It’s Safe at First Base: Don’t swing for the fences, your team only needs a base hit
We are halfway through the 2020 baseball season. If it seems that it went by fast, that’s because it has. A normal Major League Baseball season is 162 games for each team. That is 2,430 total games!
For those of you who think that baseball is the least progressive of the major sports, see this information about the MLB schedule. Teams have been playing 162 games in a season since 1961. It seems to me that things haven’t changed much in eighty years. Although, one could argue that they were way ahead of the times back in the mid-twentieth century.
This year’s season is only 60 games long. This is a significantly smaller amount of games. It’s only 37% of a traditional season. It would be like National Football League teams playing six (5.92) games in one season. We have seen teams get off to a hot start and tank after the first third.
You may have heard the famous quote “ It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.” Many will credit it to Jim George, who along with his wife, Elizabeth, have written many books about God and spirituality. Truthfully though, the saying can be applied in many areas of life. Thus, many people have shared it as a form of motivation.
In the context of this year’s shortened baseball season, there isn’t as much room for error as a typical year. By the time a team finishes its start, the season is practically over. The pressure must be high for players to perform. It’s already a tough sport for hitters. If you’re successful in 30% of your plate appearances, you’re practically a Hall of Famer.
I have great news for you if you’re not a professional baseball player. Your season is not shortened. You don’t have to be at your best right away.
Your life’s journey can lead you to multiple goals, or achievements. In fact, I say that immediate success or reaching a goal without much effort doesn’t really make you that successful. It could be luck, it could be natural gifts, but it certainly wasn’t effort. Much of achievement lies in the journey. You learn as you go. You teach as you go. You make mistakes. You find new paths. You take steps back in order to jump forward. Think of it like a slingshot. The journey provides wisdom that would otherwise not be accessible.
A traditional MLB season is a great metaphor for a long journey. Sticking with the baseball theme, a single game is also a good metaphor. You don’t have to hit a home run to win a game. In fact, you technically don’t have to get a hit at all. Some of the most impactful people in the world have completed their life’s work by consistently doing the small things to make a difference. You don’t have to make a famous product, or defy death, or overcome the impossible.
There’s something to be said about a single. First base is way better than the dugout (remember, only a 30% chance you’ll even make it there). There is one key, however, to reaching your goals (home plate) after a single. You need a teammate, or multiple, to drive you home.
It’s important to build a great team around yourself so that you don’t have to attempt to do more than you should. A single is safer, but should still be rewarding. Big goals are nearly impossible to accomplish by oneself, and even if they are accomplished alone, it’s not a very enjoyable celebration (it’s more of a relief).
It takes me back to a popular previous entry about Bruce Lee and celebrating the small wins. With a team around you, it’s much easier to celebrate the singles. You can also be more confident of the future and that your teammates will push you to second base or the next check point.
When I was in elementary school, I loved playing baseball. It was a fun game and also great for a young person’s social growth. I used to love game days because I would think about hitting home runs and making diving catches all day leading up to the game.
My team made it all the way to the championship game one season.. I’ll never forget this day because my uncle and one of his best friends were in town visiting. They were going to present the first and second place awards that day.
I was determined to win that game. I played so hard. I played well and did what I thought was enough to win the game.
We lost. It was a terrible feeling. I still cringe at the thought of my uncle putting a silver medal around my neck. Honestly, it was embarrassing.
I probably have more vivid memories of that day than anyone. I have never asked my family about it. They probably don’t remember much, if anything.
There’s a reason why I remember so much about those events. They were a lesson in patience. I wish I could tell you I remember my exact statistics, but all I can remember is that I did well. As a team though, we weren’t as good as our opponents. We needed to string together a few more singles.
The final, and perhaps most interesting part of this story, is that things came full circle not too long ago. My uncle’s friend in the story, is Frank Reich. He’s the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts. Yes, I just went from baseball to football.
I have a few memories of Frank in my life, but the day he gave gold medals to my elementary school baseball arch rivals is the strongest. I should probably not like the guy, right? Actually, I have tremendous respect for him.
Frank’s been a part of some of the most amazing football stories. First of all, he was the offensive coordinator in Philadelphia when the Eagles won the Super Bowl on February 4, 2018. Remember “Philly Special?". Frank must’ve drew that up. Digging a little deeper in the NFL record books you’ll find “The Comeback”. Frank was the Bills quarterback. In college, when I was about a year old (and thankfully hadn’t yet developed a love for the Hurricanes), Frank led the greatest comeback in NCAA Football history (at the time) when the Maryland Terrapins beat Miami 42-40. The guy has a knack for the dramatic.
Despite all of the dramatic wins, what might be the greatest accomplishment of Frank’s, is related to four specific losses. The Buffalo Bills lost four straight Super Bowls (1990-1993 seasons). It’s a great accomplishment to even make it to four in a row, but most people only think about the losses.
I like to think that I’ve bounced back nicely from my championship baseball loss when I was kid. I wonder if Frank knew how distraught I was. If my math is correct, when that happened he hadn’t yet lost four straight Super Bowls. Ironically, the first loss was against the New York Giants (my favorite NFL team). I’m thinking this was some kind of revenge for the comeback against the Hurricanes when he was in college.
Frank has no reason to dislike me. But, if he knew how much I’ve rooted against him, he would. I’ve made it my business to keep it a secret.
And then my cousin got married.
Put me in a social setting (especially a wedding), and I struggle to keep my mouth shut. Naturally, Frank would be invited to my cousin’s (my uncle’s daughter) wedding.
Last year, at the rehearsal dinner, for the wedding of all weddings (see episode 1 of Speaking of Impact for a different story about this wedding), he caught me. He got me early! Why not catch me at the reception real quick?
I was minding my business, introducing my wife to a few people she’s never met (like 250) and, poof! I swear, Frank just appeared behind me in the bar line. I was thinking to myself:
“OK, how do we navigate this? Do I just say, ‘hey Frank’. Uh, Mr. Reich sir…wow that’s a shiny ring ya’ got there. Wish I had won something in my life back when I was like 6 years old. Do you remember what those gold medals were like? I’m sorry for rooting against you a few times. How did you overcome your losses?”
Thankfully, I was grossly overreacting to the situation. Frank, was as gracious as ever and I had just enough time to reminisce briefly and congratulate him. I’m definitely a bit of an Indianapolis Colts fan now that he’s the coach.
The best lesson I can learn from Frank is perseverance. His professional journey has been nothing short of amazing. Over the years he has had a couple record breaking wins, four devastating losses, and countless “singles”. After his playing career, it took 10 additional years to win a Super Bowl. Finally, he was offered a head coaching job.
Frank has Grit.
What is Grit Psychology? + How You Can develop it is a great piece by Seph Fontane Pennock.
See the four techniques to develop grit.
Take Play Seriously - “develop” over “find”
Develop a Passion - Research has shown that people have much greater work satisfaction and job performance when they do something that fits within their interests.
Practice Deliberately - goals, full concentration, feedback, reflection
Focus on Purpose - We’re more likely to push through the hard times if our efforts give us meaning and contribute to something larger than ourselves.
The most fulfilled people have a purpose and they understand that a purpose is something much larger than one activity or goal. They will make an impact because they intentionally strive for something. Their determination is strong and engaging, but not harsh. They lead with passion and compassion.
Whether you’re stepping up to the plate or to your next impact project, shoot for a single. Trust that your teammates share in the same goal and encourage them to hit their own singles. Three or four singles will get you just as many runs as a solo homer in baseball. But don’t forget the singles leave you with runners on base and further opportunity. The team is better off working together.
If you want to clear the bases, swing for the fences.
If you want to provide more opportunities for your team, concentrate and follow through.