Problem Child Becomes Mentor

Kevin Mitchell, the surprise rookie on the 1986 World Champion New York Mets, who was traded after the 1986 season because the Mets were afraid he "was a bad influence on Dwight and Darryl" - is now playing the role of 'Mentor.' Mitchell, who grew up in a rough area of San Diego, who was part of gangs as youngster, once said that baseball saved his life. If memory serves, he was even shot (before his pro baseball career).

Now Mitchell is back in San Diego, and is mentoring a high school student who Mitchell says, "He's in high school, a great athlete, but he's with bad kids off the field. Got to get him before he turns the wrong way."

Mitchell, now 47, was known for a bad temper and the ability to hand out a whole bunch of 'whoop ass.' How can we forget that famous brawl in Cincinnati? It took at least four Reds to corral Mitchell, and he was still looking to take someone out. Now, ironically, Mitchell is trying to teach youngsters through his experiences that there is another way. He now volunteers at a non-profit foundation called Athletes For Education.

Mitchell says, “I have been blessed by the “Man” upstairs to be in a position as a professional athlete to give back and I feel it’s my obligation to share my life’s experiences with them to hopefully encourage them to make smart choices in their lives… I feel the good Lord has given me a second chance to help our youth… "I want to talk to them before they start making all this money," Mitchell says. "Don't go through the same trip I did. Don't hang out. Anything there is, I've been through it. I could be a great example to them."

Mitchell felt he got a bum rap for being considered a bad influence on Gooden and Strawberry: "In New York, they used me as a scapegoat for them," Mitchell says. "I was the bad seed, they said. But those guys were already in the big leagues and I'm a rookie and I'm telling them what to do? There's no way."

Mitchell also fought with teammates and managers, to which he now says he never realized how hard the job of manager is. He did manage an independent team, and while attending the 20th anniversary of the 1989 World Series NY Giants, he sought out former manager Roger Craig and apologized "for all that stuff I put you through."

Mitchell's life turned around in 1998 when he felt listless and lost nearly 50 lbs. in a three week period. He was starting to have problems with his vision. Mitchell was checked out, and was diagnosed with Diabetes. "The diabetes woke me up," Mitchell says. "I think the man upstairs has another plan for me, working with kids. The doctors said I could've died. It's changed my life."

What a benefit Mitchell can be for young kids who might be tempted to turn down the wrong path. Mitchell, who had a respectable Major League Career, hitting 234 HR's, says, "My career wasn't good enough. I'm not satisfied with it. I could've gone a long way in this game - without cheating (using steroids). I wanted to play a long time and I feel like they weeded me out of the league."

Sources: Anthony Mccarron - NY Daily News and Athletes For Education