Mota: 'Dream Big, and Do It the Right Way'

Student-athletes at Los Amigos got a special treat Thursday when they were greeted during sixth period by Angels radio broadcaster Jose Mota, who spoke to the about dreaming big, reaching high, and doing it all with dignity.

"I do this because even as a young child, my Dad Manny did a lot of these," Mota said. "He still does. So I'm used to coming and seeing the faces. I was one of them before. I was as student-athlete in high school and in college, and I know where they're thinking about. I know the challenges they're going through. I know the struggles they're going through, and I relate to that. I enjoy doing it because it's related to sports, and it's a reflection of life, a lot of things that happen in sports. I like to encourage them just to let them know that no matter where they're at right now, you've got to think big. You've got to do it with dignity. You've got to do it with honor. You've got to do it by working hard. There are plenty of opportunities out there if you work hard."

Mota, who was part of an NCAA national championship team at Cal State Fullerton and played five years in the major leagues before becoming a broadcaster, shared his story of going from a kid who studied only hard enough so that his parents would let him play ball, to becoming the college student who wanted nothing more than to prepare for life after baseball by getting his college degree.

Mota, who majored in communiation at Cal State Fullerton, told the students that he could very easily have become a broadcaster with or without a degree because of his background, but that he wanted to be a journalist who happened to be a former player rather than the other way around.

Mota encouraged the students to be their own best coaches, putting in extra work on the field, in school and at home, especially when no one was around to see them do it. He also reminded them that when they might feel picked on by a coach, that it's only because that coach cares about them and wants to see them succeed.

Mota who's garnered praise because of his prowess as a bilingual broadcaster, told the students about taking megastar Vladimir Guerrero under his wing when Guerrero came to the Angels as a free agent in 2004. Guerrero had a reputation for being difficult with the media, something Mota saw as a challenge in his role as a broadcaster and journalist. The two became close friends during Guerrero's six years with the club, just one of many connections he's made with Latin players, and one he enjoys making with young people as well.

"Regardless of their race or their last name, they're young people," Mota said. "If it enhances their attention because I speak Spanish, all the better. I can relate to this community. I spent so much time growing up in L.A. and going to things like this and just watching how they look up to certain people in the community and in baseball. With Hispanics, there's a connection there because I was born in Latin America, so I know a lot of the things their parents went through and are going through, and it's fun have that connection."