Out of the Park: The Pause that Powers the Push
Baseball doesn’t pause for much.
Not for Rich Hill, who at 45 became the oldest Royal in franchise history, tying a Major League record by pitching for his 14th team. Fittingly, he did it at Wrigley Field, where he made his debut for the Cubs 20 years ago.
Not for Adam Frazier, whose All-Star Break became an All-Star move as he changed teams and cities.
Not even for Randal Grichuk, who was pulled midgame from the visiting dugout in Pittsburgh last weekend when the Diamondbacks traded him to the Royals. He left his hotel at 3:30 a.m. for a flight to Kansas City and was in the lineup that same afternoon. His wife had been visiting family in Nebraska, so she rented a car, packed their two young kids, and drove straight to KC. When we hit the road again, she will return to Phoenix to pack up the rest of their life.
Star pitcher Seth Lugo held his breath as he faced the uncertainty of trade rumors. With a contract expiration looming, the thought of uprooting his family gave him reason to pause. Instead, the 2024 Cy Young runner-up signed an extension, locking in a new deal that let him stay where he’s comfortable.
Meanwhile, Kris Bubic will put his season on pause for the second time in three years due to injury. Still, he experienced his first All-Star Game and showed a renewed sense of possibility after his breakthrough season.
With so much going on before and after the break, sometimes you have to remind yourself to stop and look up.
That’s what I did earlier this month, when I noticed all the still photographers walking onto the field in between innings, cameras aimed skyward. Charlie Riedel of the AP caught me in the foreground of his shot and it’s one I will carry with me as a reminder that even in the chaos, there’s still something wonderful to be found.
The challenge is pausing long enough to experience it, inside and Out of the Park.
Stadium dreams
Fenway is one of a kind and will always be my favorite stadium. But every other year when the Royals visit Wrigley Field, it earns a place right alongside.
These ballparks are in a class of their own as Major League Baseball’s two oldest stadiums. Fenway opened in 1912, Wrigley in 1914, and each feels like a time capsule in the best kind of way.
Former Royal Eric Hosmer played for the Red Sox and the Cubs, and described the difference to me recently on my podcast like this: “Fenway feels like a cathedral, Wrigley feels like a state championship. Just constant energy and noise. Totally different vibes but both electric in their own way.”
Wrigley brings the energy from surrounding neighborhood bars, which spills right into the park at gametime. It’s such a tourist destination, especially for Midwestern fans, that the visiting team always has a presence. Cheering is constant, because one side is always happy.
Legendary Royals broadcaster Denny Matthews only works home games now but even he made the trip to Wrigley. His first game at the famed ballpark was with his grandmother when he was just five years old. This time, he joined us on the pregame show, and it was a privilege to have him.
Seeing the ivy and hearing the organ always makes me pause to soak in the atmosphere a little more than usual. Having moved to Chicago when I was 13, I try not to take it for granted like I did as kid.
Wrigley is one of baseball’s most special places. If you’ve never been, it deserves a top spot on your bucket list.
Local flavor
Susan and I kicked off the All-Star break with an overnight in Kansas City. Hours after the final game at Kauffman Stadium, we stepped away from the rhythm of ballpark life and actually slowed down long enough to enjoy our own city.
Dinner at MuNi Street Kitchen in the River Market? Unbelievable. I’m typically not one for hyperbole, so I don’t make this statement lightly, but we both agreed it was the best meal we’ve had in the 18 years we’ve lived here.
Muni is a Thai–Mexican fusion restaurant with a hip bar, an excellent cocktail menu, and a really cool vibe. We had margaritas and appreciated the natural ingredients. Every bite of food was exquisite.
The chorizo rangoon and Gapow beef empanadas were spectacular, but the Kow Soi Beef stole the show. Curries aren’t usually my preference, but every drop of that sauce was unforgettable.
We can’t wait to return and try even more of the menu.
Dugout dialogue
This month’s Dugout Dialogue wasn’t your typical ballpark sit-down.
Rex Hudler and I took rookies Noah Cameron and Tyler Tolbert on a morning adventure to Seattle’s iconic Pike Place Market. Neither of them had ever been, and their reactions were exactly what you’d hope for. It’s not every day elite athletes get the chance to catch a giant fish thrown their way.
Sometimes, the best way to build connection and gain momentum is to simply hit pause on routine. We got the reset we needed by stepping away from the stadium into the real world, and in this case, a cool breeze off Puget Sound.
speaking engagements
This is the time of year my fall and winter speaking calendar begins to fill up, and it is as true now as it always has been. Baseball commitments make it tougher to align availability during the summer, which is why I was especially excited to get back with my friends at BOK Financial and debut my new keynote, Breaking Barriers in the Ballpark of Change.
It’s always a great group. This time, our session focused on how to adapt to a changing work environment with topics including generational shifts in the workplace, handling adversity and learning from failure. I’m honored they once again trusted me to speak, and am grateful for the engagement they show so energetically.
If you have a game changing event coming up, it’s time we play ball. To inquire about my keynote series, event moderation or custom video content, just click the link below. A member of my team will get back to you right away.
Rounding the bases rewind
If you’re into grit and a little golf, my recent interview with Jon Mason is one you don’t want to miss. The founder of Swing Juice joined me on Rounding the Bases to share his story about stepping back to reassess before leaning into the creative spark. It turned a golf-themed idea into a nationally recognized lifestyle brand.
In a world that’s always pushing us to go faster, Jon’s story is a refreshing reminder that progress often starts with a pause. If you’re building something of your own, or just need a bit of perspective, this conversation is packed with the kind of thoughtful insight that only comes when you slow down long enough to listen. Trust me, this one’s worth your time. You can check it out here.
As always, I want to extend another huge thank you to each of the incredible guests who rounded the bases with me this month:
Our schedule is already booked into the fall, but we are always looking for interesting guests with standout stories. Would you or someone you know make a great guest on Rounding the Bases?
To discuss sponsorship opportunities, please email my Executive Producer Ashleigh Sterr: ashleigh@joelgoldbergmedia.com.
Keeping the score
I’ve been a sports broadcaster for decades, and have watched hundreds of players step into pressure-packed situations. Bases loaded, full count, crowd roaring…even high-stakes World Series games with championships on the line. But I’ve also come to realize that many of those moments are actually defined before the play.
Pitchers take a breath before the windup and batters step out of the box to reset. The game never stops, but there’s power in those seconds of pause. Over the recent All Star Break, I was reminded just how necessary it really is to slow down. It was a mid-season reprieve that also happened to align perfectly with a recent podcast interview reframing growth not as a constant climb, but a process that requires pause as much as it does push.
Her name is Michelle Villalobos, a trailblazing expert in the art and science of transformational communities. She’s so much more than a speaker. She’s also Founder of the Superstar Activator and an international authority bringing mission-driven strategies to high-vibe individuals. Showing them how to add purpose to profits, from the big stage to the board room.
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