Out of the Park: Big Picture

Baseball is a big picture sport. Its 162-game schedule is often likened to a marathon, with physical and mental demands that are unlike any other. It is also the only sport characterized by its failures. It can force the best of players to question their abilities, especially in April.

Hot streaks and slumps are part of any game or profession. But the first month of the baseball season can be especially cruel to struggling players. It can also be inaccurately comforting to players who start the season with success.

A bad week in July or August is nothing more than a bad week. The stats get hidden away in a season’s worth of work. But early in the season, numbers fluctuate easily. In April, a hitter starting 2-20 at the plate will see a paltry batting average of .100 every time he looks at the scoreboard. However, with just ten hits in his next 20 at bats, that average would shoot to .300, an excellent rate of success.

In a world fueled by instant gratification, baseball is a test of patience and common sense. It takes an experienced player to remain even keel, no matter how the season started.

Last year, Royals rookie pitcher Alec Marsh began his MLB career with zero wins and eight losses in his first 12 games. This season, he started 3-0 in his first five, only to have his momentum slowed by an injury, pushing him to the sideline for a couple of weeks.

Meanwhile, longtime star Salvador Perez began 2024 on a tear, arguably the strongest start to a season the veteran player has ever had. But watching him every day, you would never know. He brings the same energy every day whether he is up or down. And over time, the big picture will take shape.

Last year, Royals manager Matt Quatraro had the players wear t-shirts that simply said TODAY. The message was to focus on the now. This year, the shirts say COMPETE, though the sentiment is the same. When you play the game you’re in, the big picture takes care of itself. You just have to trust in the process.

The Royals hot start to 2024 was one of the best in franchise history. It was an unexpected - though pleasant - surprise to many. The team added a wealth of veteran experience during the off season. Still, there are no promises what the stats will show as they turn the page to May.

It’s a new month in a long, grinding season and the big picture is only starting to take shape, inside and Out of the Park.

Stadium Standout

Last year, MLB unveiled a new balanced schedule that ensures we will never go more than one season without visiting every ballpark in the league. The prior setup focused more heavily on division play. Throw in a global pandemic, and April marked the first time the Royals visited Citi Field, home of the New York Mets, since 2016.

For me, the sentimental value of this stadium in Queens outweighs most. In 2015, it’s where the Royals clinched their first World Series title in 30 years. Most players were not on the team, or even in the Majors, back then. And returning to Citi Field after a seven year hiatus meant lots of wrong turns and asking for directions.

It’s a great venue with an entirely different vibe than Yankees Stadium in the Bronx, which is arguably the biggest stage in baseball. If you plan to catch games in New York, try to line up your visit so the Mets are in town one day and the Yankees the next. You can hit both spots and compare.

For even more, drive to Boston, Philly, Baltimore or Washington D.C. Each is just a few hours away.

Local Flavor

I’m staying somewhat local this month, in part because a heavy dose of rain on the road meant less time exploring the cities.

For my first two off days in April, I visited my son at the University of Kansas. We spent the night watching the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship, but first grabbed dinner as La Estrella in Lawrence. It serves authentic tacos with a Mexican grocery store in the basement, making for a fun - and flavorful - experience.

The house special Taco Tlaxcala was spectacular. If you’re in town and willing to venture a little ways off campus, I strongly recommend supporting this local business.

Otherwise, our last stop of the month was in Toronto. If you ever find yourself there, make time just to wander this great North American city. It boasts incredible diversity, similar to New York or San Francisco, but with more of a midwest vibe.

For thrills, a visit to the top of the CN Tower is a must. People looking for a once in a lifetime experience can even pay to hang off the top of it. Personally, there’s no chance I would ever consider this, not even for a second. But if you like great views at dizzying heights, check it out.

If quiet exploration is more your speed, don’t miss Yonge Street. It’s packed with shops and restaurants that highlight Toronto’s many cultural influences, and is one of my favorite places in a vibrant city that never loses its luster. Chinatown, Greektown, Little Italy and Kensington Market are just a few of the many other intriguing areas. The list goes on and on.

Dugout Dialogue

More winning this year means more Star of the Game interviews…and buckets of Gatorade.

The Royals tradition of drenching the game’s top performer during his postgame interview has gone on for more than a decade. Named after its originator Salvador Perez, fans have come to refer to the ritual as a Salvy Splash. I’m often caught in the crosshairs of this beloved spectacle, and on several occasions over the years, have even been the target.

These days, Salvy tends to leave the heavy lifting to the younger stars, and not because he’s lost any physical strength. I believe it’s because he wants them to enjoy that moment…even if he is on the receiving end.

Looking at the big picture, I’ve now covered Salvy longer than any other player in my nearly 30-year career. I know that when the moment comes for me to interview him, a Splash is coming and there’s no escaping his monster bear hug. Yes it's cold, but it sure is fun!

Salvador Perez on what he's learned about the 2024 #Royals so far: "That we're going to play hard to the last out. Now, today is over. We get to come in tomorrow, play hard, and see what happens."
📺: Bally Sports | 📱: Bally Sports app pic.twitter.com/xtsJOEHZpE
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) April 10, 2024

As a bonus, my broadcast partner Jeff Montgomery and I chatted with new Royal Garrett Hampson while he was catching fly balls during batting practice. It was a unique perspective and great interview.

Garrett Hampson 🎤'd 🆙

On how much fun this #Royals team having: "A lot of fun, especially last night. There's nothing better than walking off a team in the big leagues. ... The team chemistry is awesome around here, and I'm just glad to be a part of it." pic.twitter.com/ka45l4GETd
— Bally Sports Kansas City (@BallySportsKC) April 10, 2024

Big picture also made for a great discussion this month with Chief of Staff KC's Casey Wright.

Speaking Engagements

The start of baseball and three speaking engagements made for a busy April.

Kicking off the month, I spoke to Barr Advisory, a cybersecurity firm with an entirely virtual workforce. It was an honor to share my keynote Winning Trust with this nearly ten year old company as employees from around the country convened at the beautiful and historic Hotel Kansas City.

Next up was a speech to a local Vistage Group led by Larry Hawks. And to round out the month, I moderated an Air Force Leadership event alongside Royals owner John Sherman.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to share that a reimagined Joel Goldberg brand and website are nearing completion. As we get closer to their official launch in May, keep an eye on social…there just may be some sneak peeks. My team and I can’t wait to share more details about these big picture changes, and to continue Winning Trust with organizations nationwide.

Do you or your client have an upcoming event? Are you looking for an engaging, impactful speaker with a message that resonates? If so, we should talk.

Contact my speaking manager Charlotte Raybourn to discuss availability.

Rounding the Bases Rewind

Rounding the Bases is a podcast about culture and leadership with a baseball twist. Still, I couldn't let Opening Day go by without a baseball-themed interview.

It was a blast sitting down with beloved Royals alum Eric "Hoz" Hosmer. I've always said the first baseman is one of the greatest leaders I've covered in baseball, though this interview didn't focus on his accolades as a World Champ or All Star MVP. Instead, it was a big picture look at his new role as a father as he settles into retirement, and will go down as one my favorite conversations with him.

This is a can't miss episode from Season 9. If you didn't catch it on April 2, be sure to listen now.

I'd also like to extend another big thank you to the other amazing guests who joined me this month:

Our schedule is already being booked into summer, but we are always looking for interesting guests with standout stories. Would you or someone you know make a great guest on Rounding the Bases?

Apply now

To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email my Executive Producer Ashleigh Sterr: ashleigh@joelgoldbergmedia.com.

Keeping the Score with Joel Goldberg

Every week on my podcast Rounding the Bases I get the opportunity to interview business leaders, athletes and everyone in between. No two experiences are alike, but each conversation tells a significant story and provides an enlightening lesson.

My blog Keeping the Score rounds the bases with a single, double, triple and home run from one recent guest on the podcast. This month, it featured my interview with a remarkable guest named Billy Brimblecom.

During the day, he is CEO of Steps of Faith Foundation, an organization restoring mobility to amputees across America. But his titles also include musician, survivor and co-creator of Thundergong, the rock-and-roll variety show he hosts alongside longtime friend and SNL alum, Jason Sudeikis.

His story is one of hope, positivity and never losing sight of the big picture, even when the circumstances feel impossible. It's worth the read, and I hope you'll check it out.

Read the blog