When I grow up.

There is a commercial that Monster.com ran a few years ago during the Super Bowl. It went something like, “When I grow up I don’t want to reach my potential….” and went on to focus on not living up to your career dreams. It was one of the most popular commercials during that year’s game. It was so good that an agency creative developed a spoof for advertising agency business. The best line from this new commercial was, “When I grow up I want to be a creative director, have all the TV commercials to my self and be washed up when I am 40.” It was a classic that is still on YouTube under “When I grow up I want to be in advertising.” Worth a look.

When I was growing up I wanted to be a professional baseball player. Problem was, and it was a small problem, I was not very good. Sure I could throw and hit the ball, but there were guys (this was before co-ed baseball) who were really good. They had the “he’s a star in the making” reputations, and today can only talk about being on the high school team. They didn’t get a college scholarship, they didn’t play minor league ball, they just walked off the field back to a normal life.

What amazes me are the parents who believe and convince their kids that they have the talent to make the big leagues; when you think about the odds of this happening, I always keep in perspective how strong the competition is who are competing for the 800-900 positions in MLB, I realize the lottery actually looks pretty good.

As much fun as it is to go to a major league park and watch your favorite team play, if you have the chance go to a minor league park and watch the players who are clawing their way up. They try as hard as they can because they know all it takes is one call and they are headed up to the big leagues. Sure most don’t make it out of the minors, but when they do, I can’t imagine the adrenaline rush and nervousness of having reached the bottom rung of your dream. It’s one step (or rung in this case) at a time.

A number of years ago I called on a woman by the name of Barbara Biancolana; one of the nicest people I called on in the business world. Turns out her brother was in the minor leagues and one day got called up to play for the Kansas City Royals. What happens? They make the World Series, he plays a pivotal role in their win, and he lands on the David Letterman show. (He was one of the few guests I have seen who truly held their own with Letterman.)

After the season, Buddy “Alphabet Soup” Biancolana, had had his 15 minutes of fame. It’s that fleeting.

The photo above was taken in Manchester, NH at the Manchester Fisher Cats game. I was sitting in the first row. When you look at the intensity of the pitcher’s face, and the movement on the ball, you now know why I never made it beyond 9^th grade baseball.

Thanks for stopping by.