I may be a huge Yankees fan but I wasn’t fully up to speed on the Donaldson drama and gave him the benefit of the doubt despite the loud cheering upon news of his exit. I knew he struggled during his time with the team but I chose to view his lackluster performance to fuel my fire, to fire Brian Cashman (and Steinbrenner if he’ll let me) for leading the most valuable team in baseball ( and the # 2 most valuable sports team in the world) into the gutter.
New York Yankees
The World’s 50 Most Valuable Sports Teams 2023
Current Value: $7.1 billion
League: MLB | Owner: Steinbrenner family | Year Purchased: 1973 | Price Paid: $8.8 million | Five-Year Change in Value: 78% | ****Change in Rank from 2022: ˄2
My point of view was further validated when Donaldson had success off the bat upon reuniting with the Milwaukee Brewers. Maybe he was Quiet Quitting while on the Yankees roster. It is a fact that 70% of quits are attributed to the manager. But Quiet Quitting is a challenge when you play 162 games in a regular season, and being under contract makes the stakes too high to actually quit.
This had me wondering
Was his performance a f #@$ u to the powers that be?
But then, in a classic case of it’s not you it’s me, I come across this article which portrays Donaldson as, well…, a jerk to work with.
So then I was wondering
Maybe this guy doesn’t deserve my benefit of the doubt
If you have ever been on a team, whether it’s in baseball or business, then you have probably come across someone who was a jerk to work with. Which means you already know it takes some mental toughness to perform at your best when you’re working with a jerk.
But…
While I strongly believe in personal responsibility and accountability for one’s actions and their impact on the world, aaand I think it’s crucial for Donaldson to address his issues if he wants to reach his full potential buuut he’s not my problem anymore. However, I do believe he was held accountable by Boone, and my theory is Boone pushed for the exit for a while and it took some heavy lifting (or screaming at umpires) for the decision-makers to take the payroll hit.
So why is this a Steinbrenner and Cashman problem you must be asking politely
Baseball is considered one of the most mentally challenging sports. Players have ample time to think during periods of inactivity which can lead to overthinking, anxiety, and pressure. Considering that a 75% failure rate is considered exceptional in baseball, there is a lot to ruminate over. As owner and GM of the most valuable team in baseball and the #2 most valuable team in the world (please see above), I would expect said owner and GM to recognize and understand the mental demands placed on players.
You don’t need to look much further than the IL list this season. The extent of injuries suffered by the team is baffling. This raises questions about the team’s training methods, conditioning programs, and overall approach to player health. While physical skills and performance are undoubtedly important, the mental aspect of the game should not be overlooked and how that impacts physical health. The pressure to perform, handle expectations, and endure the ups and downs of a long season can take a toll on players’ mental well-being.
Building a high-performance team, whether in the realm of baseball or business, is no easy feat. It requires energy, thoughtful conversations, and a deep understanding of what is happening within the team. It’s important to have a pulse on the happenings in the dugout or workplace to gain valuable insights and strengthen relationships.
I am not proposing this is easy to do, which is why I am in favor of a 3rd party coming in to evaluate. My theory is that Steinbrenner can’t be objective about his executive he’s managed since 1998. Maybe he doesn’t like feedback or maybe people are too afraid to give it to him. Maybe he is mentally drained, or maybe they both are, it was a tough season for all of us.
But the buck stops with them, literally.
As the top leaders in charge, they must recognize they bear the ultimate responsibility for the results of the season. It takes personal work and dedication to cultivate a positive mindset and prioritize self-care, enabling you to lead with empathy, and resilience, and ultimately create a thriving and successful team.
The players, like Judge, are now demanding to be part of the conversation, showing true leadership and commitment. While the Yankee’s post-season promises to be more intriguing than the actual season, we eagerly anticipate a potential transformation project.
Stay tuned!
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