I want to talk about preparation and how important it is.
My entire playing career, I have been one of those athletes who was driven to prepare – sometimes over prepare, because the thought of not doing so, especially before a competition, would surely result in no sleep the night before and a disastrous performance. It may not be the case at all, but that’s just how my brain works – so I never risked it.
So, with that in mind, let me jump to the 2017 Rawlings Gold Glove Awards in NYC– where I was presented with the Gold Glove award, on stage with some of the world’s best baseball players, who are playing now -and in past years – all having won a Gold Glove or multiple Gold Gloves.
Weeks and Days before the event, and in order to be “prepared”, I asked if I will be asked to speak at the event when I accept the award on stage. I was assured I would not be speaking – apparently the time schedule didn’t allow for it.
Moments before the event began, before anyone was in the banquet room – I was taken to the stage, where we rehearsed what would be happening and again, I was told – I would not be speaking, it would be just a few pictures – I was certainly “prepared” for a few pictures.
Then the show starts, Steve Garvey calls me on stage to accept my Gold Glove award – AND THEN ASKS ME TO SAY A FEW WORDS!
I’m standing – on stage next to Steve Garvey – in front of a room full of past and present MLB Gold Glove winners, and I am unprepared to “say a few words” as Garvey suggested I do – and if that’s not bad enough, sitting in the front row is The Captain – “Derek Jeter”!
Now, I’m not scared to talk on stage to other athletes and other people I don’t know, but put Jeter out there, IN THE FRONT ROW, that’s another story.
As I slowly walked to the podium, I was saying to myself; Where was Steve Garvey, during the rehearsal? Didn’t he know I wasn’t supposed to speak? Gotta’ get through this Chels’. I can do this – but whatever I do, don’t make eye contact with Jeter, because doing so would surely knock me off my game plan.
So, I get up there – stare at the back of the room – and start talking from the heart, mentioning what winning the Rawlings Gold Glove award meant to me, how it feels to be recognized on the same stage as these other MLB athletes and how amazing it was that Rawlings, reached out and made the Professional Fastpitch League a part of this award ceremony – and then it happened – I lost my focus on the back of the room and found myself – making eye contact with Jeter, who was watching me speak on stage!
I felt like I made eye contact with Medusa, although this one was male and much better looking – for those of you who don’t know Greek mythology, when making eye contact with medusa – you turn to stone – and that’s exactly what was happening to me.
Well, what I said after that, is a complete blur to me – and I refuse to go back and listen to it. Surely not my best work.
All I remember after that was being back stage – apparently I somehow managed to walk off stage – without having to be carried.
So, my take away from this entire experience is, Steve Garvey shoots from the hip and makes his own plans, The Rawlings Gold Glove award is extremely heavy, The Gold Glove Award event in NYC, will be something I remember forever, and in the future to always be prepared to speak at an award ceremony – even when they assure me – I won’t have to speak, Oh, and don’t make eye contact with Jeter – if he happens to be there.
Thanks again to Rawlings for not only recognizing the female athletes in this way, but for also making the best equipment in the game.
