Out of the Park: Year in Review
Happy New Year! How can it possibly be 2025 already? As we all set our focus on the fresh slate of a new calendar, I can’t help but look back on everything that has been done, learned and accomplished in the past twelve months.
A highlight for me was the Royals playoff appearance. We’re less than six weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training, but fans still regularly stop me to talk and look back on last years’ season. Despite the team's remarkable turnaround, Royals GM JJ Picollo actually feels last year was a disappointment.
He had hoped to beat the Yankees and go further in the playoffs, but that’s the kind of mindset that I expect will lead to an even better performance in the upcoming season. My longtime broadcast partner Jeff Montgomery and I recently bumped into Santa Claus. We were excited when he told us he was a Royals fan, so we asked him to bring us a championship.
Beyond baseball, a personal accomplishment was completing the manuscript for my second book, Small Ball, Big Dreams. As you read this it is actually out for print, and it’s exciting to be nearing the finish line of a project I have invested so much into.
Among the many stories included are Lorenzo Cain, the former Royals star who never played organized baseball until high school and award-winning rapper Tech N9ne, who used his music as an outlet to help promote mental health. As I look back at all of the stories captured in those pages, that of Scott Spiezio stands out more than the rest.
The two-time world champion rose to incredible fame before a fall to addiction that nearly cost him his life. I visited Scott on the way home from Chicago after Thanksgiving, and saw his incredible resilience in action. Since entering recovery, his new dream has been to make sure kids don’t fall victim to the same traps that once plagued him.
I don’t know anyone who has overcome quite as much as Spiezio has. As is so often the case, his biggest lessons were learned in his toughest times. And as we look back on the close of one year and ahead to a new one, it's a perfect time to remember the past is not what defines you. It’s what you decide to do going forward, as he has so brilliantly done and each of us can too…inside and Out of the Park.
Stadium standout
Baseball venues are just a few short weeks away from their return. Until then, I want to look back on a recent visit to a Chief’s game and give mention to perhaps the worst kept secret in town.
Fans and foes alike know that Arrowhead Stadium is a unique venue. It has an electric atmosphere that few can match. But other than the fans and traditions, what makes it so special is the rare period of success that the Chiefs are experiencing. It won’t last forever, and I hope everyone involved - players, fans and staff - can just enjoy the ride.
Will 2025 include another Super Bowl? Many of us in The Kingdom think so. What I know for sure is that Andy Reid, Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and Chris Jones are as rare in sports as dynasties themselves. In the meantime, let’s soak in these moments. My wife, kids and I recently did during a rare family night out to watch the Chiefs take on the Chargers.
Unsurprisingly, the home team won.
Local flavor
The Golden Scoop is the happiest place in Kansas City. It’s a spot I’ve written about before and will continue to do so. The ice cream, coffee and cookies are top-notch, but it’s the vibe that really makes it special.
Watching the employees with developmental disabilities bring so much passion and hard work to their job is one of my favorite things about visiting.
Earlier this month, Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Justin Watson scooped ice cream during a meet and greet at the new location near 103rd and 69 Highway. Royals manager Matt Quatraro brought his family into the original at 95th and Nall.
I encourage everyone to visit. The experience will warm your heart (and fill your belly) with treats as good as anywhere in Kansas CIty.
Dugout dialogue
As sports fans look back on 2024, they’ll remember the loss of two Bay Area baseball legends: Willie Mays in June, and more recently, Rickey Henderson.
The day Mays passed away, the Royals were in San Francisco, where they always stay when facing the Oakland A’s. After hearing the news, I walked down to the Giants stadium and will never forget the memorials at his statue.
In December, baseball fans around the world were shocked to learn of Rickey “Man of the Steal” Henderson’s death. The greatest base stealer of all time had always seemed invincible. The fact he died of pneumonia complications just days before Christmas - on what would have been his 66th birthday - is impossible to believe.
When I met the hall of famer at the Oakland Coliseum in 2018, he looked like he could still be playing. The sitdown interview I did with him was a career highlight and as I look back, is a moment I will treasure. Watch it below.
In the workplace, 2024 felt - to many - like the year that things finally returned to normal since the pandemic. Check out the video below for my monthly discussion with Chief of Staff KC’s Casey Wright for some valuable perspective from a professional recruiter.
speaking engagements
The speaking world is usually fairly calm as companies prepare to wrap up the year, but as I look back, it was still a productive month.
It began with an event for a large group of CFO’s that was organized by Scott Havens and hosted by Casey Wright at Chief of Staff. They’re two of the best networkers I know and it was great to make so many new connections as I delivered my Winning Trust keynote.
A few weeks later, I had fun talking to students in the media program at Grain Valley High School, as well as keynoting for an amazing group at the UltraTech holiday party.
January looks to be busy with three upcoming in-person events. I’ll kick off the new year with a keynote to Mylo in Kansas City, followed by two engagements later in the month. First is the Bank of Tescott in Salina, KS followed by the City of Manhattan a few days after.
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
The December lineup on Rounding the Bases brought a host of inspiring guests. Though their individual fields of expertise was varied, every one of the discussions sparked positive reflection on the year we’ve had, and shifted my mindset for the one ahead. My favorite was with Greg Justice, a trailblazing fitness entrepreneur who has been shaping the personal training industry for four decades and counting.
He is someone who has built a career on meeting others where they are, making it possible for people of all ages and abilities to make lasting changes toward a more healthy way of living. Aside from the obvious tie ins between fitness and another year of resolutions to become your best self, what I loved most were his simple secrets to success.
It’s one you should definitely check out. If you missed it earlier in the month, be sure to listen now.
Of course, thank you to each of the incredible guests who rounded the bases with me in December:
Our schedule is already booked into the spring, 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
In the spirit of looking back on 2024, the December installment of Keeping the Score highlights a recent panel interview with two encore guests who each joined the podcast individually earlier in the season. Both are leadership experts who had incredible perspective on some of the biggest takeaways from this year.
Dan James is a history-making wheelchair tennis coach turned Founder of Story 19 Consulting who inspires success-driven individuals to exceptional results. Jeff Utecht is a trailblazing tech-ed consultant who is reshaping the way modern learners embrace technology and culture shifts.
As I expected, what the had to say about generative AI, generational culture and even some personal triumphs was all phenomenal. Yet as varied as the discussion was, trust was the foundation of it all.
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