Greetings!
Whether it is in the industry of pro sports or an everyday job, most people are conditioned to take the most money they can secure without really considering all of the elements. Sometimes that formula can make you the most miserable person on earth. Before you ink a contract, do consider, as an example, how much a State can tax you to play games in their cities (read up on California and Pennsylvania).
You
should always consider your personal strengths and how they will fit into the system of the new organization you plan to
join? How about the coach or manager? Do you know much about this
person’s personality? Is the human relationship important for you to be
able to relate to this individual on a daily basis or does that not matter? Are
you okay with a strict disciplinarian and someone that never smiles? Or a
smart, teaching type of a coach who is a motivational type of boss and seems to
care about you as a person away from the field?
How
about understanding what the city’s fan base expectation is with their players? Some places demand your attention 24/7 – same with the
media (i.e. Boston and New York come to mind). What about the stadium’s
dimensions? Does your game translate better or worse at the new home you desire
to play for? What about your teammates? Do you have a bond with many on your
current team? Who knows how your chemistry will play
out when you join the new clubhouse? Even time zone can play havoc on your
psyche. I, for one, have lived on the East & West Coasts and now the
Midwest. My lifestyle prefers the Central Time Zone best … and there is a
difference! So keep that in mind!
When Peyton Manning became a free agent prior to the 2012
NFL season and considered his options for teams and cities, he consulted with
his former Indianapolis Colts’ coach Tony Dungy for advice. Dungy told
Peyton only one thing: “When you are making an important life
decision, make sure it’s without regard to money, title or position. Make sure
it’s about who you’re going to be working with and how much you’ll enjoy being
there!”
Now take the case of new Los Angeles Dodgers’ outfielder Carl
Crawford. During his previous life in Tampa, Crawford was a four-time
All-Star during his nine seasons with the Rays. He was considered a superb
fielder who could hit for average and run the bases as well as any player in
the game. He led the majors in steals four times and hit over .300 five times.
He earned a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger award during his final season with
Tampa in 2010.
That
set up Crawford for a huge payday on the free-agent market as his contract
expired. He decided to sign with Boston in 2011 for one of the richest
contracts ever at $142 Million over seven years. What happened?
Crawford washed away in a Red Sox uniform, setting
career lows with a .255 average and 18 stolen bases in 2011. Then he was
limited to 31 games in 2012 due to injuries.
"There definitely was a dark cloud over me when I was in
Boston," Crawford now says. "I knew with the struggles I was having it
would never get better for me. I just didn't see a light at the end of the
tunnel. It puts you in kind of a depression stage. You just don't see a way
out."
Again, as we stated above, when weighing in on pros and cons, it
has become apparent that some players that can thrive playing under intense fan
and media pressure. Some cannot. Crawford went into the situation thinking he
could handle it, but it became unbearable the more he struggled. “It was just everything," he said. "Me not playing well. Me being
in an unfamiliar area in an environment that was toxic. Just all those things
combined. You start to say, 'Is this ever going to end?'"
Asked
if he regretted signing with the Red Sox, Crawford replied, "A lot of
times I did. You hear a lot of talk about how I just wanted money. At some
point, you just wondered if you made the right decision." Yet he did admit
that he
"got caught up in chasing that big contract" when the Red Sox wrote
the big check two years ago.
I
remember reading a story the other day and a quote really stuck home with me.
It said: “I would rather be happy with less than miserable with
much?” Just be sure, fellas, when the day comes for you to
choose a school, a team, or become a free agent that you consider every single
option. You are the performer but don’t discount all of the human elements
about You when making these life-altering decisions. Be Happy! If so, you’ll be
productive. You’ll always be rewarded! That’s what my first Big League Boss
always preached to me! So True!!
CHEERS
MY FRIEND!
Jim Loria
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“The world offers a lot, but even having them all won’t ensure our
contentment. What we value, defines our happiness. What we keep, spells our
purpose. What we do, becomes our commitment, but in the end, our real treasures
are what our hearts can hold” – stated by Unknown Author
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“The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your
life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or
blame. The gift is yours – it is an amazing journey – and you alone are
responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins” –
stated by Bob Moawad, Author
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“When nobody believes in you, believe in yourself. When nobody
acknowledges your value, value yourself. Instead of awaiting validation
from others, listen to your Inner Guidance. Stand tall, oozing enough
self-confidence to push yourself through seemingly insurmountable obstacles” –
stated by Nea Justice, Life Coach
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“I
can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through, then
follow through” – stated by Captain Edward V. Rickenbacker, Medal of
Honor recipient, race car driver and a pioneer in air transportation
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You must constantly ask yourself these questions: Who am I
around? What are they doing to me? Where do they have me going? What do they
have me thinking? And most important, what do they have me becoming? Then ask
yourself the big question: Is that okay?” – stated by Jim Rohn, Author
and Motivational Speaker
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