MOUNT PLEASANT, Texas — Michael Kopech's dream of becoming a World Series champion came true Wednesday night when the Los Angeles Dodgers came back from a 5-0 deficit to secure a 7-6 win over the New York Yankees.
Kopech's journey started at Mount Pleasant High School under the coaching of Head Coach Aaron Pearson and Assistant Coach Kary Sears.
"We didn't do a lot of coaching with Michael. He didn't need a lot of coaching with us. We just tried not to mess him up," Sears said. "He's one of the few guys that God reaches down and touches and says, 'you're going to be special.'"
He was an exceptional athlete in high school going first round in the MLB draft, foregoing his college career.
"We didn't know how good he was going to be because we were dealing with 14-year-old freshman but he was throwing 90 to 91 mph his freshman year," Sears said. "So we we're like 'wow, this kid can really pump it,' but anything can happen still."
The coaches knew that because of his work ethic and his personality that he was bound to be successful. Sears recounted many times where Kopech would help his teammates and lift up his peers. When Kopech was first signed to the Dodgers, Sears' mother passed away from a heart attack, but Kopech was there for his former coach in his time of need.
"He said, 'Coach, I love you, and I know that you need, and I want to be here for you,'" Sears said.
Many East Texas athletes have successful professional careers including Patrick Mahomes, Earl Campbell and Dez Bryant.
Kopech will inspire Mount Pleasant athletes for generations to come.
"I think that lets you know that it's possible," Pearson said. "My two boys are 11 and 9 now, and they look up to Michael, and all I can say is, if he can do it, you can."
CBS19 is available live and on-demand on your favorite TV streaming device, anytime from anywhere in the U.S.
The free CBS19+ app for Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and smart TV devices features a 24/7 stream with the latest from CBS19.
In addition to the live stream, watch the latest from CBS19 on-demand, along with additional programming from our partners at TEGNA (like Verify, "Murder at My Door" and "In the News") and Locked On Sports, plus special collections from CBS19 like Under the Lights, Hooked on East Texas and CBS19 Originals.
DOWNLOAD ON ROKU
Add the free CBS19 channel by searching for CBS19 East Texas News in the Roku Channel Store on your device, or add the CBS19+ Roku channel using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON FIRE TV
Search for the free CBS19+ app in the Amazon App Store directly on your Fire TV or Fire TV Stick, or add the CBS19+ Fire TV app using this link.
DOWNLOAD ON APPLE TV
Learn more about the free CBS19+ app in the Apple TV App Store and download directly from your Apple TV device.
DOWNLOAD ON YOUR SMART TV
The CBS19+ app is also now available directly on "smart" or "connected" televisions made by Samsung, LG and Philips, as well as televisions with Android TV. Search for CBS19 East Texas News in your television's app store to add CBS19+.
OTHER FREE WAYS TO WATCH
The CBS19+ 24/7 stream can be viewed on any desktop or mobile web browser anytime on the Watch page here on cbs19.tv.