‘It’s not because I didn’t work hard enough’: The morals that Virginia commit Henry Godbout lives by
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (BVM) — In 2004, the Boston Red Sox took the country by storm with their championship run ending an 85-year World Series drought. Despite being less than a year old at the time, it is the best baseball Henry Godbout has ever watched.
“It was on repeat in the car (growing up),” Godbout said. “Dave Roberts having that steal and just all of those games. Those are good memories for sure.”
The high school senior still loves to go back and watch games from the archives to this day.
“I feel like the game has gotten away from true baseball,” Godbout said. “It’s more just hit home runs and throw fast, so I enjoy watching old baseball games where I can appreciate the game.”
He grew up a Red Sox fan despite growing up in Manhattan and Brooklyn before moving to Chattanooga, Tenn. his sophomore year. Godbout came to Tennessee after getting a recommendation from his friend and former teammate Danny Corona about the Baylor School.
“I wasn’t really enjoying being in the city anymore,” Godbout said. “I wanted to get out and be in an open space where I could play all year long.”
Godbout’s start in Chattanooga was not the greatest as his sophomore season would be canceled due to COVID-19. Fortunately, Godbout didn’t have to worry about losing out on getting seen by college coaches as he had already committed to the University of Virginia the fall of his freshman year.
“Virginia was my favorite school and I have always wanted to go there,” Godbout said. “I remember watching them and Vandy those three years going to the College World Series. When I got an offer from them, I knew I had to make it happen.”
There was no rust whatsoever for the 6-foot-1, 175-pound shortstop for his junior year as he hit .366 with four home runs and 19 RBIs.
“I honestly didn’t think I played to my fullest,” Godbout said. “I thought I had more. I believe in myself 100 percent. I think I could be a top 20 pick, top 10 pick, so I wasn’t surprised at all.”
While he was taking care of business at shortstop, he saw his double play partner, Cooper Kinney take a big jump in his game, resulting in him becoming the 34th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft to the Tampa Bay Rays.
“I’m just happy for Cooper,” Godbout said. “Being able to see a kid from my exact situation make it to where I want to go was a really good confidence boost.”
Godbout is already a nice all-around player with a sharp baseball IQ, but he is still focused on trying to improve all aspects of his game.
“You’re never going to be too good, and you’re never going to be perfect at everything,” Godbout said. “I think just working hard and improving every day is the biggest thing.”
Godbout’s long-term goal is to make it to the hall of fame after a long pro career. And with his mature outlook on life, he might just get there.
“I want to make sure I have no regrets,” Godbout said. “I think the best way to do that is working until you tell yourself, ‘Alright, I’ve worked enough to where if I fail or don’t get somewhere, it’s not because I didn’t work hard enough.’”
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