Teamwork!

I have been thinking a lot about the subject of teamwork this year.
I love being in a big family – your classic team! It’s so interesting to see how we all have the same background, were raised by the same parents, lived in the same cities under the same basic house rules, and yet we have different talents, skills, and interests.

Life gets easier when you have siblings who can provide the skills you lack! One great example is this blog. I can manage a keyboard and basic internet, but my sister Carol is a real Georgia Tech-trained techie. I see a roadblock and she sees a challenge! She doesn’t want to write, but she makes my writing possible. I read all those websites about blogging being so simple – but they left off the footnote that says, “If you have a techie in the family!”

I always loved watching my kids play sports. As a parent, teams are the best avenue to teach them life lessons. How else can you teach that it’s not as important for you to be the best player on your team, as it is for the team to be able to work together well? If someone gets hurt, the team has to carry on. So give everyone the chance to try – play everyone on the bench, and prepare them for the unexpected.

Here’s one major league baseball game for the records. It was August 24, 1983. We had a toddler and an infant, so Pete and I would spend our evenings carrying that radio around the yard or the house so we could hear our Orioles each night as we did the dishes or weeded the garden. We followed them all the way to the World Series! Even though I am officially a Nationals fan now, this is one game I will always remember.

I’ll let you read the long version here, and check out the video below, but here are the basics. The pennant race was tight, and Manager Joe Altobelli was coaching his team for the win because every game counted. To tie the game in the 9th, he had to pinch hit and pinch run so many players that he was out of catchers and the infield was turned upside down. Except for Eddie Murray at 1st and the rookie Cal Ripken, Jr at Shortstop, the infield was turned upside down. Lenn Sakata was catching for the first time since high school, and the speedy Blue Jays were looking to run on him! They knew he couldn’t make the throw to nail them at 2nd base.

Here’s where “team” comes in! Knowing that his catcher couldn’t catch a curve ball, and his 2nd and 3rd basemen were inexperienced, pitcher Tippy Martinez stepped up and became the only pitcher in major league history to pick off three runners in the same inning! The Orioles Magic didn’t stop there – when Lenn Sakata came up to bat in the bottom of the 10th, he hit his second home run of the season to win the game!

I think what touched me about this game was that everyone can make a difference. Every member of the team has to prepare and train, no matter who the stars are. Sometimes in the blink of an eye, you’re up to bat! Ready to make a difference?!

Blessings,
Barb

PS Real baseball fans might enjoy this version of the story.