaming about writing a book and having book signings, and sure enough that is exactly what happened. Everyone was a dream come true and each time I had to pinch myself, “is this really happening?”.
Over the last 8 years I have lived a dream life as one goal after another, and one dream after another has been realized. 9 books total, getting to cover the biggest names and biggest games in Cleveland sports and doing it under the banner of my own last name.
It’s crazy, but at the end of the day none of it would be possible without A LOT of people. I’ve seen so many around me sacrifice, and deal with my crazy schedule. My wonderful wife Emily puts up with my 18-hour work days, and never makes me feel bad about the many 2 or 3 am bedtimes. I couldn’t do anything without her support. She has given me the greatest gift in the world, two beautiful little girls who are my entire life!
One of the reasons I work so late is because I don’t want to miss them during the day. They are my pride and joy and that goes far beyond the cliché. If appearing on live TV to promote my books is a 7, then being their Daddy is 700! I’ll say it again, they are my world!
Thank you to my Mom and Dad, Don and Maria McKee for always supporting me and believing in me. Since I was a little boy, they have been by my side. Thank you as well to my in laws Bob and Debbie Lamb. Your support and understanding of my passion means the world.
Thank you to my dear friend Ty Schwamberger for helping me get it published, and being a mentor for me throughout this entire magical journey. Thank you to every single person who has bought a copy of HERO, or any of my nine books for that matter!
If you have a dream, work towards it and believe in it. Never let go!
Thank you to everyone who has supported this dream that has now become my reality of a life. It is felt in every keystroke, every mile driven in my car and every late night of sleep. You are with me.
God Bless and never stop working hard!
Click here to buy a copy on Amazon, or you can contact me directly at coachvin14@yahoo.com to purchase a personally signed copy while supplies last. Thank you!
