Run Your Own Route
"Be yourself; everyone else is already taken."
– Oscar Wilde
Run Your Own Route
Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life
In the 1920s, baseball was undergoing a transformation. The “small ball” strategy—creating runs by bunting, stealing, and aggressive baserunning—was being overshadowed by the rise of the home run. Fans flocked to see Babe Ruth smash the ball over the fence and were mesmerized by the sheer power of his swing. Amidst this craze stood Ty Cobb, the greatest hitter of the dead-ball era. He bemoaned the shift, believing that the art of well-placed hits and daring base running was being lost in the pursuit of power.
Cobb wasn't one to merely grumble from the dugout, though. He wanted to show the world that while he could adapt to this new style, it wasn't the game he believed in. On May 5, 1925, at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Cobb made his point in dramatic fashion. Telling a reporter he was aiming for home runs for the first time in his career, the 38-year-old Cobb went 6-for-6 at the plate, hitting three home runs in that game. Cobb had 16 bases on the day, breaking the modern-era record for a single game. Cobb continued his display of power the next day, adding two more home runs to his tally.
With this performance, Cobb showed he could change his game and hit the long ball like Babe Ruth could. Even so, Cobb quickly returned to his signature style, focusing on slap singles and swiping bases. Cobb's point was clear: he could be like Ruth if he wanted to, but he didn’t believe that was the right way to play. “This game is all power,” Cobb remarked, watching Ruth during batting practice. “I feel bad about it, for it isn’t the game I like to see or play.”
Ty Cobb’s story provides us with an important takeaway: don’t try to be someone else. Just because you can emulate others doesn't mean it's the best path for you. Cobb showed that he could change his game, but he chose to excel in the way that was true to him. And for Babe Ruth, that meant swinging for the fences. Embrace your unique skills and strengths. The world doesn't need another someone else; it needs the best version of you.
"Don’t compromise yourself – you’re all you have."
– John Grisham
Connecting this quote to the story. Ty Cobb refused to conform to the home run trend that others celebrated, and instead valued his unique skills and approach to the game. It was the player he was and he didn’t try to be anyone else.
Chasing Influence tip: Great leaders know when to break the mold and pave their own path without caving to the pull of popular opinion.
If you enjoyed this story, a series of three Chasing Influence workbooks is available. Stories are accompanied by discussion questions and answers. Each workbook contains 33 lessons to use with any team.
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©Troy Urdahl, 2024