It is everyone’s favorite time of the year if you’re a baseball fan. September is here and the push for teams trying to make the playoffs is in full force. The smell of October baseball is right at the tip of our noses. It’s an exciting time where players and teams forget the regular season and put their eyes on the prize… the World Series trophy. October is where legends are born. October is where you find out exactly what teams are made. October is where players and fans experience the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.
Not every single player gets an opportunity to experience the playoffs or a World Series. Even some of the games greatest players have yet to have the October experience. The star and one of the faces of baseball Mike Trout has yet to make it a World Series. This is what every single player plays for. The opportunity to chase that coveted World Series trophy.
Everyone Plays a Role
During the playoffs, you quickly start to realize that every single player in the clubhouse plays a role in making each team who they are. It is not just the ace of the staff, the star player, but it is the bench player, the utility player, the bullpen arm, etc. Reflecting back on the Kansas City Royals 2015 World Series, they probably don’t win that World Series without their role players. You of course had your studs in Alex Gordon, Salvador Perez, Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer, but you also had role players like Jarrod Dyson playing a significant part even though he didn’t play every single day.
Dyson served as a pinch runner late in games. His speed was unmatched. As soon as he was on first base, you knew he was stealing second. It came to a point that even the opposing team knew it and there was nothing they could do about it. The Royals drove people crazy on the bath paths. Having an asset like Dyson provided them the opportunity to bring an element into the game that gave them an advantage.
The biggest lesson here is that Dyson embraced his role, even being remembered for his famous quote “That’s what speed do!”. How he embraced his role is a lesson to all of future and current athletes about the importance of putting the team first. It is a reminder that no matter what your role on your team is, you still play one. You might not play every single day but your team will call on you at some point and it is up to you on how you want to take advantage of the opportunity.
Dyson is also a story that is centered around never giving up. He was drafted in the 50th round of the 2006 MLB draft. Yes, you heard that right FIFTIETH! There aren’t even 50 rounds in the MLB draft anymore. All the odds were against Dyson as he started his minor league career. He persevered through it all. Through the long minor league seasons, the constant being told his chances were slim to make it to the majors, and he found his way to carve out a role in a World Series winning team.
Attitude is Essential
There was a member of the Royals 2015 World Series team that probably no one remembers, Jonny Gomes. I am sure a lot of you are asking “who’s that?” or didn’t even have a clue that he played for the Royals. The next question might be “how many games did he play in the World Series?”. Zero. He was left off the World Series roster.
You might be wondering how can a guy who didn’t play a single game in the World Series have any impact on the team? The answer is simple. Attitude. Jonny Gomes showed up to the clubhouse every single day ready to support his team in any way he possibly could. He brought a veteran presence and was a guy who had World Series experience when many of the players in the clubhouse didn’t.
His veteran leadership and experience with postseason baseball was key to have in the Royals clubhouse. He was able to provide a voice that had been there before. That knew about the ups and downs of playing in a World Series and chasing that dream. He never let being left off the World Series roster define who he was and he knew the importance of putting his team first to make sure that they all could achieve their goal together. He will also be remembered for this epic speech at the World Series victory parade:
Conclusion
As we embark on the 2021 MLB Playoffs, it is important to remember that baseball is a team sport. You will see that highlighted more than ever in October. At every level you have the opportunity to bring something to the table no matter what your role is. Never let your role define you, but find a way to define the role you’re given. There is always a reason you are in the position you’re in. Your opportunity to shine could be right around the corner and it is up to you on how you want to embrace it.
On top of that, your attitude will always play an important role for not just you, but your team as well. How you interact with your teammates will always be crucial. You can sit there in jealousy or anger that you aren’t getting the playing time you want, or you can do everything in your power to help support your teammates and do the little things to help your team win. The path you decide to take is in your control.
