Doing What It Takes for a Team Win

In the feature film Rookie of the Year, Gary Busey plays the part of a one time great major league pitcher, Chet “Rocket” Steadman who has his playing time reduced.

A young pitching phenom, Henry Rowengartner is signed for the team. The reality of playing ball hasn’t set in yet with Henry. He is thrilled to be meeting the players he has only read about and seen on TV. As a pitcher he worships “Rocket” Steadman.

Chet Steadman: Do me a favor: Don’t call me “Rocket”.

Henry Rowengartner: Why not?

Chet Steadman: ‘Cause I’m not the “Rocket” anymore.

Henry Rowengartner: Yeah, I don’t get it, you’re throwing so slow.

Chet Steadman: Well, Thank you very much.

Steadman knows his days are numbered. When Henry is introduced into the line-up, Steadman is asked by a reporter, “How does it feel to be out pitched by a twelve-year old?” He replies, “I don’t care who out pitches me,” indeed all he cares about is the team. The same feeling should permeate both sports and business.

In the movie Steadman becomes a teacher, friend, and mentor to the youngster. Henry is only playing because a broken arm has left him with an incredible fast ball. Steadman gives the rookie a piece of advice, “Henry, don’t take this serious. But it’s nothing to joke about. But one day, your gift will be gone.”

The team supports the effort to win the division championship. At the end of the movie we know that the team has won the World Series, but we don’t see them win it. What we see is that in the championship game, both Steadman and Henry lose their gift.

Steadman has gone through physical therapy and with one pitch late in the game he knows that his career as a pitcher is over. Henry is sent in as a relief pitcher for the final inning. Walking onto the field he slips and lands on his pitching arm. We know that his gift in gone and one pathetic practice pitch proves it.

Instead of taking himself out of the game or simply throwing a few pitches to the opposing team and losing the game, Henry signals for his teammates on the field to join him on the pitching mound. He explains what the problem is and asks for their assistance. He has a plan. With a little trickery and good ball handling, they win the division.

The team plays through the World Series and is victorious without the physical gifts of Steadman and Rowengartner. That is the trademark of a great team. It’s easy to win games with good players. It’s easy to have successful projects with great workers, but in the end a team or a business that can win without the superstars has reached a level of success seen by few. A great team has players or workers that care more about the team than they do for individual attention. A pitcher or a salesman shouldn’t ultimately care if someone younger or newer on their team out pitches them as long as the team wins.