This has been an eventful baseball season for me, to say the least. Full of celebration, growth and learning. The entire Cubs organization has provided me life lessons that will not soon be forgotten. Here's a list of the many things Joe Maddon and The Cubs have taught me this season.
1. Experience Matters:
With age comes wisdom and a sense of calm, if you let it. The experience you have allows you to anticipate better based on your history. When you stop trying to prove yourself and what you stand for reality unfolds. Joe Maddon leads through trust and encouragement - and his players admire him for it.
2. Never Give Up!
"Believe" is a small word with a huge responsibility. Joe explained that many other groups of guys say they believe, and in the end they end up quitting. This team never quit. They believed in one another, they believed in themselves and they believed in Joe's leadership.
3. Teamwork
Competition doesn't have to be against one another, but united with one another for a cause. That healthy competition makes you stronger together. This team was a brotherhood, they stood for a common goal - to do the very best they could and win the World Series. When Addison Russell made a bad toss to Javy Baez at second who was trying to get the first out in a 6-4-3 double play, Javy scooped it up and threw to Anthony Rizzo at first. The two ran off the field together and you could see them laugh and high five one another. Javy wasn't frustrated with Addy, he said, "I got you man." He knew they needed one another and had each other's back. That's what teammates do for one another.
4. Honor Each Others' Strengths
By holding another up, it doesn't diminish you - but actually make you brighter and stronger. When Anthony Rizzo is asked about his potential to receive the NL MVP, he always states that KB is much more deserving of the award - referencing his agility in the field and his record setting batting stats at the plate. Here's the kicker - When Kris Bryant is asked he deflects to Anthony Rizzo saying how much more Rizzo deserves the award!
5. Do Simple Better.
That's the key. Don't complicate it so people think it's hard. Just do simple better. It's baseball, not brain surgery. Understand the value of a bunt, the importance of the shift and the under-appreciated 6-4-3 double play. Do Simple Better.
6. One thing at a time.
One batter, one inning, one game at a time. Human tendency is think about the amount of games remaining in the series and how many you have to win. Yet Joe reminds us that this is really just one at bat, one inning and one game at a time. What's within your control - how you field, how you bat and how you support one another. This one has helped me more than any other. I now remember to focus my energy on what's here now, not somewhere out there.
7. Feel it.
In the words of Jimmy V, 'each day you should move your emotions - to tears, to laughter and to think!" Joe Maddon is not a man of random, erratic emotions. He is calm, collected and intentional leader, mentor, and coach. Yet when the Cubs made the final out in the bottom of the 10th inning last night he jumped for joy, hugged players, coaches, interviewers and proudly, emotionally wore the ball cap of his Dad from years ago to celebrate. Its okay to feel the range of emotions - each day!
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