Out of the Park: Changing Teams
Imagine showing up for work one day and being told you’re being sent to the competitor. Gather your things. Good luck. Thank you for your time.
Changing teams the way baseball players do may not be as common in the “real world”. But come the trade deadline, it’s on the mind of most MLB players, whether for their own livelihood, that of their friends or the competitiveness of their current team.
The contending Kansas City Royals found themselves on the opposite end of the negotiation table this year. Playing the role of buyers certainly beats giving up on a bad season, and the team acquired reliever Lucas Erceg from A’s, infielder Paul DeJong from the White Sox as well as Michael Lorenzen in a trade with the Rangers.
When new players arrive mid-season, I’m always amazed to watch how they blend into a new team and see first impressions being made. Oftentimes they are jumping into a game trying to help the new team win before they’ve even met their co-workers.
A part of player life that fans don’t often see is the challenges that trades create for their families. Yes, many of them make lots of money. But they may also have to travel across the country at a moment's notice, while suddenly making arrangements for their spouse and kids to move as well.
The deadline falls at the end of July. For players with school-aged children, how do they handle schools that are in a different city? Lodging? Cars? For athletes whose sole job is to perform, it can be a particularly stressful time.
In the case of DeJong, he learned the White Sox had dealt him to the Royals on July 30 upon arrival to work at Guaranteed Rate Field. Hours later he was supposed to face Kansas City, after going 1-3 with a single against them the night before.
Instead of suiting up for Chicago, he packed up his office (or in this case, his locker) and walked down the hallway from the third base side to the visitors clubhouse on the first base side. He had a new job description, and a chance at a post-season.
He sat in the visitors dugout as he met with both teams’ media. The very next night he started against his former teammates. A few weeks later, he had cemented himself as a veteran KC player earning more and more playing time.
But the experience of changing homes, changing jerseys, and changing teams is one I’m sure he’ll never forget, inside and Out of the Park.
Stadium standout
The Royals recent visit to Cincinnati was a fun one, in part because they swept the Reds but also because of how infrequently the team visits the Queen City.
A new balanced schedule means trips will now be made every other year. Aside from the benefits of more varied travel, players and broadcasters alike will enjoy the ease of familiarity upon arrival. This year, many of us were jogging our memories as we tried to get oriented. Where is the elevator to the press box? The clubhouse? The field entrance?
That was not the case for Michael Lorenzen, who spent the first seven years of his ten year career playing for the Reds. He then spent time with the Angels, Tigers, Phillies and Rangers before ultimately joining the Royals. Talk about changing teams…and roles.
The former outfielder is now a fulltime pitcher, and his first outing at Great American Ballpark was an impressive display against some of his former teammates.
The ballpark opened in 2003 and sits on the Ohio River, making for great views looking out to Kentucky. What I love most about a visit there is the history.
In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first openly professional baseball team, a fact they put on full display. The fanbase is passionate, and even though it has been seeking a more competitive team for years, it is the home of Elly De La Cruz, one of the game’s greatest young stars.
While the Big Red Machine and some of the best Reds of years past played their games at old Riverfront Stadium, the new venue boasts the Reds Hall of Fame. It’s the second largest in the country after the MLB Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.
Among the more than 90 featured inductees are Joe Morgan, Johnny Bench, Tom Seaver, Ken Griffey Jr. and the controversial - but beloved - Cincinnati native, Pete Rose.
Local flavor
In August, the Royals made their first trip to Cincinnati since 2021. Due to broadcaster travel restrictions during Covid, I had not been to the Queen City for six years. I had visited Cincinnati staples like Skyline Chili and Montgomery Inn in the past, so I made a point of venturing out for some new experiences this time around.
I stopped by Reingeist Brewery on our off day, looking for a quiet - perhaps inspirational - place to have a beer and finish my upcoming second book, Small Ball, Big Dreams.
No, I wasn’t writing about the brewery, but it did feel like a fitting locale since one chapter features former Boston Red Sox star (and Cincinnati native) Kevin Youkilis.
After changing teams a few times in his career, he ultimately traded his ball for the craft beer world when he became the owner of Loma Brewing Company in California.
I have to assume he has visited Reingeist, and its story is everything I love about entrepreneurship. The beer and ambiance made it that much better.
A few hours later, I visited the Cincinnati Open to catch some tennis. I’m a casual fan at best, and this was actually my first professional match.
The tournament was founded in 1899 and is the nation’s longest running professional tennis tournament that is still played in its city of origin.
Watching the talent of world-class players like Carlos Ancaraz and Ben Shelton was eye-popping. The wide range of food and drink options mixed with great people watching made for a memorable experience.
Dugout dialogue
The Royals announced a jersey sponsorship with QuikTrip last February and put together a video with the players to promote it.
During the spot, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino asked to have QT cups in the locker room. Shortly after, they responded by posting a doctored 2023 photo to social media, along with the message, “What’s up Vinnie? Hey btw here’s what it’s gonna look like after W’s this year.”
Pasquantino and his teammates took the fun to another level when they created their own iconic cup to replace the splash bucket in post-game celebrations. It made its debut August 7th during a very fitting interview with Pasquantino and Bobby Witt Jr.
Changing teams in business isn’t quite like baseball, but still happens all the time. What does a professional recruiter think? Check out this month’s discussion with Chief of Staff KC’s Casey Wright to find out.
speaking engagements
It has been a busy month of baseball, but never too busy to speak.
Last week, I delivered a virtual keynote on Fear of Failure to a group from Gallagher Insurance. Don’t forget that even on game days, I’m available to virtually join your team…no matter where the Royals are playing.
If you or a client is looking for a speaker this offseason, it’s time we played ball. To inquire about the Game Changer Speaker Series, just click the link below. A member of my team will get back to you right away.
Rounding the bases rewind
Rounding the Bases is a podcast about leadership and culture with a baseball twist. A typical roster includes business leaders and influencers with the occasional sports-related guests sprinkled in.
August was not one of those months.
Looking back, each episode was inspired by sports. It covered everything from gold-winning wheelchair tennis and history-making high school athletics to legendary moments in basketball. A highlight interview was with Stu Crum.
He’s a former college football hero who traded gridiron glory for corporate success. It’s a story that is very much about skill, but even more about the philosophy that can help anyone win. His simple playbook for success applies to every walk of life. If you missed it’s release earlier this week, be sure to listen now.
Lastly, I want to give another huge thanks to all of this months guests:
Our schedule is already being booked into fall, 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?
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email my Executive Producer Ashleigh Sterr: ashleigh@joelgoldbergmedia.com.
Keeping the score
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.
This month, my blog Keeping the Score highlights recent guest Dan James. In his first career, he coached Team USA to Paralympic gold in wheelchair tennis. Now he uses the same connecting, storytelling and so much more to change the lives of executive leaders.
If you are part of a team (spoiler: we all are!), this is one you don’t want to miss. Give it a listen, or check out the blog for a few of my favorite takeaways.
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