By Bob Miller
At 12:30 in the morning, Red Sox manager Alex Cora offered a lesson for managers and coaches in all walks of life, including medical sales
What makes a manager or coach successful? I believe it’s a combination of many factors — leadership, setting examples, having a plan of action with specific follow-up times. treating people with respect, listening to the people you are managing, pointing out areas that need work, and seizing the moment, just to name a few.
In short, you need to make an impact. Like rookie Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora did after Game 3 of this fall’s World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Game 3 began in Los Angeles at 5:13 p.m. on Friday, and ended more than 7 hours later – 12:30 a.m. — on Saturday morning. The Red Sox lost the marathon 3-to-2, with a walk-off home run by Dodger Max Muncy.
“Everyone in the clubhouse – right now!” said Cora after the game. (By the way, Cora doesn’t like meetings, so you knew this was important.) “Listen up,” he said. “You just played in one of the greatest games in World Series history. And the way you competed is something all of us should be proud of. This is a great team you played. This was a great game.”
Then he singled out Nathan Eovaldi, the relief pitcher who threw six innings when he was supposed to pitch just two. Eovaldi had sacrificed everything by continuing to pitch so that the other starters could rest for the next game. Cora praised him for his effort and unselfishness. And when he finished, the team burst into a standing ovation. There were tears in the locker room and big-time hugs by every player and coach, all of whom thanked Eovaldi for his unbelievable effort.
It was the defining moment of the Series. After that meeting and the outpouring of emotion, the players said, “It didn’t feel like we lost, but that we won.”
A short while later, Cora was in his office and looked up to see a line outside his office. There were Price, Porcello and Sale, all the top pitchers for the Red Sox, whose combined contracts are about $322 million. They told Cora they were ready to pitch the next game whenever they were needed.
Praising a pitcher after he had just lost, and making sure everyone on the team knew what he had done for the team in defeat? Hey, how do you think that made the Eovaldi feel?? Fantastic and appreciated. How do you think it made the team feel? Fired up.
That was a special moment. And Cora had proven he was a great manager.
In Saturday night’s game, the Dodgers led by four runs going into the 7th inning. But Boston rallied to win that game – and later, the World Series.
Good managers make a huge difference in how people perform in all walks of life. They read situations and bring to the table something they hope is going to make a difference. So, if you are a manager, take your job seriously and work to shape the people you manage in a positive but realistic way.
Bob Miller is executive vice president of sales, Gericare Medical Supply, Monroeville, Alabama.