What a nice guy. An ex pro ball player who is now a coach. What an authentic, and genuine, guy. It seems like this is exactly the type of people who should be coaching young college athletes.
The fact that you were still on so many team's radar showed you had skills even when injured. More importantly you made it to the majors. So many fall through the cracks, or succumb to injuries waaay before then.
"Stunk" is mighty relative... It takes real talent to even be drafted for a Major League team, let alone the experience of having been called up. I don't think you have anything to be ashamed of, and you probably didn't stink. You got hurt and you were never able to completely recover. I'm not familiar with your career to comment on it, but I have seen similar scenarios unfold for others, guys with serious talent who's full potential will never be known. I think it takes a real man to walk away from the thing you love in your own best interest. Baseball is still blessing you with a career today.
Be proud of where you did go in your career, Matt. I was a .454 JUCO All-American hitter and 44th player picked and did not ever get the chance to make it to "The Show". Just remember all of the boys and men who have dreamed to just be on the field of dreams we have rounded the bases on!
If someone is not a well known MLB player, people might think that they are bad. But being in the MLB means that you are the best of the best. You taught me a lot of good tips. Love your videos Matt!
Yep. Not just physically (5 tools), but healthy and fortunate as well. Many highly gifted, hard-working athletes do not have an MLB career ahead of them. So many ways to fail and wrists, knees, etc. don't always cooperate. I watch a lot of AA games, and realize all those players are the top of the top, and yet so very few rack up 10 WAR (3 decent seasons) in the SHOW.
It's really tough to get to the top and stay there. It isn't enough to just be good; you also have to have luck on your side at some point or another. Look at Jurickson Profar. Four, five years ago he was the number one prospect in baseball, beating out guys like Bogaerts, Oscar Taveras, Miguel Sano, Wil Myers, etc. And that wasn't unjustified hype; Profar had a combination of premium abilities at a premium position with amazingly advanced discipline at the plate that put him legitimately ahead of pretty much anyone else in the minors at that time. Then he suffers a major shoulder injury, misses basically two years of very important development time at like 21-22, and now can't stick pretty much anywhere. He's never had the same kind of pop since the injuries, and the time away seems to have really taken something out of his game. For Mr. Antonelli, missing all that time and only being able to play intermittently had to have had a deleterious affect on his actual baseball skills, if not his tools. If you can't practice, it's hard to maintain. And wrist and hand injuries are notoriously slow to come back to strength, as well. Poor luck with injuries -- or even just bad timing with when you play well and when you don't coming up -- have derailed plenty of careers over the years. It definitely sucks, but it just proves how narrow the gap you have to shoot is in order to get to the highest level of the game.
Ill tell ya buddy I'm 54 I played ball for 10 years and of the 10 I picked for 6 played short 3rd left right lol I truly understand the way you fill sorry about your luck man but boy is like to have had that chance I also know that you went through a rough time with dealing with the public relation part of it. I would have like to have seen you play buddy but everyone's not cut out for the game of baseball u had a stretch thow To bad it wasn't longer and we may have seen ya in the hall .. Good luck to ya always and take care . ya even have that baseball name .....
I like how you are able to talk about this stuff objectively. You weren't making excuses for your actions; you owned up to them but also recognized the difficulties you had along the way. I always tell people there is a difference between a reason and an excuse. You provided reasons for your baseball career coming to an end and I really appreciate the way you're able to put aside your pride (something many people can't do) and just be honest about what happened. I'm sorry it didn't work out but it seems to me like you're in a good spot now, and you're helping a lot of people in ways that maybe you wouldn't have had the opportunity to if things had worked out a bit differently. Keep up the great videos man! I wish you the best of luck.
How many of us would LOVE to say we got a hit off Greg Maddox. Holy cow. You're so lucky, Matt, while at the same time being so unlucky with that dang persistent injury. At least all those years of hard work got you in the majors, which most guys dream about from age 4 through 104! Love your channel.
Dude I can’t remember the last time I saw such a honest and heartfelt video. My dad played in AAA for years and never got called up so I realize baseball can be a bitch. It was really refreshing to see you be so candid and open about your experience. I just discovered your videos today and really enjoy watching them.
Knew the story. You were set to do great things. But life happens, and there's always a reason. You're in a position to help shape kids on and off the field and will do great things for so many people.
You seem like a genuinely nice guy. Love your videos (played ball my whole life through HS) and I rarely see anyone on RUclips try and answer all their fan questions/comments. Keep doing what ya' do!
Love it. Dude, your candidness should be taken note from EVERY major publication. You are building the guideline to MLB for thousands of hopefuls. This is a niche in RUclips that hasn't been filled and you are doing it. Keep it coming.
baseball is a least physical sport....... this guy just has unlucky genes..... just like that basketball player for the celtics that keeps tearing his acl in both knees.... after getting hurt that much i would have just stopped and found a different route
du Bb go swing a bat as hard as you can a few thousand times and get back to me about your hips and shoulders and knees and wrists. Its not impact as football, for example. But this sport can destroy your joints and fast.
Truly takes a ton of talent to get drafted by an MLB team. The fact that you made it to the big league level is a testament to your talent and tremendous work ethic. Thank you for sharing your story. Much success to you and family.
This post is almost 2 years old but I want to commend you on making this video. It probably wasn't easy to make a video explaining your deficiencies on social media or to anyone for that matter. It takes some serious stones to do that. Although one door has probably closed for you, others have opened not only for you, but for thousands around the world. My son who is 9 has gotten tons of useful advice from your videos and has even passed that knowledge down to his teammates. For that I thank you. Keep up the good work. ⚾️
Dugout life might be learning from the coaches and paying attention to the game to get ready to be a coach after you get out of baseball whether you make it to the big leagues or not
Pretty much what happens to about 90% of ppl who ever play at that level. Appreciate your honesty. Just found your channel and really enjoy it. Its amazing as you work up the tiers how the levels of separation occur. You’re a better ball player even now than about 99% of all people who are out there trying to catch a big break. I just think its awesome that you were grinding all those years and kept popping your head in the door. Always giving maximum effort. You may not have accomplished all you would have liked, but you were still very successful because you gave it all you had. 👏🏼
By the way, I'm not even a real baseball fan. I'm a hockey fan my whole life but your story is fascinating. Good luck Matt. Can't be easy coming on RUclips and pouring this kind of personal info out.
Don't be so hard on yourself,and you are a great instructor and keep up your videos! You made the big leagues bro that's so awesome to experience,and you get tell stories that over 97% of us cannot in the World. Your MLB career was short live,but you did live your dream!⚾️
Its amazing that you got to the majors and now are helping other players to play professionally. You're one of the greatest coaches I've seen and any major league team would be lucky to have you coaching their players.
Interesting story Matt, my dad got called by Detroit to try out when he graduated from High School. They said he was a good player, 2 & short, but his wrists were too small. He got a few nibbles after that, but Dec. 7, 1941 came and pretty much ended his hopes. Coached youth and high school ball for 20+ years after that and was always an avid (rabid?) fan til the the day he died. Hearing your troubles with your wrist brought back many memories of hot summer days at a ball park with him. Thanks.
My 8 year old son absolutely loves the ins and outs of baseball. He can't get enough of listening to you talk about the behind the scenes stuff. Thanks!
It is amazing how everyone has a “story of my life” and the twists & turns that life takes. We make the choices which account for a majority of our consequences however; “circumstances” that are out of our control like health play their role as well. Love the channel and the content.
You seem very humble I'm just getting into you're videos tonight. Anyone that's gotten called up to the bigs obviously has some sort of talent whatever it is on the field but as well as discipline. Just the fact you were in the minors and drafted showed you already succeeded man. That takes nothing but hard work and discipline like I said before. Mad respect cause I know I couldn't keep up with the grind for a while. Now you're contributing to other people success in college ball. That's the life. You're in the history books man. You got a hit in the majors think about that. Goodstuff
The more I hear stories from former professional athletes, the more I realize how much professional sports suck. People think it's so great and it probably is for the guys that can stay legitimately healthy but it just doesn't seem like a good trade off to me. These organizations are crap, well in baseball and football anyways. I don't have any friends who played in the NBA. Thanks for sharing because this really gives many casual fans the real story behind the scenes on what you guys go through chasing your dreams.
Wow. The fact that you can even say "I was on a Major League roster" is mind-blowing. Many people just fail to realize how amazingly hard it is to make it to the Majors. They only accept the absolute best of the best , of the best. Baseball is a skill sport, just like golf. You either have "it" or you don't. Not like basketball and football, where athleticism alone can get you on a roster. I can really appreciate your candor.
I cannot imagine being so close to a dream like that, I'm sure it took a while to come to terms with your situation. More power to you for taking that situation and turning it into a fantastic channel.
Man, you could have ignored that question, but I salute you for squaring up and giving an answer. I never played beyond Little League, but I learned then and have seen it borne out since that Baseball is a humbling game. Once you get bit, you're hooked for life but the rollercoaster ride isn't always fun. Congratulations on landing on your feet - you're blessed. Keep sharing your great info and insight, and thank you.
Wow thats a really tuff story to listen too! "Strong physically strong mentally" when the body fails us, usually the mind isn't too far behind! Thank you for sharing, great attitude!
I love your videos Mr.Antonelli! Thanks so much for informing us on MLB life and interacting with all of the viewers :) It's awesome to have an MLB player personally answering our questions!
Thanks for telling your story and helping young players on the realities of the game. I'm so excited to hear you and inspired by your candor and humility. May you have continued success as a coach. God bless.
Hey Matt, I literally just subscribed. Love the honesty and your self-deprecating humour. It's funny how being in your 30s give you a sense of perspective where you can appreciated the good with the bad. Looking forward to watching some more videos. P.S. your K/BB ratios looked great in the minor's you don't see that in the game anymore.
Thank you for sharing such a personally difficult story with such honesty. As a fantasy baseball freak since the early 90's I watched your minor league career and was certain you were an All-Star in the future. Nothing more difficult than hand/wrist injuries, they seem so minor but affect so much. You seem really happy with the way things are going now. I'm happy for you.
Absolutely love your transparency man...probably doesn't feel that great to know you were so close but injuries curtailed everything. Appreciate the insight.
Your injury stories is similar to mine. Except mine was with my lower back. Ended my career. Didn’t feel right again for 14 years. I’m just now starting to feel some what normal. Nagging injuries will kill your career/favorite thing to do pretty quickly. I give you a lot of respect for trying to work through the many injuries as many times as you did. It’s very frustrating. Glad you’re doing well now. Cheers.
Thank you for your very candid explanation. No excuses. You did the very best you could do. No one can fault you for lack of effort. Anyone who has spent one day on a big league roster will always be a big leaguer in my book, regardless of results.
Were you ever star struck in any of the MLB organizations you played being around the superstar players and do you have any interesting nightlife stories as a player or any cities that have any interesting attributes outside of baseball? Former MLB player Eric Chavez said that Toronto had one of the best nightlife environments
At first maybe a little bit but you get used to it after a while. I'd say most of the major cities in the league have good nightlife. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I would have traded places with you. Closest I got to MLB was two open tryouts with the Reds. Thanks for sharing. BTW - if you haven’t read the book Ball Four by Jim Bouton, you should, it’s about MLB in the early 60’s. See how things have changed, or not.😄
Ur an amazing talent. My friend led a major D1 team in HRs this season and is a great player. And no one drafted him so his career is essentially over. So the fact that u made it and hung in high level minors for so long shows u were In the top 1%. It ended for some after high school and some after college.
So to get as far as you did in MLB considering all the weird injuries, I wouldn’t say you stunk it up. Yes at the Show ya gotta perform, but if your injured and can’t hold the bat it is what it is. It’s unfortunate, possibly congenital hand issues that accelerated due to being at a higher level. Man love the stories and the background of minor and major league ball. Much success with your career going forward!
I never really thought my skills were better than others. Others did certain things better than me. I always knew I was a pretty good player, but never really realized I stood out much from others. Thanks for watching and commenting!
So glad I found your channel! my little brother, who is a shortstop, plays with 12 year olds at the tender age of 9. I've already looked at a few of your videos and they'll elevate his game completely. thanks again.
You're a great man. Being this honest and real is very refreshing. I really admire you, probably more than most people that I admire and follow. I truly hope that you are happy and enjoying life, because you definitely have some of the major keys to a successful life. Hope that all makes sense. Strong admiration for you brother.
These videos are great. This was a dream gone by for me, so watching these videos and listening to your insight about the different levels of pro-ball has been incredibly satisfying. Thank you for putting these up!
I grew up Brockton, MA didn’t even know who this guy was. But definitely recognize that accent! Thank you for all these videos man! You definitely bring the complexities of baseball down to a simple Level for everybody to understand.
+Antonelli Baseball Wrist/any hand injury injuries seem to be the worst possible thing to happen to a hitter. Aaron Hill's and many others careers were never the same after their hand injuries.
Damn man, that’s terrible. Nothing is more frustrating than being that close to your dream and having your body break down. Nothing you can do about it. Thank you for sharing this; you’re a good man.
Love his honesty with everything. The times he wasn't playing well he admitted it. And it sucks that sounded like if he could stay healthy he would have had a solid career. Good contact hitter, didn't strike out alot and a solid 2nd basement
Matt, that's really unfortunate all the injury issues you had. Sounds like you've accepted it and moved on. Not sure how easily I could have done that. Glad you were able to do that. Thanks for the videos.
Pope Ricardo Pianus V% Nattalian Priest is it proven it takes pressure off your wrist? I had to sit out for a couple weeks and experience bad soreness sometimes when I swing
Hey, you're not my son, but I want you too know how much I think of you for being straight forward and honest about a dream coming true (Getting to the majors)...but then not having it play out as the rest of the dream goes. Very mature and comfortable with yourself. I'm proud of you. Great character. YOU got to where most folks NEVER have gotten. What an incredible live experience for those many years, learning how to deal with adversity. You have learned more than you would have, had it been easy and more dreamlike for you. Now you're better prepared for real life. Keep up your wonderful attitude. I'm rooting' for ya.
Watching this video during 2020 covid quarantine. Baseball is on hold but enjoying your videos. I appreciate your honesty and critique of yourself with no hubris. keep up the work you're doing because your insight provides invaluable information.
Hi. First, sorry about all of the injuries. Too bad - sounds like you would have been really good at the Major League level! As for this video - well done. You took us through your entire pro career in a very methodical and interesting way. Hoping you and your family are well, and I hope you are blessed in your coaching career. God Bless...
Baseball money is amazing on the back end. Upfront it’s worse than the nba and nfl. Basically the first big payday is the signing bonus after being drafted if you are a high draft pick. Then you make peanuts in the minors until you get called up to the majors. Then you make what the team wants to pay you for the first 3 years after you start accruing service time in the majors. Then you reach the arbitration years where the players representatives and the teams present argument in front of an arbitrator who sets the salary for the arbitration years, and then after 3 arbitration years, the player reaches free agency and can negotiate with any team and get paid their fair market value. For any year after the arbitration years a player is not under contract they are a free agent and can sign with any team. If a player and a team can agree to a contract they can avoid the arbitration process, but because teams have all the power at this point usually the contracts are team friendly. Getting the big money requires a player making it to the majors, getting to his arbitration years, getting past those years to free agency and being good enough at that point to make teams want to give them a massive contract.
Matt, one of my friends played in the major leagues for parts of seven years (14 years total), and I followed his career closely. Your anecdotes really resonate. The call ups and send downs, the moves back and forth from the 25 man to the 40 man roster, the DFAs, the phantom DL, the movement from one franchise to another, the independent league option-my buddy (and I, vicariously) lived all that. The only thing you apparently missed was a Rule 5 designation. Professional sports are a dog eat dog world, no doubt about it. I really enjoy your videos, especially your candor about you own career.
Had to be a little heartbreaking coming to the realization that your player career was over before you wanted it to be, but very happy for you that you're still in the game!
Awesome story man, I just randomly stumbled across your channel and I’m really digging these videos! It was always my dream to play professional baseball, but somewhere along the way I gave up hope and decided to join the Army. I did get an opportunity to play semi-pro baseball in Texas a few years back and absolutely loved it, pitching against a few AA and AAA guys... in a weird kind of way I felt like I got to live my childhood dream. Subscribed!
Very interesting idea! My hand actually is ok. It gets sore if I hit too many fungos lol. I can't really swing full speed anymore or it will hurt. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Everybody has "what ifs" in life, but I'm sorry yours kept you from reaching that MLB pinnacle. Best of luck in baseball and life, Matt. You lived a dream many of us have only dreamed.
Man, I could listen to this dude talk about baseball all day.
Thanks!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Yes sir
I agree, I knew some former MLB players , they had some great stories, so much more insight.
Same
Then do it
What a nice guy. An ex pro ball player who is now a coach. What an authentic, and genuine, guy. It seems like this is exactly the type of people who should be coaching young college athletes.
Thanks!
The fact that you were still on so many team's radar showed you had skills even when injured. More importantly you made it to the majors. So many fall through the cracks, or succumb to injuries waaay before then.
Thanks!!!
This is a total absence of ego. Love the honesty and self-awareness. Forget baseball-too bad there aren’t a ton more PEOPLE like this in the world. ✌️
"Stunk" is mighty relative... It takes real talent to even be drafted for a Major League team, let alone the experience of having been called up.
I don't think you have anything to be ashamed of, and you probably didn't stink. You got hurt and you were never able to completely recover. I'm not familiar with your career to comment on it, but I have seen similar scenarios unfold for others, guys with serious talent who's full potential will never be known.
I think it takes a real man to walk away from the thing you love in your own best interest. Baseball is still blessing you with a career today.
Stunk relative to active MLB players.
Be proud of where you did go in your career, Matt. I was a .454 JUCO All-American hitter and 44th player picked and did not ever get the chance to make it to "The Show". Just remember all of the boys and men who have dreamed to just be on the field of dreams we have rounded the bases on!
If someone is not a well known MLB player, people might think that they are bad. But being in the MLB means that you are the best of the best. You taught me a lot of good tips. Love your videos Matt!
Yep. Not just physically (5 tools), but healthy and fortunate as well. Many highly gifted, hard-working athletes do not have an MLB career ahead of them. So many ways to fail and wrists, knees, etc. don't always cooperate.
I watch a lot of AA games, and realize all those players are the top of the top, and yet so very few rack up 10 WAR (3 decent seasons) in the SHOW.
Man I'm sorry about those injuries... seems like you got screwed out of an mlb career
Thanks I appreciate it!
Antonelli Baseball the fact that you were a first round draft pick means your better than a like 99% of people
It's really tough to get to the top and stay there. It isn't enough to just be good; you also have to have luck on your side at some point or another. Look at Jurickson Profar. Four, five years ago he was the number one prospect in baseball, beating out guys like Bogaerts, Oscar Taveras, Miguel Sano, Wil Myers, etc. And that wasn't unjustified hype; Profar had a combination of premium abilities at a premium position with amazingly advanced discipline at the plate that put him legitimately ahead of pretty much anyone else in the minors at that time. Then he suffers a major shoulder injury, misses basically two years of very important development time at like 21-22, and now can't stick pretty much anywhere. He's never had the same kind of pop since the injuries, and the time away seems to have really taken something out of his game. For Mr. Antonelli, missing all that time and only being able to play intermittently had to have had a deleterious affect on his actual baseball skills, if not his tools. If you can't practice, it's hard to maintain. And wrist and hand injuries are notoriously slow to come back to strength, as well.
Poor luck with injuries -- or even just bad timing with when you play well and when you don't coming up -- have derailed plenty of careers over the years. It definitely sucks, but it just proves how narrow the gap you have to shoot is in order to get to the highest level of the game.
Ill tell ya buddy I'm 54 I played ball for 10 years and of the 10 I picked for 6 played short 3rd left right lol I truly understand the way you fill sorry about your luck man but boy is like to have had that chance I also know that you went through a rough time with dealing with the public relation part of it. I would have like to have seen you play buddy but everyone's not cut out for the game of baseball u had a stretch thow
To bad it wasn't longer and we may have seen ya in the hall .. Good luck to ya always and take care . ya even have that baseball name .....
Todd Denino sometimes no matter how,much ya wanna,play or do anything the pain,is there and sometimes unbearable pain
I like how you are able to talk about this stuff objectively. You weren't making excuses for your actions; you owned up to them but also recognized the difficulties you had along the way. I always tell people there is a difference between a reason and an excuse. You provided reasons for your baseball career coming to an end and I really appreciate the way you're able to put aside your pride (something many people can't do) and just be honest about what happened. I'm sorry it didn't work out but it seems to me like you're in a good spot now, and you're helping a lot of people in ways that maybe you wouldn't have had the opportunity to if things had worked out a bit differently. Keep up the great videos man! I wish you the best of luck.
Hey thanks a bunch!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
How many of us would LOVE to say we got a hit off Greg Maddox. Holy cow. You're so lucky, Matt, while at the same time being so unlucky with that dang persistent injury. At least all those years of hard work got you in the majors, which most guys dream about from age 4 through 104! Love your channel.
Really cool to get this behind the scenes look. Doing us baseball lovers a service!
Thanks!!!
Dude I can’t remember the last time I saw such a honest and heartfelt video. My dad played in AAA for years and never got called up so I realize baseball can be a bitch. It was really refreshing to see you be so candid and open about your experience. I just discovered your videos today and really enjoy watching them.
Knew the story. You were set to do great things. But life happens, and there's always a reason. You're in a position to help shape kids on and off the field and will do great things for so many people.
Thanks!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
You seem like a genuinely nice guy. Love your videos (played ball my whole life through HS) and I rarely see anyone on RUclips try and answer all their fan questions/comments. Keep doing what ya' do!
Thanks!!!
Your level of humility is what raises this channel to the next level, and incredibly admirable.
Love it. Dude, your candidness should be taken note from EVERY major publication. You are building the guideline to MLB for thousands of hopefuls. This is a niche in RUclips that hasn't been filled and you are doing it. Keep it coming.
Thanks so much I appreciate it!!
Just staying in the major leagues and healthy through 162 games is a feat in and of itself. I think guys like Ripken must have been superhuman , lol
I agree. No clue how anyone can do it! Thanks for watching and commenting!
baseball is a least physical sport....... this guy just has unlucky genes..... just like that basketball player for the celtics that keeps tearing his acl in both knees.... after getting hurt that much i would have just stopped and found a different route
They catered to Ripen...
@@dubb9020 go back to your video game.
du Bb go swing a bat as hard as you can a few thousand times and get back to me about your hips and shoulders and knees and wrists. Its not impact as football, for example. But this sport can destroy your joints and fast.
Truly takes a ton of talent to get drafted by an MLB team. The fact that you made it to the big league level is a testament to your talent and tremendous work ethic. Thank you for sharing your story. Much success to you and family.
Love how honest you are. Thanks Matt. My son watches your videos and takes to heart what you talk about.
Thanks so much!!!
Alex is a clown
Alex 180SX dude idk why but this had me dead was it supposed to be a joke
Alex 180SX get him alex
This post is almost 2 years old but I want to commend you on making this video. It probably wasn't easy to make a video explaining your deficiencies on social media or to anyone for that matter. It takes some serious stones to do that. Although one door has probably closed for you, others have opened not only for you, but for thousands around the world. My son who is 9 has gotten tons of useful advice from your videos and has even passed that knowledge down to his teammates. For that I thank you. Keep up the good work. ⚾️
What is dugout life like when you aren't starting a game?
Gonna make a video on that! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Sitting, chewing gum, or chewing sunflower seeds. LOL
You forgot spitting. There is no game in the world that even comes close to the amount of spitting as in baseball. Grab crotch then spit.
Dugout life might be learning from the coaches and paying attention to the game to get ready to be a coach after you get out of baseball whether you make it to the big leagues or not
Lame
Pretty much what happens to about 90% of ppl who ever play at that level. Appreciate your honesty. Just found your channel and really enjoy it. Its amazing as you work up the tiers how the levels of separation occur. You’re a better ball player even now than about 99% of all people who are out there trying to catch a big break. I just think its awesome that you were grinding all those years and kept popping your head in the door. Always giving maximum effort. You may not have accomplished all you would have liked, but you were still very successful because you gave it all you had. 👏🏼
Thanks so much I appreciate it!!! Thanks for watching!!
First MLB hit was off of HOF pitcher Greg Maddux!!!
Haha I got lucky! Thanks for watching and commenting!
By the way, I'm not even a real baseball fan. I'm a hockey fan my whole life but your story is fascinating. Good luck Matt. Can't be easy coming on RUclips and pouring this kind of personal info out.
Don't be so hard on yourself,and you are a great instructor and keep up your videos! You made the big leagues bro that's so awesome to experience,and you get tell stories that over 97% of us cannot in the World. Your MLB career was short live,but you did live your dream!⚾️
Thanks so much!!! Thanks so much for commenting and watching our videos!
Its amazing that you got to the majors and now are helping other players to play professionally. You're one of the greatest coaches I've seen and any major league team would be lucky to have you coaching their players.
Your very humble and seem like a good guy! So little amount of people even make it to triple a so be proud!
Thanks a bunch!!!
Dude, you MADE it!!! You will live forever as an entry in the Baseball Encyclopedia, one of the most elite clubs in the world
Thanks so much!!! Thanks for watching our vids and commenting!
This entire Q & A series is incredibly fascinating, thank you for doing it.
Interesting story Matt, my dad got called by Detroit to try out when he graduated from High School. They said he was a good player, 2 & short, but his wrists were too small. He got a few nibbles after that, but Dec. 7, 1941 came and pretty much ended his hopes. Coached youth and high school ball for 20+ years after that and was always an avid (rabid?) fan til the the day he died. Hearing your troubles with your wrist brought back many memories of hot summer days at a ball park with him. Thanks.
This is rapidly becoming my favorite channel lol. I do know the feeling about not being able to stay healthy though. It's very frustrating!
Thanks! And I agree very frustrating!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
My 8 year old son absolutely loves the ins and outs of baseball. He can't get enough of listening to you talk about the behind the scenes stuff. Thanks!
That is great! Tell him thanks for watching!!!
It is amazing how everyone has a “story of my life” and the twists & turns that life takes. We make the choices which account for a majority of our consequences however; “circumstances” that are out of our control like health play their role as well. Love the channel and the content.
You seem very humble I'm just getting into you're videos tonight. Anyone that's gotten called up to the bigs obviously has some sort of talent whatever it is on the field but as well as discipline. Just the fact you were in the minors and drafted showed you already succeeded man. That takes nothing but hard work and discipline like I said before. Mad respect cause I know I couldn't keep up with the grind for a while. Now you're contributing to other people success in college ball. That's the life. You're in the history books man. You got a hit in the majors think about that. Goodstuff
Thanks a bunch!!!
The more I hear stories from former professional athletes, the more I realize how much professional sports suck. People think it's so great and it probably is for the guys that can stay legitimately healthy but it just doesn't seem like a good trade off to me. These organizations are crap, well in baseball and football anyways. I don't have any friends who played in the NBA. Thanks for sharing because this really gives many casual fans the real story behind the scenes on what you guys go through chasing your dreams.
In the NBA most 2nd round picks are not in the league in three years and only about half 1st round picks have a decent career.
I love the honesty in your videos. Most other dudes would find a way to exaggerate past experiences but you keep it real. Much respect bro!
Thanks!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I enjoyed your honesty and insight on being a pro player.
Thank you!!! Thanks for watching our videos and for commenting!!!
Wow. The fact that you can even say "I was on a Major League roster" is mind-blowing. Many people just fail to realize how amazingly hard it is to make it to the Majors. They only accept the absolute best of the best , of the best. Baseball is a skill sport, just like golf. You either have "it" or you don't. Not like basketball and football, where athleticism alone can get you on a roster. I can really appreciate your candor.
Thanks so much! Thanks for watching and commenting!
As a fan of baseball it’s really enlightening to hear what happens to really good young players and the injuries. Great channel.
Thank you!!! Thanks so much for watching our videos and I appreciate you commenting!!
I cannot imagine being so close to a dream like that, I'm sure it took a while to come to terms with your situation. More power to you for taking that situation and turning it into a fantastic channel.
Thanks!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!!
Man, you could have ignored that question, but I salute you for squaring up and giving an answer.
I never played beyond Little League, but I learned then and have seen it borne out since that Baseball is a humbling game. Once you get bit, you're hooked for life but the rollercoaster ride isn't always fun.
Congratulations on landing on your feet - you're blessed. Keep sharing your great info and insight, and thank you.
Wow thats a really tuff story to listen too! "Strong physically strong mentally" when the body fails us, usually the mind isn't too far behind! Thank you for sharing, great attitude!
Thanks so much I appreciate that! Thanks so much for watching and commenting!
I love your videos Mr.Antonelli! Thanks so much for informing us on MLB life and interacting with all of the viewers :) It's awesome to have an MLB player personally answering our questions!
Thanks!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks for telling your story and helping young players on the realities of the game. I'm so excited to hear you and inspired by your candor and humility. May you have continued success as a coach. God bless.
Hey Matt, I literally just subscribed. Love the honesty and your self-deprecating humour. It's funny how being in your 30s give you a sense of perspective where you can appreciated the good with the bad. Looking forward to watching some more videos. P.S. your K/BB ratios looked great in the minor's you don't see that in the game anymore.
It's awesome to see someone from Mass get into the big leagues! Best of luck to whatever happens to you in your future! Stay positive man
Thanks so much!!!
Theres been quite a few
I remember you from back in the Portland Beavers days up here, I still think that I have your rookie card from '08 Bowman somewhere, good times.
Haha that's awesome! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thank you for sharing such a personally difficult story with such honesty. As a fantasy baseball freak since the early 90's I watched your minor league career and was certain you were an All-Star in the future. Nothing more difficult than hand/wrist injuries, they seem so minor but affect so much. You seem really happy with the way things are going now. I'm happy for you.
Love your videos Matt. Thanks for sharing 🤘
Thanks a ton! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I’m so sad to hear about your injuries. I’m also so happy that you have a great calling to help others play better with your training videos.
I appreciate your honesty in your vids.You made it to the show,farther then the 99.99%
thanks for ur honest videos
Thanks for watching!!
Absolutely love your transparency man...probably doesn't feel that great to know you were so close but injuries curtailed everything. Appreciate the insight.
Thanks for sharing your story. Best wishes.
Thanks a bunch!!!
Your injury stories is similar to mine. Except mine was with my lower back. Ended my career. Didn’t feel right again for 14 years. I’m just now starting to feel some what normal. Nagging injuries will kill your career/favorite thing to do pretty quickly. I give you a lot of respect for trying to work through the many injuries as many times as you did. It’s very frustrating. Glad you’re doing well now. Cheers.
Great video I love watching all of them this is a great channel I'm really happy I found it
Thanks for watching!!!
Thank you for your very candid explanation. No excuses. You did the very best you could do. No one can fault you for lack of effort. Anyone who has spent one day on a big league roster will always be a big leaguer in my book, regardless of results.
Thanks!!! I appreciate that!
Were you ever star struck in any of the MLB organizations you played being around the superstar players and do you have any interesting nightlife stories as a player or any cities that have any interesting attributes outside of baseball? Former MLB player Eric Chavez said that Toronto had one of the best nightlife environments
At first maybe a little bit but you get used to it after a while. I'd say most of the major cities in the league have good nightlife. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Your best attribute is your ability to overcome, adapt and move forward. You will help a lot of kids in similar situations. Good luck to you, sir.
Thanks!!!
I would have traded places with you. Closest I got to MLB was two open tryouts with the Reds. Thanks for sharing.
BTW - if you haven’t read the book Ball Four by Jim Bouton, you should, it’s about MLB in the early 60’s. See how things have changed, or not.😄
Ur an amazing talent. My friend led a major D1 team in HRs this season and is a great player. And no one drafted him so his career is essentially over. So the fact that u made it and hung in high level minors for so long shows u were In the top 1%. It ended for some after high school and some after college.
Ahh, padres lost a good one. Injuries suck. Especially tommy John 😅
Thanks!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@AntonelliBaseball I REMEMBER YOU WHEN YOU PLAYED FOR MY HOME CITY OF EUGENE IN NWL.
So to get as far as you did in MLB considering all the weird injuries, I wouldn’t say you stunk it up. Yes at the Show ya gotta perform, but if your injured and can’t hold the bat it is what it is. It’s unfortunate, possibly congenital hand issues that accelerated due to being at a higher level. Man love the stories and the background of minor and major league ball. Much success with your career going forward!
When did you start to notice your skills were higher than others your age?
I never really thought my skills were better than others. Others did certain things better than me. I always knew I was a pretty good player, but never really realized I stood out much from others. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Trevor Nelson b
BenRobinson TV c
@@joem3343 e
Really appreciate you sharing your story, what some may view as failure are just the doors to future successes opening!!!
Hey Matt love your videos. You should make a video showing your jerseys and gear that you were given
Thanks! And will do!
Brian Semmann pleaseee!!!
So glad I found your channel! my little brother, who is a shortstop, plays with 12 year olds at the tender age of 9. I've already looked at a few of your videos and they'll elevate his game completely. thanks again.
Thanks!!! I appreciate you watching!
Hamate broke in my hand also.. sad but god is good and it healed 🙏🏽
Good! Yes it is a pain but nice when it heals up properly! Thanks for watching and commenting!
You're a great man. Being this honest and real is very refreshing. I really admire you, probably more than most people that I admire and follow. I truly hope that you are happy and enjoying life, because you definitely have some of the major keys to a successful life. Hope that all makes sense. Strong admiration for you brother.
wow first time I've heard of the phantom DL
These videos are great. This was a dream gone by for me, so watching these videos and listening to your insight about the different levels of pro-ball has been incredibly satisfying. Thank you for putting these up!
Thanks!!! I appreciate you watching!!
I feel like Greg Bird from the yanks is going through something like this.
Dude looked like he was going to be a solid 1B
You Sir answered even question I wanted to know about baseball thanks.
The Cleveland situation is interesting. Makes me wonder why they signed you to begin with, if they never intended on playing you even in the minors.
I grew up Brockton, MA didn’t even know who this guy was. But definitely recognize that accent! Thank you for all these videos man! You definitely bring the complexities of baseball down to a simple Level for everybody to understand.
+Antonelli Baseball Wrist/any hand injury injuries seem to be the worst possible thing to happen to a hitter. Aaron Hill's and many others careers were never the same after their hand injuries.
Damn man, that’s terrible. Nothing is more frustrating than being that close to your dream and having your body break down. Nothing you can do about it. Thank you for sharing this; you’re a good man.
Thanks Adam!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!!
Matt: like, this is not a joke
Also Matt: starts giggling
Love his honesty with everything. The times he wasn't playing well he admitted it. And it sucks that sounded like if he could stay healthy he would have had a solid career. Good contact hitter, didn't strike out alot and a solid 2nd basement
Do most minor league players have a backup plan for work in case baseball never works out?
Most do not! They try to figure it all out once things don't work out lol
Matt, that's really unfortunate all the injury issues you had. Sounds like you've accepted it and moved on. Not sure how easily I could have done that. Glad you were able to do that. Thanks for the videos.
Hey thanks a bunch!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Hey Rookie...you were good.
Haha thanks! Thanks for watching our stuff and commenting!
I've seen similar stories through my own "career". So many guys wind up getting injuries. Honest videos. Just discovered your channel. Nice job.
Thanks!!
Just a follow up to another question if you didn't see already what's the process of getting a milestone ball from a fan like a 1st HR ball?
That video is coming tomorrow! Thanks for watching and commenting!
Great channel answering all the questions that I have had in my head for years as a lifetime baseball fan.
If you had an axe handle bat back then you wouldn't have messed up that hamate bone
Possibly not!
Pope Ricardo Pianus V% Nattalian Priest is it proven it takes pressure off your wrist? I had to sit out for a couple weeks and experience bad soreness sometimes when I swing
Do they make those handles on wood bats?
Harold Gilbert ya they do
Axe is a game changer, literally.
Hey, you're not my son, but I want you too know how much I think of you for being straight forward and honest about a dream coming true (Getting to the majors)...but then not having it play out as the rest of the dream goes. Very mature and comfortable with yourself. I'm proud of you. Great character. YOU got to where most folks NEVER have gotten. What an incredible live experience for those many years, learning how to deal with adversity. You have learned more than you would have, had it been easy and more dreamlike for you. Now you're better prepared for real life. Keep up your wonderful attitude. I'm rooting' for ya.
What clothes come in your locker room and what free stuff do you get?
I made a little video on that a few weeks ago if you can find it. Thanks for watching and commenting!
Watching this video during 2020 covid quarantine. Baseball is on hold but enjoying your videos. I appreciate your honesty and critique of yourself with no hubris. keep up the work you're doing because your insight provides invaluable information.
Hey Matt how does health insurance work in professional ball?
If you are an active player you are covered with very good insurance. Thanks for watching and commenting!
if you play or in the mlb roster 25 man roster you will be given a insurance and retierment fund
Hi.
First, sorry about all of the injuries. Too bad - sounds like you would have been really good at the Major League level!
As for this video - well done. You took us through your entire pro career in a very methodical and interesting way.
Hoping you and your family are well, and I hope you are blessed in your coaching career.
God Bless...
At least your getting paid for being injured right?
Captain C yea but if minor leaguers were in it for the money then they wouldn’t be playing in there minors
@@ripkobe248 yea, that's why many minor leaguers have two jobs (or three)
Baseball money is amazing on the back end. Upfront it’s worse than the nba and nfl.
Basically the first big payday is the signing bonus after being drafted if you are a high draft pick.
Then you make peanuts in the minors until you get called up to the majors. Then you make what the team wants to pay you for the first 3 years after you start accruing service time in the majors. Then you reach the arbitration years where the players representatives and the teams present argument in front of an arbitrator who sets the salary for the arbitration years, and then after 3 arbitration years, the player reaches free agency and can negotiate with any team and get paid their fair market value.
For any year after the arbitration years a player is not under contract they are a free agent and can sign with any team. If a player and a team can agree to a contract they can avoid the arbitration process, but because teams have all the power at this point usually the contracts are team friendly.
Getting the big money requires a player making it to the majors, getting to his arbitration years, getting past those years to free agency and being good enough at that point to make teams want to give them a massive contract.
Matt, one of my friends played in the major leagues for parts of seven years (14 years total), and I followed his career closely. Your anecdotes really resonate. The call ups and send downs, the moves back and forth from the 25 man to the 40 man roster, the DFAs, the phantom DL, the movement from one franchise to another, the independent league option-my buddy (and I, vicariously) lived all that. The only thing you apparently missed was a Rule 5 designation. Professional sports are a dog eat dog world, no doubt about it. I really enjoy your videos, especially your candor about you own career.
Do you still get paid a major league salary while on the 40 man roster?
That's what I'm thinking
Had to be a little heartbreaking coming to the realization that your player career was over before you wanted it to be, but very happy for you that you're still in the game!
Thanks and definitely was! Thanks for watching and commenting!
has anyone ever noticed that his logo is the old astros logo tilted to the side?
Jonas Lasater yes lol
God bless you Matt, I got hope for you playing in the majors again!
You probably needed deep leg massage to release knee tendons.
That sounds good!!! Thanks for watching our stuff!!!
Happy ending included?
Awesome story man, I just randomly stumbled across your channel and I’m really digging these videos! It was always my dream to play professional baseball, but somewhere along the way I gave up hope and decided to join the Army. I did get an opportunity to play semi-pro baseball in Texas a few years back and absolutely loved it, pitching against a few AA and AAA guys... in a weird kind of way I felt like I got to live my childhood dream. Subscribed!
Thanks!!! And thanks for sharing!!
How's your hand now? Or maybe a run-down of a post MLB body/injuries a few years later would also make for a good video?
Very interesting idea! My hand actually is ok. It gets sore if I hit too many fungos lol. I can't really swing full speed anymore or it will hurt. Thanks for watching and commenting!
I am a doctor......try Liquid Bio Cell........it is a collagen-HA supplement that heals fractures in half the time.....Dr Richard Gaines, DC
Everybody has "what ifs" in life, but I'm sorry yours kept you from reaching that MLB pinnacle. Best of luck in baseball and life, Matt. You lived a dream many of us have only dreamed.