Show Me the Money

I’ve tried to let a good 24 hours pass before I verbalize my thoughts on Albert Pujols’ dash for cash to the West Coast. When I heard the news yesterday that Pujols would no longer don the “Birds on the Bat” I was stunned. In simple terms, I just couldn’t believe it was true. With all of the unconfirmed reports that had come from the Winter Meetings the previous 48 hours, I knew this just had to be a false report.

Well, much to my chagrin, it wasn’t a rumor, it wasn’t an unconfirmed report. Pure and simple it was a cold reality. As a life-long Cardinal fan, I’ve never experienced the array of emotions as I tried to fathom Albert to Anaheim. I just couldn't make sense of it all. Throughout this whole process I never thought that Albert would leave.

My initial thoughts took me back to Game 7 of the World Series when Albert came to the plate and we all knew it would be his last at bat of the season. In true form, the Cardinal fans stood and cheered Albert to not only honor him for his performance over the previous 11 years, but also let him warmly know they didn’t want him to leave. It was if 50,000 fans collectively got on their knees and begged him not to leave.

So I thought to myself, “I sure hope Albert has a video of that moment, because he’ll never experience that within the walls of Busch Stadium again.” And frankly, he’ll never experience the loyalty that Cardinals fans have shown, and would have shown him…EVER. (Apologies to all of the Angel fans, but it’s true.)

As the day wore on, I just couldn’t believe that Albert would give up the chance to play his entire career in St. Louis and sit alongside Stan Musial as the greatest Cardinal ever. I couldn’t understand why he would give up the moments of returning to Busch Stadium after his retirement, wearing his red sports coat and being honored as one of the Cardinal greats. Other than the Yankees, no team celebrates and honors its Hall of Famers more than the Cardinals and Albert would have been in the group.

Albert would have surpassed Brock, Gibby, Ozzie and Red and rivaled Musial as the greatest, most loved Cardinal ever. Schoendienst, who has been a Cardinal longer than anyone and was Musial’s roommate during their playing days said it best, “It's a funny thing. If he had stayed here, he could have had a statue right up next to Musial's.” For those of you not from St. Louis, that’s a BIG deal. Other than the Gateway Arch, Stan Musial’s statue is the most popular and well-known monument in the city.

But Albert chose otherwise. Look, for 11 years he gave Cardinal Fans memory after memory and in today’s crazy MLB salaries, he did it a bargain price. Not bargain to me and you, but bargain in the bizarro world of baseball. Make no mistake, Albert earned his pay day and he earned the right to hit the market and see what was out there. It didn’t matter how much I, or how much Cardinal nation, wanted Albert to make an emotional decision and choose legends and loyalty over dollars and cents, this came down to a business decision for all parties involved. In the end, I think that’s what disappoints me the most.

From a business standpoint, I would venture to guess that 99% of us would take $250 million (guaranteed mind you) and run. Heck, I’d move to Fairbanks, Alaska for $250 million. To the 1% that wouldn’t, you are lying.

In the short-term, as a Cardinals fan, this hurts. Within a matter of 6 weeks, we’ve gone from joy of winning the World Series, to losing the cornerstone of the franchise. Talk about experiencing the full range of emotions. However, in the long run, this is a good business move. There have been four, not counting Albert’s, 10 year contracts given out in baseball history and those clubs who have given those contracts out have all said it was a mistake. For a mid-market team like St. Louis this contract could have hurt the Cardinals far more than it could have helped them. Sure it hurts to see Albert gone, but the franchise is bigger than the player and I think when it’s all said and done, we’ll be glad to not be saddled with a huge 10-year contract.

I predict before this contract runs its course, the Angels will regret making this deal. The last person to sign a similar deal to Pujols’ was Alex Rodriguez when he turned 32, which is the ‘reported’ age of Pujols. Before Rodriguez signed his contract, he averaged 154 games per season and hit .306/.389/.578. His numbers have dipped significantly since, and he has played an average of 30 fewer games over the first four years. Even Yankee executives admit that the deal is a disaster. (HT to Jeff Passan, YahooSports!.com)

For several years now, Albert has had heel problems and elbow problems. He’s had offseason elbow surgery twice and is one throw home away from needing career altering Tommy John surgery. Frankly, a 10 year deal just isn’t smart, even if the player is Albert Pujols.

I’ve run the gamut of emotions over the last 24 hours and it has led me to this. All sides of this deal have done what they think is best for them. Albert, the Cardinals and the Angels. Gone are the days of playing baseball simply for the love of the game. I guess it’s my naiveté, but my disappointment lies in the fact that Albert should have been a Cardinal his entire career. Bill DeWitt said it, John Mozeliak said it and even Albert said it himself. Frankly, I think if Albert wanted to be a Cardinal bad enough, he could have been and he still would have made more money than he’ll spend in a lifetime.

At the end of the day, the color of Albert’s uniform isn’t changing. He’s going from Cardinal red to Angel red. But make no mistake about it; his decision had everything to do with the color green.

GOP Shouldn’t be Too Excited Over Last Night’s Victory

Yesterday’s election was indeed historic. Republicans rode a massive tidal wave of anger and angst to a new majority in the House of Representatives and nearly pulled off a takeover in the Senate. Minus the Democrats barely holding on to the Senate, it was almost a repeat of 1994, however Republican did gain more seats in the House (63) than they did in 1994 (54).

It was the largest loss by a president’s party in almost 7 decades. Before 1994, the largest party switches occurred with 55 seats in 1942 and 71 seats in 1938, which was before state legislatures began redrawing congressional districts each decade to ensure incumbents' safe reelection, reducing large swings. Historically, the largest membership swing ever was in 1894. That occurred during a similar time of economic uncertainty during another Democratic administration (Grover Cleveland).

Ironically, the same soaring rhetoric that led to Obama’s victory in 2008 is what defeated him and Democrats yesterday. Voters are clearly dissatisfied with Obama's oft-promised but lame job creation numbers, the lack of economic recovery from hundreds of billions in stimulus spending, concerns over continuing spending, mounting federal deficits and staggering national debt. While the deficits and debt are not all Obama’s fault, he clearly has done nothing to hold it in check or reduce it. This is clearly a case where candidate Obama over promised and under delivered as President Obama.

However, as John Boehner and the crew are measuring for drapes in the Speaker’s Office, Republicans shouldn’t brag too much about their victories. The results of last night should be put in perspective. The message the American people sent last night was not one of acceptance of the Republican platform or message, it was more of a rejection of President Barack Obama and the work, or lack thereof, done by the Democratic Congress over the last two years

The victory by Republicans yesterday is the equivalent of winning a baseball game on a bases-loaded walk. It wasn’t necessarily earned, it was given. Last night, voters did exactly what they did in 2008 and 2006. Instead of voting a political party INTO power, they voted a political party OUT of power.

Miraculously, Republicans have been given a second chance. They may not have earned it, but it is theirs nonetheless. Soon to be Speaker John Boehner has promised fiscal restraint, but so did Republicans back in 1994. My friend, Congressman Zach Wamp, has said several times that those same Republicans that were elected in 1994 soon became more concerned about re-election than they did about the conservative principles for which they were elected. That philosophical change of course led to their demise in 2006 when they lost majorities in the House and Senate.

John Boehner has called this victory a mandate and maybe he is right. But the new majority cannot misread this mandate as the President and Democrats did two years ago. This mandate calls for government to be smaller, for reducing our national debt, for reigning in spending, for reducing taxes on small business and most of all, for creating an environment where our economy can grow and create jobs.

Republicans have been given an opportunity. This time around though, Republicans must EARN the right to keep their majority in 2012. The judgment on this new majority begins today as does the 2012 race for Congress and for President. Many political pundits predicted a short 24 months ago that the Republican Party was dead, saying it had no vision and no leadership. However the winds of political change and the patience of the American voter have shown that political death is now not only temporary, but apparently short-lived.

Salute to my Mom

October is the month of ghouls, goblins, witches and wizards. It’s the month of candy and costumes, and the month to scare or be scared. However, last year, about this same time, my family received a scare, and not one of the Halloween type. This scare was real. It was life and death. Unfortunately, it’s a scare that roughly 13% of women in the United States and their families will face in a lifetime.

You see, about a year ago, my mom was one of the estimated 207,090 women diagnosed with breast cancer. With that news, suddenly, the month of October became about survival. Thankfully, when it comes to survival, my mother is always up to the task.

I remember the weeks following her diagnosis and the questions that followed. Is my mom going to lose her hair, is she going to get sick, is it in the lymph nodes and yes, is she going to survive? I wasn't prepared to answer those questions and I wasn’t prepared to explain to my then six year old son what the word ‘cancer’ meant. Frankly, in my narrow minded thinking, cancer was always something that happened to other people.

One thing I didn’t question though was if my mom was going to fight. I had no doubt that she was going to fight and over the last 12 months, she has not disappointed. Yes, she’s lost her hair and yes, she’s gotten sick. She’s missed work, but honestly, she’s been to work more than she’s missed. She got a couple of great wigs, and a few ugly ones too. Most importantly, she never lost her always authentic smile. She has handled this with the grace, strength and faith that only my mom can.

Now, her fight isn’t over. While she’s finished with chemo treatments, she’s still going through some experimental treatment options. Other minor aches, pains and things not quite right with the body are now scrutinized a little closer by her doctors. She still gets tired quickly but her hair is growing back, albeit a little curlier and a different color.

Mom still has a long road ahead of her, but she does so with the unwavering love and support of her family and many dedicated friends here in Tennessee and Missouri. She has also had unbelievable support and encouragement from her employer, Armstrong Relocation. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Armstrong Relocation and the unbelievable grace and compassion they have shown to my mom. They are truly good and wonderful people.

I’ve learned a lot over the last year. Frankly, I’ve learned more about my mom’s breast than I ever care to know. I’ve also learned that while pink may be a feminine color, it represents survival, grit, determination and strength. It represents the 2.5 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. Thankfully, my mom is joining the ranks of the survivors.

So now October for this family is no longer about Halloween. For my family and millions of other families across the country, this month is about National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I’m proud of my mom and I admire her for her strength and unwavering faith that she is showing during her fight. I salute not only my mom, but all of the women who have been diagnosed, fought, won or are still fighting breast cancer. You are all heroes.

Leadership = Vision

I took the Labor Day weekend to sit back and think about what I wanted to write about on this blog. There were several thoughts that crossed my mind but I kept coming back to the topic of leadership.

Without going into too much detail, over the last year and a half or so, I’ve learned and witnessed a lot about leadership. I’ve had an insider’s view of a gubernatorial campaign, how it works, and what it takes to be the chief executive of a state.

I’ve also seen a firsthand account of poor and inept leadership. (For the record, these examples were in no way connected to my job or the Governor’s race.) I’ve seen how it doesn’t work and a prime example of how to NOT be a chief executive, but also how to tear down an organization and its people.

One of the things that I most admired about Zach Wamp was his vision. It drove his campaign for Governor and it was a driving force for those of us who worked for him. He believed that Tennessee’s next Governor should go beyond managing the” problem of the day.” Zach felt deep down that Tennessee needed a Governor that was thinking 10-20 years down the road. He wanted to set an agenda that was good for today and even better for tomorrow.

With that in mind, Zach wrote his “20/20 Vision for an Even Better Tennessee.” We posted it on his campaign website for all to read. I had many folks ask me if Zach really did write the plan or did his “consultants” actually write it. My response was always, Zach’s vision was Zach’s vision. He wrote it—he articulated it – he communicated it.

I would work for Zach Wamp at any time and any place. I voted for, and wanted to follow Zach, because he was a leader. He may have fallen short in his bid for Governor, but no one can say that Zach Wamp lacked vision. Those of us who worked for Zach spent long hours, worked weekends and sacrificed time with loved ones because we were inspired by that vision. Ask any of us who worked for him and I can assure you we can all recite Zach’s "20/20 Vision for an Even Better Tennessee” point by point.

Ironically, and almost in parallel with my time with Zach Wamp, I also saw a firsthand example of a leader who has no vision – no articulation of a vision – no communication of a vision. As a result, that organization is now suffering.

John Maxwell’s book, The 21 Indispensible Qualities of a Leader, says this about vision:

Vision is everything for a leader. It is utterly indispensible. Why? Because vision leads the leader. It paints the target. It sparks and fuels the fire from within, and draws him forward. It is also the fire lighter for others who follow that leader. Show me a leader without vision, and I’ll show you someone who isn’t going anywhere. At best, he is traveling in circles.

This second experience has often led me to this analogy. You would never get on an airplane without a pilot that is going to an unknown destination. When you sit down in a plane, you want to know there is someone flying the plane and that he knows where he’s going.

It’s the same with a job or an organization. Before you invest your time and energy into it, it’s best to know where you’re going, and how you’re getting there.

I’ve been struck by the comparisons that I’ve been allowed to witness through these two very different experiences. At one instance I’ve been inspired and motivated by the vision of one leader and often confused and infuriated by the lack of vision of the other leader.

One leader I chose to follow, one leader I’ve chose to abandon.

Zach often quoted Proverbs 29:18 in his stump speeches. That particular verse reads, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” It’s very true. Whether you work in the public or private sector the future success of an organization depends on several factors, but none is more important than the leader’s vision for that organization.

If you don’t know the vision for your organization, ask. If the leader of your organization cannot emphatically answer that question, then there are probably some more serious questions that need to be asked.

NOTE: I mentioned this earlier in this post, but I want to reiterate a point to clear up any confusion. When I am referring to the poor and inept leadership that I've witnessed over the last year and a half, it has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with my job at AkinsCrisp NOR does it have ANYTHING to do with the Governor's race.

I am proud to associate myself with AkinsCrisp Public Strategies. When I come to work everyday, I know the vision that my bosses have set forth for their company. I know that I'm fortunate enough to be with one of the best and most respected public strategy firms in Tennessee.

My reference to the organization under poor leadership is vague, and I realize that. It is vague because I do not have permission to use names and organizations and it is not my intent to speak ill of anyone. I used this as an example only to show the contrast in leadership and vision that I have been privy to over the last year and a half.

Where Have I Been?

There has been a lot happen since my last post in January. Obviously, that hasn’t included posting here on my blog.

For those of you who don’t know, I spent all of 2009 and nine months of 2010 working on the Tennessee Gubernatorial campaign for Congressman Zach Wamp. Congressman Wamp hired the firm I work for, AkinsCrisp Public Strategies, to handle his media, communications and strategic messaging throughout the campaign.

Unfortunately, after a long, hard fought battle, Zach came up short in the Republican Primary losing to Knoxville Mayor, and soon to be Governor of Tennessee, Bill Haslam.

Zach Wamp is a leader. He is one of the most passionate individuals that I have ever been around. His energy is contagious and he is someone you want to follow. He is a tremendous man of faith and he has a wonderful family. I will always be proud to have associated myself with this good man.

I still fully believe that Zach was, by far, the best candidate in the Republican field, however at the end of the day, Zach’s service in Washington probably ended up costing him the election. Well, that and the fact that Mayor Haslam spent about $15 million to our $4 million.

I refrained from posting on the Governor’s race throughout the campaign because it’s virtually impossible to be a consultant and a pundit and the same time. Believe me, I had some opinions. I would love to still comment on Governor’s race now in Tennessee but I’m not going to for two reasons.

1. There is no chance for Mike McWherter to win, so what’s the point.
2. Anything I say critical of, or to challenge, Bill Haslam will be seen as sour grapes regardless of my intent, so again, what’s the point.

Bill Haslam will be the next Governor of Tennessee (barring a collapse of epic proportions) and he will do so at a critical time in Tennessee’s history. Budget deficits and high unemployment will immediately challenge the management and business skills that Mayor Haslam boasts about. As a taxpayer, I hope those skills are as good as advertised.

So what in the world am I going to write about? Well, thankfully there is plenty of politics on the national scene, a mid-term election in about 60 days, football is starting up and baseball is coming down the home stretch.

As I reengage on this blog, I hope you will come back, post your opinions, disagree with me, challenge me or just read what I have to say. It won’t always be about politics, but regardless of the topic, you’ll know where I stand.

Why the Massachusetts Senate race is more important to Dems than the GOP

It’s no doubt that Republicans would love to win tomorrow’s special election to fill Teddy Kennedy’s Senate seat in Massachusetts. But let’s be honest, Republican’s are playing with house money.

Democrats are defending what is arguably their most loyal base. This seat has been a Democratic seat for 46 years. My mom was in second grade when Ted Kennedy won this seat. To put that into perspective, my mom now has a 6 year old grandson (And she looks wonderful by the way).

So why is more important that the Dems win this seat?

1. It’s Massachusetts. It’s one of the most liberal states in the country. This should be a slam dunk for Democrats.

2. It’s Teddy’s seat. With the emotional pull of keeping this seat for the “Lion of the Senate,” the polls shouldn’t even be close.

3. Obama won huge a little over a year ago and was the second coming. He’s campaigning there.

4. Bill Clinton, the most popular Democratic President in my generation has campaigned there.

5. The Republican, State Senator Scott Brown, has made it clear that he’s against ObamaCare and has also made several very conservative stands. Again, it’s Massachusetts, not Alabama, so that should make it real easy for Democrats.

Having said all of that, the polls are trending towards Brown. A defeat in Massachusetts going into mid-term elections in November could be a major momentum boost to Republicans.

A Republican victory tomorrow night would tell us some very important things.

1. What is says about Obama. Obama took McCain to the woodshed in November 2008. In Massachusetts the vote wasn’t even close. Obama had almost 1.9 million votes and beat McCain by roughly 800,000 votes. So I don’t care what the Obama folks would have you believe, this vote is completely about the direction Obama has taken this country since taking office almost a year ago.

2. What it says about Democrats. Remember, just 4 years ago, pundits and politicians across the country were declaring the GOP dead when they virtually lost everything in the 2006 mid-terms. This vote isn’t about how strong the GOP is now. Republicans haven’t rebounded. They still don’t have a leader. They don’t have the Newt Gingrich of 1994. They are still searching for their voice. In spite of all that, the Democrats still have to defend one of their most reliable bases.

3. Obama is even pulling Bill Clinton's popularity down.

Tomorrow is going to be an interesting night for Democrats. They should win this race, but polling is not trending in their favor. If this race goes to the GOP, which CNN is reporting the White House believes it will, it says much more about the Democrats than it does the Republicans.

McGwire Admits to Steroids…and We’re Shocked?

So Mark McGwire finally admitted to what 99.9% of Americans already knew. He used steroids. As a Cardinal fan, and a Mark McGwire fan (still), all I can say is “thanks.” Thanks for finally admitting what we all knew.

Look, what McGwire did was undoubtedly wrong. He cheated, plain and simple. Was he the only one that cheated in his generation? Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock over the last few years, there is no question that he was not.

To make matters worse for Big Mac, his embarrassing testimony in front of Congress in 2005 was like watching a car wreck. It was terrible, but you couldn’t help but keep watching. But in a desperate attempt to salvage his reputation, he listened to lawyers. Ask Tiger Woods how listening to lawyers works these days.

McGwire did today what he should have done before he was even asked to testify in front of Congress. Americans are forgiving people, especially to their sports legends. Look at Kobe Bryant, Darryl Strawberry, Magic Johnson, Andy Petite, Alex Rodriguez and Chipper Jones to name a few. All have had personal failings that became public, but all have returned from those embarrassing and difficult moments to rehabilitate their reputations and regain their glory. Why? Because at some point each came clean with their indiscretions and were honest about what they had done. Their roads back weren’t always short and smooth, but the road back always started with some sort of admission of wrong doing.

To put that into perspective, look at the stars that followed McGwire’s path of silence and denials. Tiger Woods and Roger Clemens have ruined their respective reputations. Tiger, the best golfer ever, has vanished after it became known he had multiple affairs. He’s lost several sponsors and is taking an indefinite break from the game he loves. Clemens, one of the best pitchers of his generation, has become a flat out joke after denying he used steroids in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary.

Had McGwire come clean years ago, he very well could have saved his tarnished image and could even be in the Hall of Fame. But he didn’t. He chose to keep quiet, dodge and weave and it finally caught up to the slugger today. Now he has one more hurdle to climb and that time is coming in the very near future. He has to face the media.

McGwire will start as the hitting coach for the St. Louis Cardinals next month when pitchers and catchers report for spring training. Before he dons the “Birds on the Bat” and the red number 25, he has to face the media and answer the tough and embarrassing questions.

As a PR executive I would give him this advice. Sit there, as long as you have to, and admit everything. He needs to tell HIS story, the one that until today, none of us knew (as a fact). McGwire needs to tell why he did it, and tell when he did it. Describe how he hid it and why he hid it. Explain his guilt of not coming clean, and how painful it was to admit to his family, and in particular his son, that he had indeed used steroids. He needs to admit his shame and the regret he has for letting down teammates, fans, himself and most of all his family. Then, as painful as it will be, he needs to answer every question from every reporter. Sit there until they have asked every question and he’s answered every one of them.

Matter of fact, McGwire needs to do the very opposite of what he’s done the last 5 years. Be open, be honest and be contrite. He’s not going to take a bigger hit on his public image. That was ruined the day he appeared before Congress. However, McGwire CAN start putting this story to rest, but he has to come clean on all fronts and put everything on the table. Leave no stone unturned and clean out the closet.

Look, Big Mac needs to just realize that he only admitted what many of us suspected anyhow. Many fans just wanted him to admit it so they could finally move on, and frankly so he could move on too. I’m actually relieved that this is out there.

When the rubber meets the road, Mark McGwire, later in his career, was a disciplined hitter that knew the strike zone and waited on his pitch. He was patient and very seldom did he swing at a bad pitch. The steroids may have helped his power, but it didn’t help his approach to hitting which is exactly why the Cardinals hired him. McGwire has privately helped several MLB hitters behind the scenes and all of them have experienced some form of success as a result.

Mark McGwire is going to be burned at the stake today. Those in the media that scalded him for not being open and honest about his “alleged” steroid use yesterday, are going to be the ones that are scalding him for being open and honest about his steroid use today.

When the sun comes up tomorrow, Mark McGwire begins the long road to repairing his reputation. The best way for that to be done is to continue to lay all of his cards on the table. The first and hardest step was completed today, and frankly, I’m glad it’s out. I’m thrilled that McGwire is coming back to baseball. I’m also happy that he’s had this burden lifted. Welcome back Big Mac, now let’s play ball.