Out of the Park: Investing in Relationships
Baseball may be built on numbers, but the soul of the game lives in the people. That’s why investing in relationships is such an important part of what I do.
This month, Kauffman Stadium turned back the clock and welcomed many members of the 1985 and 2015 championship teams for a reunion weekend. I had the chance to do in-game interviews with Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, two of my favorites from the 2015 team that brought the title back to Kansas City. It’s been ten years, but both of them continue to carry themselves like they could lead any clubhouse.
George Brett joined me as well. He still lives locally, but every time I ask him for an interview, I treat it with a level of respect that is earned, not assumed. It's a reflection of the years spent building something that means just as much off-camera. And the return on those relationships have always been what baseball is about to me.
Over the course of the season, I’ve caught up with past podcast guests across the country. I met Jen Lehner in Cleveland, Michael Schein and Ben Guttmann in New York and Damon Lembi in San Francisco. Not a single one was intended to be anything other than a conversation, but each was a powerful reminder of what can come when we stay connected, stay human and stay present.
I also celebrated my birthday, which falls on Cinco de Mayo. It’s always special when the team wins, and this time Salvador Perez gifted me a Salvy Splash. Years ago, he and Hosmer led the entire crowd as it serenaded me on the field. They were two different moments with one common message: that relationships are the real currency of this game.
You don’t know when or how the return on relationships will come. But when you invest in people the right way - with curiosity, consistency and care - it always does.
It’s a reminder I carry with me, inside and Out of the Park.
Stadium dreams
The Texas ballpark formerly known as Minute Maid Park, and before that Enron Field, is now officially Daikin Park. The new name may still be catching on, but the experience inside hasn’t changed.
With the exception of a few mild days, indoor ball in Houston is non-negotiable. The heat and humidity are unbearable during the season, but once you’re inside, the atmosphere makes it all worthwhile.
It’s loud. It’s comfortable. And when that train above left field rolls after a home run, it still feels like a signature moment in one of baseball’s most animated parks, though I never mind the quiet that follows a Royals win.
This trip also brought a cool family storyline. Cavan Biggio suited up for the Royals and played in the same city where his father, Craig Biggio, built a Hall of Fame career. Cavan grew up running around every nook and cranny of this park, so it was great to see the Senior Biggio rooting for his son and not the Astros.
While there, Jeff Montgomery and I made the trek up to the tracks in left field to record a segment. It’s one of the best views in baseball, of both the stadium and the downtown skyline. Name changes aside, Houston still puts on a great show. And for now, Daikin Park has earned its place in the rotation.
Local flavor
One of my favorite parts of life on the road is settling into the rhythm of a new city before the games.
San Francisco is one of those places that never gets old to me. I have a favorite Thai restaurant that I visit multiple times each trip. I love to climb the hills, and always make a point of visiting new coffee shops.
But this time, I broke from my routine.
Rex Hudler and I rented a kayak and paddled out into McCovey Cove, the famous patch of San Francisco Bay that locals and tourists alike float in during Giants games with hopes of catching a splashdown home run.
It ended up being one of the most fun and talked-about show opens we’ve ever done. Everyone wanted to know whose crazy idea it was (for the record, it was mine). And many players were convinced that Hud would, in true form, capsize us on live TV. Thankfully we stayed dry, and our producer John Harvey nailed the execution.
Even though we were there for the moment and not a ball, we still managed to get one. Sort of. If I’m being honest, it was a perfect lob hit by “Harv” during filming, but in the spirit of McCovey Cove, we’re claiming it.
What started as a silly idea sparked countless conversations. All it took was a little bit of fun and a different perspective to remember that opportunities to invest in relationships are all around. In a game full of routines, sometimes the best moments come in unexpected places. In San Francisco, it just happened to float in on the tide.
Dugout dialogue
Some interviews happen on camera. Others start long before the mic is ever turned on.
When former Royals first-round pick Brady Singer was traded to Cincinnati this offseason, it marked the end of an era. I’ve known Brady since the beginning of his pro journey in 2018. Over time, continuous investments in that relationship lead to a familiarity that ultimately grew into trust.
I had texted him when the trade went down, wishing him a simple good luck message. It wasn’t for a segment, just a little touch point to keep the relationship going. So when he returned to Kauffman this month to face the Royals, I hoped to get a one-on-one conversation. I wasn’t surprised that he said yes to my request, but I was grateful for the groundwork that was already there.
After we wrapped, I sent the interview to his parents, who weren’t able to make the trip. It was another small gesture, but it led to a great exchange. Catching up with them reminded me that in baseball and in business, the biggest return on relationships come in the smallest moments. Simple gestures like a text is sometimes all it takes to continue building a history that endures across team lines.
How do returns on relationships show up in the business world? Watch this month’s sit down with Chief of Staff KC’s Casey Wright to find out.
speaking engagements
I was honored to co-host The Trust Progression Workshop this month with two former podcast guests. An event that was made possible by investing in relationships made countless others possible as a strong crowd gathered for a day of learning, insight and connection.
We covered a lot of ground, beginning with Jeff Utecht’s deep dive into generational dynamics in the workplace. It was followed by my session on building trust through presence and consistency. Dan James closed out the day with his powerful message on driving impact.
After the event, I showed my two Seattle-based guests the best Kansas City has to offer. We toured the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, sampled some famous BBQ and caught a Royals game (well, they did anyway). Hearts and stomachs were full, but the real win was building real relationships with leaders who showed up.
Thanks to Casey Wright and Chief of Staff for hosting us. We look forward to more in the future.
If you have a game changing event coming up, it’s time we play ball. To inquire about my keynote series, event moderation or custom video content, just click the link below. A member of my team will get back to you right away.
Rounding the bases rewind
Investing in relationships is such a meaningful topic for me. In the obvious sense, I love that it has the ability to improve your business game, whatever that may be. What’s more is that over time, each individual connection starts to build a community…and it takes a big investment to yield a big returns.
That’s why this month my episode of Rounding the Bases features a Kansas City power couple whose commitment to those around them has become a uniting force for good. Dulcinea Herrera is the fearless co-CEO of Cafe Corazon, a pioneering Latin coffee shop where vibrant culture and comfort intersect. Her husband, Christian Anderaos, is a midfielder for the KC Comets Soccer Club and the Founder/CEO of Playmakers Academy. This dynamic duo doesn't just bring people together, they serve as a powerful reminder about he impact a community can have.
Listen to the full interview here.
Of course, I want to give another very special thank you to each of the guests who rounded the bases with me this month:
Our schedule is already booked into the 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?
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email my Executive Producer Ashleigh Sterr: ashleigh@joelgoldbergmedia.com.
Keeping the score
Business and baseball are all about metrics. From batting averages and ERAs to profit margins and ROIs, we live in a world where numbers rule. But what if the most important number you’re not measuring is your return on relationships?
While data may drive decisions, the strength of our human connections are what really move the needle. Return on relationships isn’t just a feel-good buzzword. It’s an asset that compounds over time, often yielding dividends that no spreadsheet can fully capture.
One recent interview reminded me of this, as I traced the origin of our relationship several months - and prior podcast guests - back. His name is Chris Gargano, an award-winning pro sports content veteran who spent more than 20 years investing in relationships with fans from coast-to-coast.
Now, he’s a podcast host and founder of the Gargano Leadership Group, where teams and business influencers alike learn to navigate the complexities of taking action. Check out the blog to find out how he secures advantages - and returns - that are bigger than themselves.
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