Out of the Park: Self Care
I’m lucky to get to live my dream six to seven days a week, traveling the country and talking about baseball. Win or lose, I always feel fortunate to get to do this for work. But regardless of how the team has been playing, the grueling 162-game schedule will inevitably lead to burnout. As a result, I’ve become much more aware in recent years of self care as a survival tool.
One of my self care tactics while on the road is just to get out of the room and explore the city we're in. It’s a simple - and exciting - thing that does wonders for my mind. As I’m writing this, I just finished a walk along Lake Michigan in Chicago with our play-by-play announcer, Ryan Lefebvre. It may have been five miles long, but it gave me an energy that will carry me through today’s broadcast.
Another way I squeeze some much needed self care into the season is by tweaking my travel itinerary when the schedule allows. Earlier this month, the Royals played in Denver over the weekend before heading to St. Louis for a Tuesday-Wednesday series. My wife Susan and I stayed in Colorado for an extra day. It was only 24 hours, but we managed to see the Avett Brothers - one of my favorite bands - at Red Rocks, stay with a friend and do some hiking near Estes Park before flying out. It was a brief but invigorating reprieve.
I did not feel like I needed another break but was fortunate to get one just a few days later. Following the Cardinals series, we had an off day in Boston preceding a weekend series against the Red Sox, which gave me yet another opportunity to escape and explore. This time, I rented a car and drove to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. I checked out the city and the food, even sitting on some rocks along the ocean to read a book while soaking in the moment.
The All Star Break was one week later. The team’s performance going into it got me thinking about a conversation I had earlier in the season with Kansas City Royals Captain Salvador Perez.
Following a dreadful 106-loss season in 2023, the Royals have turned things around to become playoff contenders in 2024. I asked him if he’s having more fun now and he replied, “I always have fun.” He did admit, though, that it takes less effort to bring a spark of positivity when the team is winning.
I think it’s a sentiment that rings true for all of us. No matter what we do, our jobs are easier when accompanied by positivity and excitement. In my case, it means more Salvy Splashes (and therefore trips to the dry cleaner). But as we head into the final ten weeks - or more - of the season, I find myself more energetic than I have been in years, all thanks to simple acts of self care inside and Out of the Park.
Stadium standout
One of the questions I’m most frequently asked is “What is your favorite stadium?” The answer is always Fenway. It’s the reason I have written about it before and will almost certainly do so again.
The first time I visited was in 2004 when I covered the Cardinals-White Sox World Series for the Fox affiliate in St. Louis. I have treasured my 17 years covering Royals baseball, but “The Lou” was home for nearly ten years after my then-fiance and I moved there from Wisconsin in 1998.
I can admit that back then, I didn’t truly understand the challenges of a full baseball season or the self care it would take to make it through one. I wasn’t covering every game like I do now with the Royals, so our young family often went to watch. Still, I worked games at the old Busch Stadium and then across the street when the new one opened in 2006.
Busch doesn’t rank in my top ten, in part because the press box is so high up. Getting to the field and then back upstairs takes some time, and it can also make seeing the game a challenge. Despite those downsides, the views of the St. Louis Arch are majestic, the venue is usually full and it’s afforded me the privilege to cover greats like slugger Albert Pujols.
The players and coaches have changed, as has the game itself. As a believer that fostering relationships is as much a part of self care as anything, I’m always energized by going back and catching up with the broadcasters, writers, staff and ushers I’ve known for years.
Local flavor
Two consecutive weeks of vacation is unheard of during the baseball season. The All Star Break is the closest we can get and even though it's only four days, they feel like a month.
Susan and I try to go somewhere every year. Whether it’s something familiar like the Lake of the Ozarks or a new destination, we always feel the need to escape. This year, we opted for a place we had never been before.
Because we only had limited time , it was important to choose someplace that didn’t take a full day to get to. After extensive brainstorming and research, we decided on Fredericksburg, Texas. We took a direct flight to San Antonio followed by a drive of a little more than an hour before arrived to hills and wine country we did not know existed.
An A-frame rental up in the trees offered magnificent views of a locale that boasts eclectic wineries and amazing restaurants. Music, local food and a new part of the country to explore were just what we needed to recharge our batteries.
We loved every restaurant but our favorite was Hill and Vine. Our server recommended the tomato burrata toast and we were blown away. Cilantro pesto, macerated cherry tomatoes, whipped burrata, roasted garlic oil, fresh cracked pepper made for one of the tastier appetizers we’ve had in a while. The cocktails and chicken sandwich were off the charts.
We managed to visit four wineries and loved them all. Pedernales was a favorite, as was the boutique winery Kalasi Cellars which had an amazing story.
I imagine we’ll be back to Fredericksburg with friends for more wine, fun and plenty of food!
Dugout dialogue
On July 29th, Bobby Witt Jr. put on a spectacular performance against the Chicago White Sox. His team was trailing in the eighth inning with the bases loaded when he hit a grand slam. It was undeniably the play of the game, but the real reason I chose to highlight that interview is as a call to action - or perhaps, inaction - to everyone who watches baseball.
Just like I believe in the importance of savoring special moments as a form of self care, I encourage everyone to slow down and really take in what this 24-year-old phenom is doing.
He leads Major League Baseball in hits. He’s the league’s fastest player. He nearly won the Homerun Derby during the All Star Break. He is, arguably, the best player on the planet.
This is only his third season and it’s already clear that we are witnessing a once-in-a-generation talent. His impeccably timed home run is a testament to the fact, and I can only imagine what we will have to say about his success in ten or 15 years.
No matter your team, I hope you will take a moment to appreciate the history being made. As Witt Jr.’s teammates say, he’s a “freak” who is doing “stupid” things. All used as compliments because, frankly, we’re running out of other adjectives to describe his otherworldly ability. You can check out the interview here.
How does prioritizing self care benefit you in the corporate world? Watch this months discussion with Chief of Staff KC’s Casey Wright to find out.
speaking engagements
We may be in the thick of summer, but my speaking availability continues to fill for fall, winter and even spring. If you or your client needs a game changing speaker for your upcoming event, it’s time we play 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
In July, my podcast Rounding the Bases featured an incredible lineup of creative problem solvers. With fields of expertise ranging from tech pioneers to educators to civic trailblazers, each is the the kind of person who sees the world through a solutions-focused lens. And because of it, is making waves of impact.
One of my favorite discussions was with Jeff Utecht, a renowned ed-tech renegade who is decoding the global learning experience. With students (and success stories) everywhere from the Far East to the Pacific Northwest, he’s proof of what’s possible when education and culture align. It’s a fascinating listen for anyone and I encourage you to check it out if you missed the release earlier this month.
Of course, thank you again to all of this months incredible 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 put guest John Hall in the spotlight. He’s a storyteller whose mission is to help others live exceptional lives. His career portfolio may be stacked with years of service to some of the worlds most iconic brands and legendary entertainment venues, but his biggest successes were the ones realized off of the clock.
It was a phenomenal discussion about the importance of balance - a critical element of self care - and the steps he took to reclaim it in his own life. It’s rich in lessons no matter what stage of your career you are in. Be sure to check it out…you’ll be glad you did.
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