2025-02-15, 05:10 PM - Word count:
It was an absolute shock to the system when my manager called to tell me that I - George Shaheen from the nascent little village of Hamat, Lebanon - was going to be named the SSL Minor League Rookie of the Year.
To tell the truth, I thought the message was intended as one last, epic chance for the club to get a bit of rookie hazing in on me now that I am graduating from fledgling status in the clubhouse to veteran returner. I thanked my manager. I told them I was honored. But I didn't exclaim. I didn't cheer. And when I hung up the phone, I went about my day. I didn't even bother to watch the season awards ceremony. I knew my "honor" had been a joke. I had had a solid season, sure, but I had not led any statistical categories. I had not set the SSL minor league world on fire. I had been a part of a terrifically dominant team, but I was not its star. I was not its propeller. I was a cog in the machine. I did my job. I did it well. But I didn't feel like I shined brighter than other rookie stars in the league who scored more goals, led more charges directly, and were greater focal points - and likely more individually valuable - to their organizations.
Then - the night of the awards ceremony and official announcements - my phone absolutely started blowing up. And not from teammates. From family, friends, and media representatives alike. At first, the noise confused me. I had to double-think to remember it had been awards day. And once I did, I raced to flip on the television and find my smiling, still-imaged face staring back at me.
George Shaheen. SSL Minor League Rookie of the Year. An honor I am truly not worthy of. But one I will truly cherish.
Thank you to the fans for everything you gave back to me during S18 as I tried to give you all I could. Thank you to my teammates for always putting me in the right position to look successful, even if it was ultimately you who were scoring the goals, making the right plays on the break, and helping our team just win games.
Most importantly though, thank you to my family. For without your sacrifices - allowing me to spurn the family business and travel the world even as a kid to chase a silly little sports dream - this certainly would not have been possible. And for you and your sacrifices, I will make sure this award is no aberration. That I will continue to succeed and make you proud every day for the player and person that I am.
I cannot wait to lace up my cleats for S19. The encore will be greater than the premiere.
To tell the truth, I thought the message was intended as one last, epic chance for the club to get a bit of rookie hazing in on me now that I am graduating from fledgling status in the clubhouse to veteran returner. I thanked my manager. I told them I was honored. But I didn't exclaim. I didn't cheer. And when I hung up the phone, I went about my day. I didn't even bother to watch the season awards ceremony. I knew my "honor" had been a joke. I had had a solid season, sure, but I had not led any statistical categories. I had not set the SSL minor league world on fire. I had been a part of a terrifically dominant team, but I was not its star. I was not its propeller. I was a cog in the machine. I did my job. I did it well. But I didn't feel like I shined brighter than other rookie stars in the league who scored more goals, led more charges directly, and were greater focal points - and likely more individually valuable - to their organizations.
Then - the night of the awards ceremony and official announcements - my phone absolutely started blowing up. And not from teammates. From family, friends, and media representatives alike. At first, the noise confused me. I had to double-think to remember it had been awards day. And once I did, I raced to flip on the television and find my smiling, still-imaged face staring back at me.
George Shaheen. SSL Minor League Rookie of the Year. An honor I am truly not worthy of. But one I will truly cherish.
Thank you to the fans for everything you gave back to me during S18 as I tried to give you all I could. Thank you to my teammates for always putting me in the right position to look successful, even if it was ultimately you who were scoring the goals, making the right plays on the break, and helping our team just win games.
Most importantly though, thank you to my family. For without your sacrifices - allowing me to spurn the family business and travel the world even as a kid to chase a silly little sports dream - this certainly would not have been possible. And for you and your sacrifices, I will make sure this award is no aberration. That I will continue to succeed and make you proud every day for the player and person that I am.
I cannot wait to lace up my cleats for S19. The encore will be greater than the premiere.
