Turner Ward: Hitting Home Runs in Life: A Guide to Faith, Coaching, and Giving Back

Encouragement Conquers All

About Turner Ward:

Turner Ward is a professional baseball coach and former outfielder. He is the Assistant Hitting Coach for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He joined the Cardinals in 2021, bringing extensive experience from his previous roles as a Major League hitting coach for Cincinnati, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Arizona Diamondbacks. A switch-hitter, Ward played 16 years professionally, including parts of 12 seasons in the majors, and earned two World Series championship rings with the Blue Jays in 1992 and 1993. He also coached in the World Series with the Dodgers in 2017 and 2018.

Ward graduated from Satsuma High School in 1982, attended Faulkner State JC and the University of South Alabama, and earned a degree in Business Management from the University of Phoenix in 2015. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Donna, for 34 years, and they have three children and one grandchild. Their son Tucker, who owns and runs a sports agency, has a daughter named Charlie Gray. Daughter Kendall is attending Cumberland Law School, and son Olin is a freshman at Northwest Florida Juco. Donna founded Hope4110, a nonprofit dedicated to women facing breast cancer and breast reconstruction. Ward is inducted into the Junior College Hall of Fame, Mobile Sports Hall of Fame, and Southern League Baseball Hall of Fame.

In this episode, Justin and Turner Ward discuss:

• Turner's illustrious career as a player and hitting coach in Major League Baseball, spanning over 30 years
• The role of faith in Turner's life and coaching philosophy.
• Overcoming family struggles, including his wife's battle with breast cancer, and founding the non-profit Hope4110.
• Balancing professional success with family commitments and personal challenges.
• The importance of mentorship and giving back to the community in Turner's life and career.

Key Takeaways:

• Encouragement is a cornerstone in building strong team dynamics and resilience in the face of adversity, both on and off the field.
• True mentorship extends beyond the surface, delving into personal connections that foster growth in individuals and create a lasting impact.
• The integration of one's personal journey, including struggles, into their approach to leadership and coaching enhances empathy and effectiveness.
• Not only providing financial aid but also offering emotional and spiritual support, are crucial roles of community foundations in aiding those grappling with life's challenges.
• Identity and character development in youth sports is nurtured by shifting the focus from achievements to the individual's holistic growth and well-being.

"The most important part of coaching isn't the mechanics, it's the relationships and the encouragement that you provide.” — Turner Ward

Connect with Turner Ward:

Website: https://hope4110.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/turnerward

Connect with Justin Fatica:

Email: [e-mail]

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustinFatica

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustinFatica

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justinfatica/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JustinFatica

Justin’s Books:

Hard As Nails: https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Nails-Mission-Awaken-Youth/dp/0385527179/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1696950768&sr=8-5

You're Amazing: https://amazingnation.shop/collections/books/products/youre-amazing-a-message-of-hope-that-will-change-your-life-forever

Win It All: https://amazingnation.shop/collections/books/products/win-it-all-the-way-to-heaven-for-catholic-teens

40-Day Prayer Workout: https://amazingnation.shop/collections/books/products/prayer-workout-devotional-book-40-days-of-biblical-reflections

Children's Book: https://amazingnation.shop/collections/books/products/youre-amazing-childrens-book

Show notes by Podcastologist: Hanz Jimuel Alvarez

Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.