It's a Long Road to the Majors

Joba Chamberlain is the new phenom pitcher on the New York Yankees. There is something downright sparkling about his ability. Better yet, there's something impeccably refreshing about his approach.

His mental approach, that is.

A reporter noticed five baseballs perched on top of his locker, each signifying a major milestone win such as double A ball, triple A and then as a Yankee. Joba alluded to the fact that it's a long road to the majors and he never wants to forget where he came from. Once they're in the majors, even for the fiesty, fiery Shelley Duncan (another new Yankee), the rookies are having fun and making their mark while vividly remembering the determination and perseverance it took to get there.

So let me ask you this - I'm curious to hear - how do you remember where you came from career-wise? How do you signify your days in the "minor" leagues? Do you have little momentos or even big ones to say hey, this is how I climbed my way up? For instance, in my apartment I have little books in a frame which I wrote when I was about six years old and next to it is my real book which was published several years ago. (And I just thought of something - I should put some blank paper next to it for the next book I have yet to write! Just thinkin' aloud here...)

So anyway, what milestones do you recognize and how do you signify them? What do your baseballs represent sitting on top of your proverbial locker?