People don’t remember what you say. And they won’t always remember exactly what you did, but they will always remember how you made them feel. Feelings are real for people, even when the facts might not support their emotions.
Feelings are the reason why we always have three sides to a story, your side, the other side and the right side. We see emotions being fueled every day; almost to the point of no return. And what makes this even more scary is that we have become a fact-checking society, so even when we have all the facts in front of us, our emotions can make us believe something otherwise.
Maybe this is what led the famous baseball manager, Cornelius McGillicuddy, Sr., better known as Connie Mack, to say, “You can’t win them all.”
Actually, Mr. Mack lost more games (3,948) than he won (3,731). Yet both these numbers are records. How can that be? The reason: he managed a total of 7,755 games (another record); which included a 50-year tenure as manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, still another record.
He was 87 years old when he retired; winning nine pennants and managing in eight World Series – winning five. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1937.
The thing that made Connie Mack so special was his astute and innovative style of managing; which earned him the name “The Tall Tactician.”
He valued intelligence and “baseball smarts” – always looking for educated players. After the 1916 season in which the Athletics lost 117 games, considered by many to be the worst team in American league history, Mack created a code of conduct for his players.
* I will always play the game to the best of my ability.
* I will always play to win, but if I lose, I will not look for an excuse to detract from my opponent’s victory.
* I will never take an unfair advantage in order to win.
* I will always abide by the rules of the game—on the diamond as well as in my daily life.
* I will always conduct myself as a true sportsman—on and off the playing field.
* I will always strive for the good of the entire team rather than for my own glory.
* I will never gloat in victory or pity myself in defeat.
* I will do my utmost to keep myself clean—physically, mentally, and morally.
* I will always judge a teammate or an opponent as an individual and never on the basis of race or religion.
The A’s did make a comeback; winning three pennants from 1929-1931 – each year winning more than 100 games. In 1929 and 1930 they also won the World Series; although it would be the last two that Connie Mack would win as their manager.
Another famous coach, Vince Lombardi, was quoted saying, “Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing.” Coach “Red” Saunders of the UCLA Bruins is the actual originator of this quote. And although Coach Lombardi may have said the same or something similar, he also indicated later in his life that his intention was to focus on the act of striving to be the best and having goals, versus winning being considered an end in itself.
Sounds like both coaches new something about doing your best.
Stay well my friends.

Contact DeLong at 912-531-7867 or visit him on the web at www.thesuitesatstationexchange.com