Are You The Roger Clemens Of Your Profession?
Here we go again.
The New York Yankees have hired 45 year old Roger Clemens to come back and pitch for the remainder of the 2007 season. That isn’t so much the news as what the Yankees have agreed to pay Clemens.
The Yankees feel Clemens is worth $18 million over the next five months, that’s if he actually pitches in October. You’ve seen all the blogs, newspapers and television stories about how much he makes per pitch, per inning, etc. Many people seem to be upset at Clemens for earning this much money for pitching every five days and being able to come and go as he pleases.
I say good for him!
In my humble opinion, this is all on the Yankees. If they didn’t want to pay him, they had the option of not signing him for the 2007 season. Clemens made it very clear that he was torn between retirement and playing another season. The Yankees said as recently as December 2006 that they would let Clemens leave the team in between starts to be with his family.
And here is where this story turns to your motivational nugget for the day.
There is nothing wrong with being paid what the market says you are worth. Roger Clemens is a freak. Last year he was the best pitcher on the Houston Astros after delaying his start to the season until May.
He has kept himself in unbelievable shape and has the mental toughness of a combat pilot. He is a surefire first ballot Hall Of Famer who will draw fans and help win games.
You know who is upset by his special arrangement with the Yankees?
The same people who are upset everyday with others who receive the same “special treatment.” This special treatment is usually reserved for people in the business world who don’t: arrive late to work, spend their first part of the morning talking to co-workers, make personal calls and send emails to friends, take an extended lunch and leave early.
The market will always pay you what you are worth.
Most people would rather sit around and say “Must be nice” when referring to champions who have made decisions to separate themselves from the herd and raise their market value.
Don’t blame people you work with for receiving Roger Clemens-like treatment. If you’re part of the “must be nice” crowd, look at the person receiving the special treatment and ask “what have they done differently? How have they separated themselves from the pack?” I know there are isolated situations like the boss’ son or daughter gets special treatment, that’s not what I’m referring to here.
It’s not Roger Clemens fault he stayed in great shape, won over 300 games and has lasted over 20 years in professional baseball. If the Yankees want to pay him $18 million for half a season, that’s their choice. Oh by the way, they weren’t the only team willing to pay that kind of money to Clemens. At 45, he’s still one of the best pitchers in baseball, which is amazing.
I’m not a Roger Clemens fan or a Yankees fan. I’m a fan of free enterprise and a fan of champions who do what it takes to be the best at their craft.
If you want some lame speaker to bore your audience to death, there’s a million to choose from. I know because I think I’ve heard everyone of them. If you want the “Roger Clemens of speakers” to ignite your team and leave them talking months after the presentation, hire Sam Crowley. That is how strongly I feel about what I do. Do you feel the same way about your profession?
If so, congratulations!
If not, it’s never too late to start being the best.
You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction.
Sam Crowley
