My Journey in Baseball and Beyond
If you asked me what I did in my final game of my career, I couldn’t tell you. It was in Round Rock, Texas, and until now, 10 years later, I haven’t really talked about my life in baseball. I don’t even recall the at-bats or whether we won the game. The only memory I have is a picture of me and my first son, Cohen, on the field. My wife, Stephanie, knew that this could be the end, so she took the picture. It’s the perfect reminder of where I was at that moment—standing between the life I had always known and the unknown future ahead of me.
Growing up in Washington state, sports were a way of life for me, but baseball was always at the center of my heart. Some of my earliest memories are filled with dreams of stepping onto a Major League Baseball field, wearing a big-league jersey, and hearing the crowd cheer. But I quickly learned that getting there would take more than just dreaming. It would take relentless work, perseverance, and faith in something greater than myself.
The Early Years
As a kid, I was a good athlete, but I wasn’t always the strongest or fastest. In high school, things began to click. I earned a spot on the varsity team as a freshman and saw steady improvement year after year. I worked hard—day in, day out—knowing that no success comes without sacrifice. That hard work paid off when I earned a full scholarship to play baseball at the University of Washington, fulfilling my dream of becoming a Husky.
College and the Pan Am Games
I joined the Huskies in 2003, eager to prove myself. I didn’t have a starting role initially, but I was willing to play anywhere just to hit. When my coach asked me to start in center field, I jumped at the opportunity. That season, I thrived. I came close to winning Freshman of the Year—runner-up by a single vote because another player hit a few more home runs.
That year opened even more doors. I made the USA Baseball National Team and competed in the Pan Am Games. It was a surreal experience—playing alongside some of the best talent in the country, traveling to places like the Dominican Republic, and even winning a silver medal. For the first time, I caught a glimpse of what life in the Big Leagues could be like.
The Big Leagues and Big Moments
In 2005, I was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the fourth round. My journey through the minor leagues wasn’t easy, but I worked my way up. In 2007, I got “the call.” The Atlanta Braves were bringing me to the Major Leagues. It was a moment I’ll never forget—the culmination of years of hard work, late nights, and early mornings.
That same year, I married my high school sweetheart, Stephanie. She had been my biggest supporter from day one. Stephanie put her own career dreams on hold so we could navigate the ups and downs of professional baseball together. Baseball is a grind—months of travel, games every day, and constant pressure—but having her by my side made it all worthwhile.
Throughout my MLB career, I faced challenges many players know well: getting traded, fighting for roster spots, and never quite locking down a starting role. My time with the White Sox was a turning point. After a tough first season, hitting coach Greg Walker encouraged me to train with Craig Wallenbrock. That offseason, I poured everything I had into rediscovering my swing and refining my approach to the game. It paid off. The following years brought some of the best seasons of my career, and for the first time, I truly believed I belonged in the Majors.
A New Chapter Begins
In 2014, I found myself at a crossroads. I was playing in the minors, away from my family, and my passion for the game started to wane. Baseball had been my job, my identity, for so long. But when you stop waking up excited to get better, you know something has to change.
Stephanie and I spent a lot of time in prayer. She told me, “If you’re not 100% in, let’s not do this anymore.” She was right. With two young kids and another on the way, I knew it was time to hang up my cleats and step into the unknown. Stepping away from baseball was difficult, but it came with a deep sense of peace.
Building Something Bigger
With no steady income, a growing family, and no clear path ahead, I was at a turning point. I knew I wanted to stay connected to baseball, but I wasn’t sure how. I went back to the University of Washington to finish my degree, and during that time, I started giving baseball lessons. It started small—one kid, one family at a time. Slowly, word spread, and I began mentoring more young athletes.
I joined forces with Mitch Canham, who shared my passion for mentoring kids holistically—mentally, spiritually, and physically. Together, we started Base by Pros. We weren’t just teaching baseball; we were investing in young people and preparing them for life beyond the game.
In 2020, Steven Souza Jr. joined the team. Together, we pushed through the challenges of a pandemic, reimagining programs that would serve families better than ever. Today, thousands of young athletes walk through our doors every year, and I’m amazed at how far we’ve come.
Faith, Family, and Fulfillment
Reflecting on my journey, I see God’s hand at every step. I had opportunities to take a safer path, to chase comfort and security. Instead, I chose to take a step of faith—trusting God to guide me through uncertainty.
Our mission at Base by Pros is simple but powerful: to help athletes become the best version of themselves, on and off the field. We pray over our community, our programs, and every athlete who comes through our doors. I hope that when they leave, they know they were loved, valued, and pushed to achieve their very best.
Live in the Moment
If there’s one lesson I’ve learned, it’s this: live fully in the moment. You can’t control tomorrow, but you can give everything you have today. Whether you’re 8, 18, or 48, chase your calling with everything in you. Don’t let fear keep you from taking risks.
At the end of the day, success isn’t measured by titles or trophies but by the impact you have on others. I don’t care if the whole world knows my name. If I can make a difference in one kid’s life, that’s a win.
Love what you do, and pour everything you have into it. You might not know where the journey will take you, but trust that it’s worth the risk. God has a plan for your life—one far greater than you can imagine. Walk in faith, trust His lead, and enjoy every step of the adventure.
– Brent Lillibridge
