Record Books and Reality: Why Stats Don’t Always Tell the Full Story
In this blog from the Sore to Soaring Podcast, Coach Leo Young and Brannon Sneed explore the difference between performance and development. Brannon still holds multiple pitching records at Lincoln High School—but behind those numbers is a story of missed mentorship and the long-term consequences of poor handling at the next level. Their conversation reminds us that true success requires more than just stats—it requires protection and proper development of the athlete behind the numbers.
FROM TRAINING TO TRIUMPH - WHAT MILITARY AND SPORTS TEACH ABOUT LEADING, WINNING, AND GROWING IN LIFE
Coach Leo Young
3/29/20252 min read
When people look back at an athlete’s career, they often start with the numbers.
Wins. Strikeouts. ERA. Records.
But what if those numbers don’t tell the full story?
In this episode of the Sore to Soaring Podcast, I sat down with Brannon Sneed, General Manager of Peter Boulware Toyota and former standout pitcher at Lincoln High School in Tallahassee. His story shows how even a record-setting career can be built on a foundation that needs stronger support—and how great numbers don’t always mean an athlete is being developed and protected properly.
How important do you think Sabermetrics are? Drop your response in the comments section of the video, we'd love to hear from you.
A Record-Breaking Career—But Not Without Gaps
Brannon still holds several all-time records at Lincoln High:
Most career wins
Most career strikeouts
Most strikeouts in a single season
Those records still stand more than 30 years later. On paper, it sounds like a success story—and in many ways, it is. Brannon worked hard, competed well, and reached elite levels of performance.
But as he shared in our conversation, there was another side to the story.
“I had great coaches, but they weren’t pitching coaches,” he said. “I didn’t have anyone really guiding me as a pitcher.”
What the Numbers Don’t Show
Even with all his high school success, Brannon’s development as a pitcher lacked the structured support that would help him protect his arm over the long term. His foundation was solid—but not complete. He wasn’t injured in high school. In fact, he excelled.
It was later—under a college coach—that things started to go wrong.
His workload was mishandled. His mechanics. And eventually, like so many pitchers, Brannon ended up needing Tommy John surgery.
That injury didn’t come from poor effort—it came from poor leadership and a system that prioritized performance over preservation.
The Bigger Picture: Sustainable Development
At Sore to Soaring, we believe the job of a coach isn’t just to get the most out of an athlete—it’s to protect that athlete so they can compete longer, grow stronger, and build a healthy future.
Performance matters—but not more than long-term development, injury prevention, and mentorship. That’s why we train coaches to spot risk, manage workload, and guide young athletes with purpose—not just pressure.
Because true success isn’t just what you put on a scoreboard—it’s what you protect behind the scenes.
Key Takeaways
Strong stats don’t guarantee safe or sustainable development
Even elite athletes need specialized guidance to avoid injury
Proper handling of pitchers at all levels is critical to long-term success
Coaching must focus on protection, not just production
Every athlete deserves a system that values health as much as performance
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Disclaimer:
The views shared are those of the guest and do not represent an endorsement by Lupos Initiative Inc., DBA Sore to Soaring. This content is for informational purposes only and not medical or training advice. Always consult a qualified professional before starting any exercise or throwing program. No affiliation or compensation exists between Sore to Soaring and any for-profit entity mentioned
If you wish to learn more about Brannon Snead’s work: peterboulwaretoyota.com.
