No playing around with pain
Pride. Heroism. Fear. Whatever is behind it, there's no good reason for a star to perform if physically unable to meet even the minimal standards of his profession. The most recent example is Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez, who tried three times to pitch in calf muscle pain and now is out for the year with a torn calf tendon. He considers himself a team leader and didn't want to let his teammates (and presumably fans) down, but his body wouldn't let him succeed. Nobody should accuse him of wimping out, whether he tried or not.
It's not just the rich and famous. We all have days when we know we're not 100 percent physically. If we're only functioning at 80 percent but can still do the job, then we should give 100 percent of that 80 percent. But if the ailment interferes with meeting minimal standards of performance, then we should stay home and nurse our body back to good health. (If it's contagious, why spread it to others anyway?)
Underlying these decisions is an understanding of what's expected of anyone -- whether at work, at home, on a field or on a stage. As long as you have a realistic appreciation of those expectations, then your decisions are beyond reproach.
It's not just the rich and famous. We all have days when we know we're not 100 percent physically. If we're only functioning at 80 percent but can still do the job, then we should give 100 percent of that 80 percent. But if the ailment interferes with meeting minimal standards of performance, then we should stay home and nurse our body back to good health. (If it's contagious, why spread it to others anyway?)
Underlying these decisions is an understanding of what's expected of anyone -- whether at work, at home, on a field or on a stage. As long as you have a realistic appreciation of those expectations, then your decisions are beyond reproach.
posted by Larry Benjamin at 10:55 AM
2 Comments:
What I like about Pedro Martinez is, beyond the stardom that comes with being a top-notch pitcher, he is a guy who simply wants to get the job done. He doesn't like to come out of games, even when he's losing. I get the feeling, with him, it's not just a matter of the glory of a big win. It's also the great (and simple) satisfaction of accomplishment.
Pedro Martinez is coward that showed his true colors when he beat up 72 year-old Don Zimmer.
Photo of Pedro Martinez Throwing an Old Man to the Ground
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