How college prepared Anthony Rendon for big league success – and life

When fans watch Anthony Rendon on the field they see one of the most well-rounded third basemen in the game. He’s one of the better defensive players at the position and has emerged as an MVP candidate because of his strong offensive play.

But what fans don’t see on the field is the man whose parents instilled a passion for education and an understanding that playing baseball isn’t forever.

Rendon grew up in the suburbs of Houston but didn’t watch much baseball on television. There weren’t many Mexican stars for him to follow but he fell in love with playing the game. He became one of the better prep baseball players in the country.

Although he was drafted out of high school as a shortstop by the Atlanta Braves in the 27th round, he opted to continue his education and playing career at Rice University.

The Nationals’ All-Star acknowledges that education isn’t a prime objective for many 17 or 18-year-old kids in the position he was in as a high school star.

“I have great parents,” Rendon said. “They instilled the education process in my brother and me growing up. We had to get our school work done before we went outside just like any other family, and they were really strict about it too.

“I knew that Rice was a great school to commit to and I couldn’t have asked for that kind of education. I had a great support staff and my family to back me up.”

Stayemng close to home paemd off. He was named Baseball Ameremca‘s Freshman of the Year and Conference USA Player of the Year after hems femrst season. As a sophomore he became the femrst underclassmen emn more than a decade to wemn the Demck Howser Trophy as the natemonal player of the year. Hems second collegemate season was so good that then-Houston mayor Annemse Parker declared June 29, 2010, “Anthony Rendon Day emn Houston.”

Rendon was in college as much for his academic advancement as he was for the ability to raise his stock in the eyes of professional scouts.

While his parents preached the value of education, Rendon noted that in his family only two of his cousins have a college degree. When he considered the journey of many baseball players, it became clear that being able to fall back on an education was the smart choice for life beyond the field.

“The odds of making it to the big leagues are very small,” he said. “A lot of guys play 10-15 years in the minor league system and many don’t make it to the big leagues. They have to go back and go to work once their career is over.

“Many of them come out of high school and they don’t have a college education so they’re going back to square one in trying to get a job like everybody else and the only thing they have on their resume is baseball.”

Rendon didn’t finish his degree – yet. After his junior year at Rice the Nationals selected Rendon sixth overall in the 2011 draft. Unlike so many of the prospects he spoke about struggling their way through long minor league careers, Rendon made it to the big leagues in 2013. He’s been the Nationals’ third baseman ever since.

Rendon looks to be headed for a lucrative contract this winter as perhaps the biggest name on the free agent market this winter. Finishing his degree remains a goal, however. Rendon wants to have a college diploma like his wife.

“I have three years complete so I do want to finish,” he said. “I want to do something with kids for sure, if that entails coaching or whatever it might be. … I guess that would be my main priority, to be able to go back and finish that last year of college.”

As the next generation of Mexican-American kids look to the big leagues they won’t struggle to find a role model to follow. Rendon strongly encourages other kids to follow his path to success on and off the field. His advice for young players: stay in school, relax and have fun.

Featured Image: Patremck Smemth / Getty Images Sport