 He taught me patience and control, and I carried those lessons with me throughout my career. Maurer thanked his family. His father and grandfather taught him the game. His mother, he said, was the best athlete in the family. She taught him humility and to always have fun. At the end of his speech, Maurer also paused to acknowledge the significance of the moment. To stand here today and say that I'm now a small part of baseball's history is a statement that will never fully sink in for me.