It went by so fast. Seems like we always say that and 2019 was no exception. Compiling a top ten list of my favorite moments of the year is no easy task because I’m a glass half-full type old guy, which means I’m looking for positive moments every day. My list does include a man named Glass, a lot of hockey, baseball, speaking and podcasting. Goodbye to 2019 and cheers to 2020! Here’s my personal top ten.
10) MORE NETWORKING, NEW RELATIONSHIPS
As I grow my speaking business and expand my podcast, relationships, building trust and adding value are my foundation. This is true on the baseball field when I interview athletes and critical in every other aspect of my life.
9) ST. LOUIS BLUES WINNING THE STANLEY CUP
I love all sports but baseball and hockey are my favorites (plus Wisconsin Badger football and basketball). Baseball is business. Hockey gives me a chance to be a fan and in the midst of the Royals season, I was glued to the Blues epic Stanley Cup run every chance I got. I used to cover the Blues, my kids were raised Blues fans, my son plays and we are a hockey family. A postponed Royals-Cardinals game May 21st enabled me to walk down the street and attend the Blues conference championship winning game in one of the most raucous and festive atmospheres I’ve ever experienced. The Blues first Stanley Cup championship followed a few weeks later. My wife and kids drove to St. Louis to attend the parade.
8) 3RD SEASON OF ROUNDING THE BASES
2019 saw the end of season two and beginning of season three of Rounding the Bases. The podcast also expanded from bi-weekly to weekly. I’m proud of the wide ranging diverse guests. From entrepreneurs to artists, from those in the field of medicine to music and military. There are too many to pick one favorite, but Wesley Hamilton, episode 218 and Jeff Hansonepisode 225 are great places to start.
7) SPEECHES IN EVERY MONTH, INCLUDING IN NASHVILLE AND ATLANTA
Sharing the lessons learned in baseball with businesses and organizations has become my passion. I tell everyone it’s not a baseball or even a Kansas City speech and most people can relate to the hard work needed to reach the pinnacle as an underdog. Taking my speech to groups in Nashville, Atlanta and New York gave me the confidence to know my message will play in and outside of where I live in KC.
6) 3RD AND 4TH SEASONS OF BROADCASTING MAVERICKS HOCKEY
I genuinely enjoy calling Mavericks hockey as much as I do broadcasting baseball or speaking to audiences. These athletes truly love playing the game and the Mavericks organization and fans are a special group. I look forward to the ten games I announce every season and the opportunity allows me to scratch my play by play itch in an amazing sport.
I came to Kansas City in 2008 and 12 years later, I’m still at it. My fellow announcers and our crew usually broadcast 150 games a year but we did a record 161 in 2019. It’s a schedule that barely affords us a chance to catch our breath and it’s definitely a challenge but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
4) FINAL SEASON OF DAVID GLASS AS ROYALS OWNER
I’m excited for the future with John Sherman and his ownership group. Kansas City baseball fans are in good hands. With that said, I will miss everything about David Glass, who recently sold the team to Sherman. He often flew under the radar, but those of us around the ballpark every day were blessed to see his passion for winning, love of people and baseball and his sense of humor. He regularly would compliment me on our postgame shows but would quickly blame me for the teams losses, always with a wry smile. I appreciate his support of my career in baseball and speaking.
3) THE PROCESS. TRUSTING IT AND SPEAKING ABOUT IT
I first heard Royals general manager Dayton Moore mention trusting the process when I met him in 2007 while I still worked in St. Louis. The process led to a Royals World Series. It will lead to the team contending again soon. I speak about this and am a firm believer in process leading to results, in sports and in life.
2) NED YOST’S FINAL GAME AND LIVE INTERVIEW
I’ve been fortunate enough to conduct hundreds and hundreds of live postgame interviews. Too many to remember. I will never forget this one on September 29th. Managers rarely do the star of the game on-field postgame interview and Ned Yost, while always good to work with, would rather a trip to the dentist over such an occurrence. But this was his last game before retirement, the Royals won in dramatic fashion and beneath the sunglasses, I’m sure there were tears from a rough and tough baseball lifer.
1) Family
This should be obvious because everyone says family but surviving a 6-7 day a week baseball schedule for six months a year, year after year, with all the travel, plus speaking and hockey only happens with support at home. My kids only know this life, for better or worse and my wife Susan makes it all happen. She’s the hero and somehow keeps it all together. I love my family
