SF Giants Catcher Teaches Kennedy Students the Power of Perseverance (PHOTOS)

students headed to their lunch period Tuesday afternoon to be greeted by a very special guest: San Francisco Giants Hector Sanchez.

Sanchez, 22, helped the Giants snatch a come from behind victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday night, using the game as an example of dogged perseverance.

“Never give up,” the baseball player told the students through a translator, radio announcer Erwin Higueros.

Students asked him a variety of questions, both in English and Spanish, and Sanchez responded in both languages as well.

As a professional athlete, Sanchez explained his strict regimen of diet and exercise to keep his body in tip top shape.

asked Sanchez to share the importance of exercise in his role as a professional athlete.

Sanchez said he doesn’t have one set routing but he regularly exercises before and after games and also watches his diet.

When one student asked what he eats, he jokingly responded, “Everything.” But he quickly added that he eats much healthier, including salads. Before he became a professional athlete, he struggled a bit with his weight.

Paliughi turned to the students after Sanchez’s response and reminded them to “keep pounding the pavement” just like the Giants players do.

“He really hit home the message about taking care of your body,” superintendent Jan Christensen said. “He was just fantasic.”

Kennedy Middle School students have P.E. every other day and vary their activities just like the Giants players do.

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