Go Rays

One of our passions for the past few months has been the Tampa Bay Rays. Even if you aren’t a baseball fan you might have heard that they made it into the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. This was equivalent of an African American or Woman making it to the White House . . . oh, wait, that is happening.

For 10 years, ever since their inception, the Rays were the worst team in baseball. The laughing stock for late-night talk show hosts. Suddenly they started winning. They didn’t have a starting pitcher all year who was over the age of 26 – which doesn’t surprise a Gen Y fan like me.

Cut to the chase. The magic of the season really became evident to me last weekend as we walked around Walt Disney World Epcot. Mary Kay and I both wore our Rays jerseys. A year ago you wouldn’t have even seen a Ray’s hat – or if you did you might snicker that there goes a person who makes a Cubs fan proud!

At Epcot we kept hearing the words, “Go Rays”. Those two magical words. On the side of the Valpak manufacturing center, which is just 10 miles north on the same road where the Rays play, were the words, “Valpak says, “Go Rays”.

This team, made up mostly of Gen Whyers, had the second lowest payroll in baseball. The Phillies payroll was almost 2 ½ times as large. But the Rays made it to the World Series by beating the White Sox and the Rex Sox who had payrolls over three times as large. How? With this group of excited, motivated fun-loving Gen Whyers.

Future superstars Even Longoria and David Price are just 23! Amazing! It started with someone, exactly my age, who understands how to coach and mentor Gen Ys – Ray’s Manager Joe Maddon.

For the playoffs and the World Series Maddon sported a Mohawk just like many of the Ray’s players. He is fun. He is positive – so positive that many of his players didn’t know how to take him when he came to the Rays. He has sayings in the clubhouse. Things like:

* Integrity has no need of rules. (Albert Camus)
* Attitude is a decision,
* Discipline yourself so no one else has to. (John Wooden)

Then there is his famous 9 = 8. During spring training he introduced this. It meant that 9 players playing hard and believing in themselves would = one of the 8 playoff spots. Imagine telling the WORST team in baseball in 2007 this.

It worked. His friends say the Maddon didn’t change in 2008 – his players did. They believed because he believed. His infectious positive attitude wore off on them.

As I’ve continued to say, Gen Y will be the greatest generation. The challenge comes to the Baby Boomers to guide and mentor them – just like Maddon did the Rays this year.

I was reminded of the power of this generation at a recent IFA-related (International Franchise Association Meeting) held at a local Melting Pot restaurant. Their President, Bob Johnston, talked about the power of this generation. Melting Pot has raised nearly $3 million for St. Jude’s Hospital, and most of the leg work was done by socially-aware people who are 27 years old or younger.

By the way, Mary Kay and I did have tickets to game six of the World Series. It never happened – at least this year! Go Gen Why. Go Melting Pot! Go Rays!