Baseball's Toughest
by David Norman
Title
Baseball's Toughest
Artist
David Norman
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
John Wooden taught it!
Cal Ripken brought it!
The record of playing in 2,632 consecutive games over more than 16 years is held by Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles. Ripken surpassed Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees, whose record of 2,130 consecutive games had stood for 56 years. Before Gehrig, the record was held by Everett Scott (1,307 consecutive games), a shortstop with the Red Sox and Yankees whose streak ended in 1925, less than a month before Gehrig's began. Everett broke the previous record which was established by George Pinkney (577 consecutive games) from 1885 to1890
Legendary basketball coach John Wooden died on June 4 at the age of 99. During his coaching career his teams won more than 80 percent of their games. At UCLA, his teams won an astonishing 10 NCAA national championships during his final 12 years of coaching, including seven in a row. Wooden was a talented coach, teacher, and leader, and much can be learned from his philosophy. I'd like to share with you some of my favorite quotes and lessons from John Wooden.
More than a half century ago John Wooden created his Pyramid of Success. The Pyramid contains 15 building blocks of success, including industriousness, loyalty, initiative, skill, enthusiasm, and self-control. In creating the Pyramid, Wooden chose for his two cornerstones industriousness and enthusiasm, and the capstone on the Pyramid is competitive greatness.
So why did he choose industriousness as one of his cornerstones? Because Wooden knew the value of hard work. Success travels in the company of very hard work. There is no trick, no easy way. And the choice of enthusiasm for his second cornerstone? Your energy and enjoyment, drive and dedication will stimulate and greatly inspire others. And finally, about competitive greatness as his capstone, he said,
Perform at your best when your best is required. Your best is required each day.
Uploaded
July 3rd, 2015
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