My cousin posted this on a social networking site. Being that it is my family, I'll take his word.
Bob Feller pitched 18 years for the Cleveland Indians. He won 266 career games, was an eight time All-Star and is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He won 20 or more games in six seasons, pitched more than 300 innings in three seasons and finished with an ERA below 3.00 in five seasons.
But during a documentary that my cousin was watching, when asked what was his most memorable win (or something to that effect), his answer was World War II.
Wow.
Bob Feller missed three full season in the prime of his career to fight for our country in World War II. He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 23 after the Japanese attach on Pearl Harbor. When he came home in 1945, he pitched for the Indians two days later and won.
Thousands of heroic men and women serve our county each day. Each day, the freedom is protected by brave soldiers and sailors.
Let's quit taking it for granted.
Visit our complete online resource for instructional baseball videos and eBooks at www.ToTheTopPerformance.com.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Mark Burk
I fell upon this show by accident, but the Golf Channel has a new series titled "Pipe Dream." It is the story about a professional golfer (professional because he was paid, not because he was on the PGA Tour), who has been accused of domestic violence and ends up homeless on the streets living in a culvert pipes that are stacked next to train tracks.
I must admit that I don't know that much about his story, only that he has spent everything he ever made to "clear his name" (I'm not sure if he was convicted, pleaded guilty, found innocent, entered a plea agreement, etc.).
His dream is to continue to attempt making it through the qualifying school for the PGA Champions Tour, which is for those aged 50 and over. In addition to trying to survive, he spends time each day stretching and practicing his swing. After not playing for a couple of years, he shot a three over on a previous episode.
There are two lessons to be learned. One is the obvious of having a goal and not taking no for an answer. Mark is prepared to do whatever it takes to reach his goal and realizes that there is no substitute for hard work.
But in the broader picture, there is an lesson that shouldn't be underscored and that is to not put yourself in vulnerable positions.
As I said, I don't know a lot of the background of the story. But regardless of innocence or guilt, Mark put himself in a position that he is now paying dearly for. And while we are all victims of circumstances at one point or another in our lives and we can't control everything that is written, printed or said about us, we can certainly avoid situation that seem uneasy.
I'm anxious to see how Mark's story unfolds.
Pipe Dream airs Tuesdays at 9:30.
Visit our complete online resource for instructional baseball videos and eBooks at www.ToTheTopPerformance.com.
I must admit that I don't know that much about his story, only that he has spent everything he ever made to "clear his name" (I'm not sure if he was convicted, pleaded guilty, found innocent, entered a plea agreement, etc.).
His dream is to continue to attempt making it through the qualifying school for the PGA Champions Tour, which is for those aged 50 and over. In addition to trying to survive, he spends time each day stretching and practicing his swing. After not playing for a couple of years, he shot a three over on a previous episode.
There are two lessons to be learned. One is the obvious of having a goal and not taking no for an answer. Mark is prepared to do whatever it takes to reach his goal and realizes that there is no substitute for hard work.
But in the broader picture, there is an lesson that shouldn't be underscored and that is to not put yourself in vulnerable positions.
As I said, I don't know a lot of the background of the story. But regardless of innocence or guilt, Mark put himself in a position that he is now paying dearly for. And while we are all victims of circumstances at one point or another in our lives and we can't control everything that is written, printed or said about us, we can certainly avoid situation that seem uneasy.
I'm anxious to see how Mark's story unfolds.
Pipe Dream airs Tuesdays at 9:30.
Visit our complete online resource for instructional baseball videos and eBooks at www.ToTheTopPerformance.com.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
LaGarrette Blount
Most people know LaGarrette Blount's name for the wrong reasons. After the 2009 college football opener in which Blount's Oregon Ducks were beaten by Boise State, Blount punched an opposing player who was taunting him.
Blount was immediately suspended by Oregon head coach Chip Kelly for the rest of the season. He was allowed to continue to practice with the team, but his playing days - at least in college - seemed to be over.
Blount was reinstated before Oregon's season finales after doing all the right things - being a good teammate, learning from his mistakes, good behavior.
All the NFL teams stayed away from LaGarrette in the 2010 NFL Draft. It seemed no organization was willing to take a chance on his character and questionable past.
Eventually, the Tennessee Titans offered LaGarrette an opportunity to in training camp. He was released before making the team and had an incident with a teammate, though the Titans said that didn't lead to his dismissal. With his release, everyone expected LaGarrette to ride off into the sunset.
But Tampa Bay was in need of running back depth, so they decided to give him a shot. He didn't play in three of the first five games and in the other two he combined for 10 carries and 30 yards. Hardly impressive.
If you follow football, by now you know that LaGarrette Blount had a breakout year. He accounted for 1,007 yard on 201 carries and scored six touchdowns. He is a legitimate contender for the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
I didn't write this to condone what LaGarrette Blount did. But I think it is important that we learn from his story.
Stay patient and take advantage of opportunities when you get them. And it becomes even more important if you make a mistake. You may only get one chance.
Blount was immediately suspended by Oregon head coach Chip Kelly for the rest of the season. He was allowed to continue to practice with the team, but his playing days - at least in college - seemed to be over.
Blount was reinstated before Oregon's season finales after doing all the right things - being a good teammate, learning from his mistakes, good behavior.
All the NFL teams stayed away from LaGarrette in the 2010 NFL Draft. It seemed no organization was willing to take a chance on his character and questionable past.
Eventually, the Tennessee Titans offered LaGarrette an opportunity to in training camp. He was released before making the team and had an incident with a teammate, though the Titans said that didn't lead to his dismissal. With his release, everyone expected LaGarrette to ride off into the sunset.
But Tampa Bay was in need of running back depth, so they decided to give him a shot. He didn't play in three of the first five games and in the other two he combined for 10 carries and 30 yards. Hardly impressive.
If you follow football, by now you know that LaGarrette Blount had a breakout year. He accounted for 1,007 yard on 201 carries and scored six touchdowns. He is a legitimate contender for the Offensive Rookie of the Year.
I didn't write this to condone what LaGarrette Blount did. But I think it is important that we learn from his story.
Stay patient and take advantage of opportunities when you get them. And it becomes even more important if you make a mistake. You may only get one chance.
Monday, January 3, 2011
the College and NFL Head Coaching Carousel
What have you done for me lately?
That is the sentiment among many college programs and in the front offices of several NFL teams on what is typically called "Black Monday," to signify the end of tenures.
The NFL season hasn't been over for a full day and John Fox and Eric Mangini are already out of Carolina and Cleveland, respectively, with Marvin Lewis expected to part ways with Cincinnati.
Though Fox and Lewis have had significant runs with their teams, Mangini had two full seasons in Cleveland and achieved a 10-22 record. Earlier this season, Denver severed ties with head coach Josh McDaniels in the middle of his second year.
And in college, it seems to not necessarily be worse, but just as confusing.
Ralph Friedgen was fired from Maryland after 10 years. And 2010 saw a turnaround. The Terps finished 2009 with a 2-10 record. This year, Maryland finished 9-4 after a Military Bowl victory over East Carolina and Friedgen was named ACC Coach of the Year.
To clear up any confusion, I am not necessarily opposed to the "what have you done for me lately" culture, especially in the NFL. While schemes are more complex, everyone runs a Pro-Style offense and the best football players in the world are playing on teams.
But regardless of what level you are at, you need talent to win. Coaches that have talent, but don't win, should be shown the door as Wade Phillips was earlier this season by the Dallas Cowboys.
By the end of the week, it is expected that coaching situations will become more clear for teams like the Dolphins, Texans, Titans, 49ers, Vikings and Cowboys. Counting the teams I already mentioned and the Giants, who have already apparently decided to bring coach Tom Coughlin back, 11 NFL teams have some speculation about the future of their head coaches.
Is that a good thing? More than one-third of the teams are not certain who their coach is going to be in 2011. Is it a coincidence that out of those 11 teams, only one - the Giants - have a Super Bowl championship in the 2000s?
Is it also a coincidence that one of the NFL's most popular teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, have had 3 coaches since 1969 and have won six Super Bowls. The best team of the 2000s, the New England Patriots, have had the same coach, Bill Belichick, since 2000 and has won three Super Bowls.
One could say, and I wouldn't argue, that the Steelers and the Patriots have had some really good players. But if a coach like Eric Mangini finishes 10-22 in two seasons and doesn't get to pick his players, how much blame should he receive?
Whatever task is in front of you - coaching, playing,working - have a sense of urgency to get the job done. Your success and how long you are around may depend on your results.
www.ToTheTopPerformance.com
That is the sentiment among many college programs and in the front offices of several NFL teams on what is typically called "Black Monday," to signify the end of tenures.
The NFL season hasn't been over for a full day and John Fox and Eric Mangini are already out of Carolina and Cleveland, respectively, with Marvin Lewis expected to part ways with Cincinnati.
Though Fox and Lewis have had significant runs with their teams, Mangini had two full seasons in Cleveland and achieved a 10-22 record. Earlier this season, Denver severed ties with head coach Josh McDaniels in the middle of his second year.
And in college, it seems to not necessarily be worse, but just as confusing.
Ralph Friedgen was fired from Maryland after 10 years. And 2010 saw a turnaround. The Terps finished 2009 with a 2-10 record. This year, Maryland finished 9-4 after a Military Bowl victory over East Carolina and Friedgen was named ACC Coach of the Year.
To clear up any confusion, I am not necessarily opposed to the "what have you done for me lately" culture, especially in the NFL. While schemes are more complex, everyone runs a Pro-Style offense and the best football players in the world are playing on teams.
But regardless of what level you are at, you need talent to win. Coaches that have talent, but don't win, should be shown the door as Wade Phillips was earlier this season by the Dallas Cowboys.
By the end of the week, it is expected that coaching situations will become more clear for teams like the Dolphins, Texans, Titans, 49ers, Vikings and Cowboys. Counting the teams I already mentioned and the Giants, who have already apparently decided to bring coach Tom Coughlin back, 11 NFL teams have some speculation about the future of their head coaches.
Is that a good thing? More than one-third of the teams are not certain who their coach is going to be in 2011. Is it a coincidence that out of those 11 teams, only one - the Giants - have a Super Bowl championship in the 2000s?
Is it also a coincidence that one of the NFL's most popular teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers, have had 3 coaches since 1969 and have won six Super Bowls. The best team of the 2000s, the New England Patriots, have had the same coach, Bill Belichick, since 2000 and has won three Super Bowls.
One could say, and I wouldn't argue, that the Steelers and the Patriots have had some really good players. But if a coach like Eric Mangini finishes 10-22 in two seasons and doesn't get to pick his players, how much blame should he receive?
Whatever task is in front of you - coaching, playing,working - have a sense of urgency to get the job done. Your success and how long you are around may depend on your results.
www.ToTheTopPerformance.com
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