A Leader In Sports And Elsewhere

Dusty Baker is a “player’s manager”

On top of everything else they do, leaders of organizations like sports teams must set a positive example of good behavior on a personal level. We currently live in strange times, where fundamental principles have often been vigorously shaken  – and not just in professional sports. Bad behavior by political leaders has become so common we barely react anymore because our expectations are so low.

All of this is why leaders, mentors and coaches are so important in the professional sports world for the positive example they can set. Dusty Baker, the relatively new manager of the Houston Astros, is a perfect example of the right leader for the Astros, whose cheating scandal is still hard to get one’s arms around.
 

Baker has applied his mentoring skills in two distinct industries with success: wine making and solar energy. He’s the kind of person who is likely to be successful at whatever challenge he faces. His integrity, honesty and genuine caring for others are hard to beat.
 
A retired U. S. Marine Corps reservist, he is an accomplished builder of talent and accepts responsibility for mistakes. He inspires and motivates others. He’s not the sort of leader who will lie to cover up for others, put his ego ahead of what’s best for the team, throw others under the bus, take credit for victories, dodge his responsibilities, or blame others. He has the respect of his peers in sports and in private industry.

From dealing previously with some significant financial issues to ensuring that the San Francisco Giants great slugger, Barry Bonds, literally and figuratively “kept his eye on the ball” in the steroid era, from some cardiovascular problems to prostate cancer, Baker has handled whatever has been thrown his way with his characteristic humor, optimism and faith.

And, of course, there’s racism. Seventy-three years after Jackie Robinson first appeared in “Dodger blue” in Ebbets Field, there are only two African-American managers in the major leagues and very few serve as executives in MLB front offices. Unsurprising, there are no African-American majority owners.

The Astros cheating scandal was a stain that will remain for some time: cheaters often have short-term success but more important to consider is the scandal’s impact on the youth of America and their views about baseball in general. As Opening Day approached earlier this spring, a growing chorus of players from other teams were making themselves heard. Perhaps COVID-19 will diminish the resentment directed at the Astros when baseball resumes. Time will tell.

For Dusty Baker to make a success of the Astros moving forward, he should:
 

 
Baker should adopt a zero tolerance policy with regard to cheating. He will have to inspire the team in the face of enormous challenges brought on by not only their past but how major league sports will adapt to the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic. This could mean new ways of practicing or playing in a stadium without any fans, both of which could change the dynamics of the game.

Success in baseball requires a true team effort, and Baker will have to get his players to truly believe that few pleasures are more meaningful than participating as part of something bigger than themselves. As legendary Michigan football coach Bo Schembechler said, it is “THE TEAM, THE TEAM, THE TEAM.”

If anyone can pull this off, it’s mentor and coach par excellence, Dusty Baker. 

Ritch K. Eich, Ph.D (Michigan), is a retired U.S. Naval Reserve captain and health care executive who has published four books on leadership with a fifth being released this summer. He has served on more than a dozen boards of directors and trustees of both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. He currently serves on the International Editorial Board of the Journal of Values-Based Leadership. Connect Ritch K. Eich