In honor of the MLB playoffs I picked Baseball at this week’s Workplace. Ok, granted…not many of us work as baseball players. Heck, some baseball players don’t even work. I’m talking to you, Manny. That’s right. I went there. Negative thinking works wonders in baseball. Balanced out with positive outcomes, players and managers are constantly using negative thinking to their advantage. Let’s see how, shall we?
Relievers: They exist solely because so few pitchers can be successful pitching the entire game. Even the best pitchers, who complete a lot of games, don’t win them. They get tired, they wear down. And before they do, the manager has to get the relievers up and ready. Hopefully in time to prevent disasters. Also you need to get more than one ready in case the one you bring in explodes like a nuclear weapon. Every dependable reliever for the Boston Red Sox, please step forward. Not so fast, Eric Gagne.
Pinch hitters: For whatever reason; the pitcher can’t hit, a batter hits poorly against a certain pitcher, whatever. At some point, the manager has to look at his current hitter and recognize his weaknesses, thus putting in a pinch hitter. Same with a pinch runner. They need speed on the bases, they have a tugboat at first. Pinch run him with someone who can get the job done. You want to put players in to use their strengths. But you need to recognize their weaknesses in certain situations.
Setting a line up: You have a guy in a slump. Sometimes you let him hit out of it. Isn’t that right, Dustin Pedroia? That’s positive thinking. Other times, you let him ride the pine or even trade them and you put someone else in there that can get the job done. That’s negative thinking.
Predicting outcomes, thinking about how you’re going to pitch to the next batter if your pitcher gives up a hit. It all comes into play.
And being a life-long Red Sox fan has had no impact in my thought process.
OK.
Maybe a little. J
