LET LEADERSHIP LEAD THE WAY

As we experience unseasonably warm weather this mid-December, it is hard to focus on the "cold" sports season, like football and hockey, without thinking that it is time for the "warm" weather sports like baseball.  I guess that's why when I read about New York Giants Quarterback Eli Manning's pre-game speech for the sake of salvaging what's left of his wavering team, I thought about one of the key needs for our team across the river; our very own New York Yankees.  "According to Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News, Manning brought his Giants teammates in for a speech last week, stirring his troops to action with a “passionate speech," mentions NBC Sports on Tuesday.  Yes, Eli Manning stepped up to the plate, so to speak, and gave an awarding winning speech that seemed to have made a difference in his team's performance in Monday night's contest against Miami.  The Giants won more than the game. They learned that effective leadership leads the way to success.

We have discussed the importance of effective team leadership a number of times on BYB.  It is a huge part of an organization's success, including our own here. Our Chief, Robert Casey, gives us pep talks all of time. He gives us the motivation we need to write and contribute to this outlet for fans.  Sometimes we all need a good kick in the butt and like the Giants and the Yankees, we need a leader who will do just that.

As former president Ronald Reagan of our great country once said, "The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." And this is what Manning did.  Although, many would argue that Manning performed at his top capacity, completing 27-of-31 passes including four touchdowns. According to NBC Sports, “He played superbly tonight,” Tom Coughlin said. “I had a good feeling that he would. He had a nice week of practice. He again was in command of everything out there.” The Yankees don't seem to have that level of command.  Nor do they seem to have a fearless leader, like Coughlin, who goes out with the team and leads workouts with his guys from time to time.  At least, nothing I have heard or seen lately.

Effective leadership, along with solid pitching, is what is missing from the Yankees.  I don't see an effective leader in the dugout or in the front office. I don't see a solid leader on the field or in the bull pen.  I am waiting for one to arise from the rafters, but to no avail.  No one seems to be able to step up or at least not someone who is clearly visible and audible from my view.  Press conference of that is most welcome!

My Wednesday shout out to the Yankees is simply this: Let Leadership Lead the Way!  

Leaders are physically present, clearly heard, respected individuals who aren't afraid to take the heat, give the heat and turn on the heat.  So, not only do we need to recruit and retain quality players, we need to ensure that these same players hold the qualities of good leadership.  Without it, we will continue to sit out the second and third rounds of the playoffs, if we even make it that far, for a long. long time.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof




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