Champion Hopkins passes wisdom along to Phils

Share

Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Posted: 7:30 p.m.

By Jay Greenberg
CSNPhilly.com Contributor

Bernard Hopkins last baseball experience?

I was 13 years old on Broad Street, chasing somebody with a bat, he said.

He gave up the part of the game with the ball in seventh grade. Try to hit it, too? he said. I was just trying to duck.

Therefore, the former champion and ageless wonder was not in the Phillies' locker room Wednesday afternoon to give them a scouting report on John Lackey, but to deliver some basic, heartfelt, cross-sport inspiration.

In 08, when I was here for a game, I stuck my head in Charlies (Manuel) door, said Hopkins. Fast forward, I was on Comcast right after my May 21 (lightweight title) fight (with Jean Pascal in Montreal), Charlie heard me speak about certain things and it hit a chord with him.

He heard me speak about how I invest in my body and in my business. He reached out and its easy to reach Bernard Hopkins, you dont have to go through 100 people. You can catch me on Broad Street at Whole Foods by myself. He got me.

Anything for a little boost at the halfway point of a long season, Manuel invited Hopkins, currently the oldest46 years and four monthstitlist in boxing history, to speak to the boys about the importance of going the distance.

I told them to concentrate on the long haul, recounted Hopkins. Stay focused. There are going to be rough times. Stay close like a track runner, when it's time to pull up front, in the playoffs be hungry, starving.

I never got caught up in the star mentality. To me the stars are in the sky. Im still down here. Do you know how many fighters have lost fights because they read who they were supposed to beat? Mike Tyson did to Buster Douglas. I dont care if a team is 0-what do they have to lose.

Maybe Charlie should have held the invitation until the Cubs came in, not the Red Sox, but regardless a manager, ever vigilant against complacency said it was well received.

I think our guys enjoyed it, said Manuel. Pretty positive guy.

He talked about what it takes to win. Pretty good, really.

E-mail Jay Greenberg at jayg616@aol.com.

Contact Us