Well, I leave for the airport in a few minutes to hop a flight to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Tomorrow morning I will be speaking at the USPTA Florida Convention to tennis coaches, directors, club owners and administrators at the Ocean Reef Club in Key Largo.
I will be nervous.
Being nervous is good – it means you are about to do something important. Being nervous is much better than not caring.
Do you get nervous before a big match? A presentation at work? Asking someone out on a date?
Pete Sampras used to get nervous all the time. In fact, he used to get so nervous before finals that he would throw up in the locker room.
But why was Sampras able to perform the way he did?
Because he didn’t act how he felt.
So tomorrow morning at about 9:30am I will be getting nervous.
But at 10am, I am going to ACT like I’m going to rock the house.
Next message from sunny (hopefully) Florida.
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/default2.jpg300300adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-06-04 06:56:462010-06-04 06:56:46MESSAGE #1046 NEXT STOP: KEY LARGO
I have seen some amazing things in sports. I was at David Cone’s Perfect Game, Joe DiMaggio Day at Yankee Stadium, several World Series games, the US Open, Australian Open and countless other events on television. But yesterday I saw the MOST amazing thing.
Armando Galarraga threw a perfect game for the Detroit Tigers…but umpire Jim Joyce took it away from him.
On what should have been the last play of the game, a ground ball was hit to first baseman, Miguel Cabrera, who threw it to Galarraga covering first. That should have been the final out. Game over. History made. But the runner was called safe.
To be honest, at normal speed, I could not tell if the runner was out or if he was safe. But on replay he was clearly out and Galarraga clearly should have had a perfect game. Joyce blew the call.
After the game, Joyce asked to see the replay and saw that he was wrong. He then went to find Galarraga and apologized.
That’s a class act.
I respect Jim Joyce for that.
But the best play in the whole game was Galarraga. After the blown save, Armando was surprised, but just laughed and then got the final out.
Galarraga could have given Joyce a piece of his mind and told him where to go, but he didn’t.
After the game, Galarraga said, “Nobody’s perfect, everybody’s human.”
That’s mental toughness at it’s best.
Here’s an excerpt from Tom Verducci’s article in SI.com:
There is no polite way to say this: Joyce blew the call. Galarraga caught the ball in plenty of time, even if it wedged precariously in the webbing of his glove, and scraped the base, even if inelegantly, with his foot. Immortal fame was his.
Jim Joyce took it away. He called Donald safe. No sign that Galarraga juggled the ball. No sign that he missed the base. Just safe. Pure and simple safe.
Umpires miss calls. It happens. Nobody feels worse when an umpire misses a call than the umpire himself. They are proud men who strive for a 100 percent success rate and are bound to be disappointed. Upon seeing a replay, Joyce was crushed.
“I just cost that kid a perfect game,” the umpired admitted afterward. “I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay.”
It was a classy move by Joyce, who also apologized to Galarraga personally. The pitcher told a Venezuelan reporter that Joyce was crying when he offered him his apology.
“He really feel bad. He probably feel more bad than me,” Galarraga told Fox Sports Detroit. “Nobody’s perfect, everybody’s human. I understand. I give a lot of credit to the guy saying, ‘Hey, I need to talk to you because I really say I’m sorry.’ That don’t happen. You don’t see an umpire after the game say ‘I’m sorry.'”
Yes, Galarraga’s perfecto would have been impressive, but to be honest with you, his reaction to the missed call was the most impressive thing I have ever seen in sports.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9t8Tzme56os
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/0331.jpg90120adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-06-03 09:20:062010-06-03 09:20:06MESSAGE #1045 THE MOST AMAZING PLAY I HAVE EVER SEEN IN SPORTS
I was fortunate enough to get an advance copy of Patrick McEnroe’s new book, “Hardcourt Confidential,” which comes out in stores June 8th.
In this book, McEnroe talks about his twenty years on the pro tour as a player, coach and ESPN commentator.
I loved the stories of Agassi, Connors, Johnny Mac, Sampras, Federer, Nadal and others, especially the mental side of the game. Here is an excerpt from one of Patrick McEnroe’s matches when he was on tour…
Let me go back to 1991, before we leave Australia, to finish the story of my best run in singles at a major event. In the semis, I had Boris Becker by a set and I wrangled my way to a couple of break points early in the second; I could have gone up 4-2 if I converted either of them. But somewhere in there I clearly remember saying to myself, Shit, I could be in the Australian Open finals…
And that’s exactly when the wheels started to fall off — and Becker was too good a player not to jump in and help finish the job.
So folks, mental weakness happens to the pros, too.
Do I recommend this book?
Yes.
In fact, if you are in the Princeton area on June 12 at 3pm, Patrick McEnroe will be doing a book signing at Barnes & Noble MarketFair. See you there.
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/default2.jpg300300adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-06-02 12:17:352010-06-02 12:17:35MESSAGE #1044 BOOK REVIEW - HARDCOURT CONFIDENTIAL
Just because the three birds decided to fly off, doesn’t mean they did.
What are you putting off doing today?
Remember…Motivation is not a feeling, it’s an ACTION.
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/default2.jpg300300adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-06-01 13:42:562010-06-01 13:42:56MESSAGE #1043 THIS IS A TEST
Here is one of my favorite children’s Memorial Day poems…
What Heroes Gave
by Roger Robicheau
Each donned their uniform to be
Defenders of our liberty
Their mission sure, their spirits bright
Guard freedom’s home, be brave to fight
One final day each faced their call
Each gave their best enduring all
We’ll never know what they went through
But know they loved this country true
Deep down inside we should all feel
What heroes gave, their cost so real
We must stay thankful, grateful of
The gift of freedom through their love
Their loved ones bore the gravest pain
What we can’t know, some now sustain
To God I pray their pain will cease
And each will find long-lasting peace
Remember this from year to year
What heroes gave – shan’t disappear
We’ll never let their special day
Their time for honor slip away
These brave fought for a nation free
If not for them, where would we be?
HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY EVERYONE!
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/default2.jpg300300adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-05-31 11:05:352010-05-31 11:05:35MESSAGE #1042 A MEMORIAL DAY POEM
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
-THOMAS JEFFERSON
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/default2.jpg300300adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-05-30 08:29:592010-05-30 08:29:59MESSAGE #1041 A QUOTE FROM JEFFERSON
Today’s message is especially dedicated to the great Warren Bobrow, food critic/blogger.
Think back to the best match you ever played.
Notice how you didn’t have many thoughts going on in your head?
You just did it.
Now think back to the worst match you ever played.
Notice how you kept thinking things like, “why do you keep missing that shot?!” “what’s wrong with you?!” “you stink!”
There’s a secret formula for peak performance…
P = P – I
Performance = Potential Minus Interference
You have all the potential in the world already inside you.
If you can subtract the interference (fear of failure, focus, results, other people, pressure, what you’re eating later, etc), you will perform at the highest level.
I know what you’re thinking, how can I get rid of the interference?
There are many ways, here’s one:
Do what Pete Sampras used to do…
Focus on where you’re going to serve and where you’re going to hit the next shot.
That’s it.
Simple but effective.
For a free 10-minute mental toughness consultation for athletes, salespeople, students…anyone that wants to reach peak performance, email or call 609.558.1077.
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/default2.jpg300300adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-05-29 07:57:492010-05-29 07:57:49MESSAGE #1040 SECRET FORMULA
Brandon Laird is one of the top Yankee prospects. He currently plays for the Double-A Trenton Thunder and is leading the league in RBIs.
The other night, Laird hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, home run), including a walk-off home run (above) to win the game.
I was in the press box for that game, in fact, I spent some time with Laird before the game. I knew he was a top prospect, but what impressed me most was his character and attitude. Below are the highlights from our conversation.
Brandon Laird is 22 and comes from a baseball family. His brother, Gerald, is the starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers.
I started out by asking Laird about the best home run he ever hit.
“It was in a playoff game in high school, extra innings and I got a first pitch fast ball and just put a good swing on it.”
The key word is just. He “just” put a good swing on it. Laird and I talked about how peak performance happens when we have very little mental interference. You’re not thinking about your technique, your last at-bat, what people will think if you have a bad game or “what am I eating later?”
ET: Do you ever get nervous before games?
BL: I do. But then I take a couple deep breaths and tell myself that I’ve been in this situation before.
ET: Who is your favorite player?
BL: Growing up I was a big Chipper Jones fan and now I like Alex Rodriguez, as well.
ET: How did you get to this point in your career?
BL: Hard work.
ET: What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were younger?
BL: A lot. The scouts at how well you do, but they also look at how poorly you do. If you go 4-4, that’s great, but if you can go 0-4 and still contribute on defense, be a leader and bounce back the next game, that’s even better.
ET: How is your nutrition?
BL: I actually started eating really well and lost about 25 pounds and it is definitely giving me more energy and helping me play at a higher level. It wasn’t easy, but I stuck to it.
Laird also shared with me the fact that he didn’t even make varsity in his first year of high school. “You can’t control that – you just have to go out and play your game and focus on the things you can control.”
Derek Jeter and Pete Rose also gave Laird some great advice (watch the video below).
As you know, after my conversation with Laird, he went out on the field and became only the second person in team history to hit for the cycle.
I could tell just by talking to Brandon that he had the right mindset and that he will go far. In fact, I gave him a copy of my book and signed it, “See you in the Bronx, Ed.”
Brandon Laird is a great player, but more importantly, he is a great person.
Watch the video below for part of our conversation…
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Brandon-Laird-Pinstripes2.jpg400267adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-05-28 10:01:022010-05-28 10:01:02MESSAGE #1039 EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH BRANDON LAIRD
In this video blog, Ed reports from the Mrs. G’s VIB (Very Important Blogger) event at the Trenton Thunder. Checkout the exclusive interview with Yankee prospect, Brandon Laird, who hit for the cycle in the game (including a walk-off home run).
Tonight I will have a press pass for the Trenton Thunder (Double-A Affiliate, New York Yankees) game with some VIBs, Very Important Bloggers, including Hillary Morris and Debbie Schaeffer. I hope Warren Bobrow will be there because he is a food blogger and I am a foodie.
I have the honor of interviewing a player in the locker room before the game and then will be live streaming from the press box. And yes, I will have a video blog tomorrow.
So have a great day everyone and let me leave you with one of my favorite baseball quotes by the great philosopher, Yogi Berra…
Slump? I ain’t in no slump… I just ain’t hitting.
https://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Thunder_VIB_BADGE2.jpg200144adminhttps://www.edtseng.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/TsengLogo211-2.pngadmin2010-05-26 06:59:232010-05-26 06:59:23MESSAGE #1037 I'M IN THE MINORS!
