The Context Machine

There is an ongoing flap between Chicago White Sox management and the recently jettisoned slugger Frank Thomas.

Despite the fact that he is now under contract with the Oakland A’s, Thomas can’t let bygones be bygones. He insists on ripping the World Champs for having decided to buy out his contract.

Commenting in the Chicago Sun-Times, columnist Rick Telander said, “Humility and sacrifice and teamwork trump talent,” even a talent as large as Thomas’ has been.

I suppose this is true, to an extent, in team sports. An average franchise can perform over its head if it plays together, with high spirits and discipline. But can it go to the World Series without great players, or at least without players who had great years?

I doubt it.

The world beating Sox had an incredible pitching rotation, with at least three stars on it. Paul Konerko had a fine year, especially hot in the post-season.

The manager, Ozzie Guillen, was a star in his role; a live wire, energetic, clever, never satisfied, and controversial.

And the City of Chicago, long suffering without a championship from either the North or South Sides, was ready to have its moment in the spotlight. Enthusiastic fans supplied the legendary 10th player on the field for the club, more than once during the season.

Did the Sox play like a team? Undoubtedly, everyone says so, but could spirit have been enough to help these players to prevail in October?

No way.

Exceptional management, an opportune environment, a reasonable competitive situation, and enthusiastic people, can do wonderful things, on occasion, for a while.

But they aren’t enough to produce championships.

Consider this, the next time the equivalent of a Frank Thomas, Gary Sheffield, or Manny Ramirez, is in your clubhouse.

Can you really go the distance without your stars?

Sometimes, but only if you’re lucky, as well!

Dr. Gary S. Goodman, President of Customersatisfaction.com, is a popular keynote speaker, management consultant, and seminar leader and the best-selling author of 12 books, including Reach Out & Sell Someone® and Monitoring, Measuring & Managing Customer Service, and the audio program, “The Law of Large Numbers: How To Make Success Inevitable,” published by Nightingale-Conant. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, worldwide. A Ph.D. from USC’s Annenberg School, a Loyola lawyer, and an MBA from the Peter F. Drucker School at Claremont Graduate University, Gary offers programs through UCLA Extension and numerous universities, trade associations, and other organizations in the United States and abroad. He holds the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate. He is headquartered in Glendale, California, and he can be reached at (818) 243-7338 or at: gary@customersatisfaction.com.