Greetings!
In less than two weeks, many of you reading this will be eligible for the Major League Baseball Draft and preparing for the multiples of team interviews that comes with the process. This is your life’s version of the job interview! There are many of you that have already advanced past the draft stage and found your home in the pro ranks. There are some of you that will become draft eligible in another year.
No matter your status, may this piece help you today or in the future? Take me as an example: I’ve worked in sports team management for 36-years with a large emphasis on corporate client relations. Basically I’ve had to sell myself first before the customer ever would consider buying into my team’s sponsorship opportunities. You are no different. Professional Scouts know every aspect of your talents out on the field. They’ve applied a grade to your current-day skill level but now they want to assess your personality, mindset and learn as much about your family stock as possible.
That is where these pre-draft interviews helps the Pro Scout evaluate you further. These gatherings are going to serve as your tie-breaker in the draft. Many of you can move up the ladder based simply on how you present yourself!
It all starts with your appearance and first impression. Here’s where you need to give off the impression that you are a Big Leaguer! So iron your clothes, polish your shoes and clean your fingernails. When answering questions, be truthful and speak positively with a tone that is crisp and says “I AM YOUR GUY!” Make sure your voice has an audible level that can be heard through the clutter of noise often heard at a restaurant. When you first shake hands, do so with confidence! Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ at all times! Most importantly, focus your eyes on the people across from you. Again, you are auditioning and selling your candidacy to one day be a Big Leaguer! All of these little things stated above can increase your draft position as well as your net worth!
There’s also the reminder that you live in a world of technology. Many Pro Scouts are already scanning through your Facebook and Twitter pages to get a read on your character, maturity and even friends you associate with away from the field. To succeed at the Big League level, you might as well now start calling yourself a Corporation. You are a BRAND IMAGE and the Major League team does BUY INTO YOUR IMAGE from the moment they announce your name on draft day.
You are a walking (and photographic) resume every day! Never forget how important that first glimpse of You and how it can become your deal-breaker!
My best for you always!
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“How a man plays the game shows something of his character; how he loses shows all of it” – stated by Frosty Westering, former Pacific Lutheran University football coach
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“The trouble with most of us is that we would rather be ruined by praise than saved by criticism” – stated by Norman Peale, minister and author, who’s best known for his books on Power of Positive Thinking
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“Skill and confidence are an unconquered army” – stated by George Herbert, French PE Teacher
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“At any given moment you have the POWER to say ‘this is NOT how the Story is going to End!’” – stated by an Unknown Author
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“You have to be an even better person than you are an athlete” – stated by Manny Upton, father of Atlanta Braves’ players Justin and B.J. Upton
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