Friday, February 25, 2011

On Baseball- Daryll

1. “The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled
by like an army of steamrollers. It’s been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased
again. But, baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray.
It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again.” (Field of Dreams)

For as long as I can remember, I have loved baseball. I remember throwing a tennis
ball against our wood garage door, I remember practicing diving for imaginary baseballs while
playing on the Pirates in tee ball. I got to meet Terry Pendleton of the Braves as a 5 year old
and he also played my position. As I grew up, baseball grew with me. The junior high baseball
team, high school freshman, then JV, and even getting cut from the varsity team; one of the
hardest days of my life. (Yes, I realize I have lived a great life when getting cut from the varsity
baseball team is one of the lowest points of my life). As I made it into college and moved to
San Diego, taking my love of the Atlanta Braves with me, I was able to see the great Tony Gwyn
before he retired.

I continued to advance my life, and baseball still remained. Soon I would meet my wife,
an Angels fan herself, and baseball bound us. Baseball reminded me of what was good in my
life and worth treasuring.

Another great baseball memory is playing catch with my dad, my own personal pitching
coach, and as I advanced in baseball he always kept me grounded. We had our own language,
which if I couldn’t hear while I was in “the zone” on the mound, he would remind me by
standing up and demonstrating in the stands. Lift, Lever, Leg!

More than that, baseball can lift friendships to extraordinary and memorable heights.
I’ll never forget watching the 2004 Red Sox / Yankees playoff game and Dave Roberts, when
everyone in the stadium, everyone at home, and the greatest closer in baseball history
knew…stole second base. The Red Sox beating the Yankees was more than just that – it was for
everyone who feels that things are impossible. The one constant through all the years. Though
the Braves will always be my “we” team – I was captivated by the Padres this past season and
said I saw it coming after making my wife and I made our annual mecca to Peoria, AZ and
watched Wade LeBlanc 1-hit the Dodgers for six innings and win the game. Certainly signs of
greatness, right? I tried to will the Padres to the playoffs, tried to personally break the
devastating ten-game September losing streak, but in the end it just wasn’t enough. Which
when you think about, is okay. Because in baseball, you can always wait ‘til next year.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

On Leadership - Daryll

“When the leader makes himself smaller and smaller, the people no longer see the leader, only the
vision.” -Shane Claiborne

Reading a great book right now by Shane Claiborne and John M. Perkins called Follow Me to Freedom.
John M. Perkins is a civil rights leader (inspired the Switchfoot song “This is the Sound”) and Shane
Claiborne founded The Simple Way. Right now in my life, the subject of leadership is really coming up
in a lot of areas. It’s funny, because I think I have been poised in many areas to take my leadership skills
to the next level, but only now am I beginning to take the reins if you will and grasp on to my higher
potential.

In marriage, I’ve been married for nearly two and a half years now, but really feel like nearly just now
have we really started to take a breath (despite that not being true on our actual schedules!) and build
our marriage to a higher level. We’ve taken a big step in purchasing a new car for Trish with more exciting things on the way!

At work, though I’ve been a “manager” for over 2 years, I think I’m in a spot now that gives me more
of a growth opportunity than just managing to every month. I also have a great new boss who is
encouraging, listens, and responds to email at the weird/late hours that I send them. This book speaks
to my general theory/motivation of leading as well, in that it’s easy to see the negatives in current
systems – the leaders should be the ones to step up and actually MAKE change in them. You can’t
change things overnight, but I think with the experience I have as a sales rep for three years, a manager
for two, it gives me a unique perspective to really see things from a fresh perspective.

At church, all of a sudden our church is over a year old! Our one-year celebration was such a great time
and so amazing to realize how many friendships I have made through City Bible. Though still a “new”
church, I also feel like it’s time for us to step up our game as well and grow. Leading a small group with
Ray has been a great experience, and great to be back in a spiritual leadership role for the first time
since college really and good old Campus Crusade! It’s exciting to be a part of a small church where my
voice and opinions can be heard.

I think the quote above can apply to really all three areas I’ve talked about here – and I think the vision I
have for each area is clearer than it’s ever been.

PS Also am the “commissioner” in a Yahoo Fantasy League for only the second time in the 50 leagues
I’ve been a part of in the past 7 years. Baseball season back in just over a month!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Please Come to Boston...

Where do I start with this trip...

- 5 Days
- 3 Servillo Girls
- 20-40 degree weather
- 10-12 inches of snow dumped
- 1 Snow Angel made (by my Mom!)
- 3 delicious cannolis
- 2 Italian dinners
- 4 tourist stops: Fenway Park, Cheers, The Kennedy Library, and Quincy Market
- 1 Snowman spotting
- 3 Irish pubs: The Purple Shamrock, Durty Nelly's, and Hennesy's
- 1 AMAZING TIME!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Thankful - Weeks 4 & 5

Hopefully posts about my recent trip to Boston and the Chili Cook-Off soon, but until then here are my Gratitude 52 weeks 4 & 5: