Out of the Park: Authenticity
Talent matters. But after 32 years in television, I’m convinced that attitude and authenticity are equally as important.
Being real is something that has allowed me to build a long career in television, and is something I bring to the stage when I speak as well. I’ve always been more interested in genuinely connecting through a story than delivering a perfect report, and I think audiences can feel the authenticity. Friday night in Cleveland provided a fun example.
I was sitting just outside the Royals dugout during our game against the Guardians, talking about utility player Josh Rojas and the veteran presence he provides. A few feet away, Royals captain Salvador Perez was staring directly at me and nodding along as I spoke.
Nobody watching at home could see what Salvy was doing, but I knew exactly what was going on. He seemed to agree with what I was saying, but he was also amusing himself and maybe seeing if he could break my concentration while I tried to keep going.
In the middle of all of this, a Cleveland throwing error allowed a Royals runner to advance to second. As viewers watched the play unfold, I momentarily shifted from Rojas to describe the error, while Salvy could be heard off camera, over my voice, yelling, “Go! Go! Go!” and cheering on his teammate.
As the segment wrapped, I brought everyone watching into the scene that had been unfolding around me. I mentioned that this must be pretty good because Salvy was locking eyes with me and nodding his approval with everything I was saying. “Am I right, Salvy?”
Salvy immediately gave me a so-so look as if to say, “It was Ok. Not great, not terrible.” Then he burst out laughing, just in time for our cameras to catch his reaction. He had spent the entire time showing his approval, but when I asked him about it, he had to give me a little grief. That’s Salvy to a T.
None of it was planned, which is exactly why it worked. Fans got a glimpse of the Salvy I’ve known since he arrived in the big leagues: Cheering for his teammates, having fun, and being himself.
Preparation matters, but sometimes authenticity means trusting yourself enough to ditch the script and tell the story happening right next to you. It’s true inside and Out of the Park.
Local flavor
Kemet Coleman is Kansas City through and through. A musician, entrepreneur and two-time guest on Rounding the Bases, I’ve known Kemet since before Vine Street Brewing Company was a reality.
In 2021, he joined me on the podcast to talk about the vision that became Vine Street , Missouri’s first Black-owned brewery. It opened in 2022 in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, not far from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, where I’m proud to serve on the board.
What they’ve created is an inclusive community built around great beer, music, and culture. It’s a brewery that puts the personality and history of the neighborhood at the center of the experience, and now, I’m honored to become a small part of their story.
On September 5, Vine Street is releasing Silver Fox, a West Coast pilsner brewed with me, and I’ll be there at noon to celebrate.
Their tagline says it perfectly: “Taste the Culture at Vine Street.” I hope you’ll join us to enjoy a Silver Fox and experience a small business that is authentically Kansas City.
Dugout dialogue
I first met Eric Hosmer when he was 18 years old, not long after the Royals selected him in the first round of the 2008 draft. I watched him grow into a star and a leader of a World Series championship team, and now I get to call Hoz a broadcast teammate.
His roles have changed, but his authenticity hasn’t. Hoz treats everyone on our crew as if they’re the most important person in the room. It’s the same way I watched him treat people throughout his playing career.
Recently, Hoz took fans somewhere they never get to see: behind the scenes to the batting cage for an up-close look at Trajekt. This high-level pitching machine can recreate the movement, angles, and repertoire of the opposing pitcher a hitter is about to face. It’s incredible technology, and getting his perspective made the access even better.
Take a look.
How does authenticity show up and add value in the corporate workplace? Check out this month’s sit down with Chief of Staff KC’s Casey Wright to find out.
speaking engagements
It was a thrill to appear on KCTV5 for National Professional Speakers Day, where I got to talk about the second career that has become such an important part of my life. Whether I’m on camera, on stage, or far away from the spotlight, my goal is always to show up authentically and connect with people in a meaningful way.
Later in August, I shared my Winning Trust keynote with the leadership team at Henderson Engineers during their executive retreat. I’ll close the month today at the Midland Theater, speaking to nearly 600 people from around the world for the Kansas City Area Development Council’s Animal Health Summit.
Two very different audiences and settings, one universal message about winning trust.
With baseball season winding down, I’m booking keynotes through the offseason. If your team is looking to strengthen trust and communication, it’s time we connect. I offer complimentary, 15-minute virtual strategy sessions to explore how those conversations add value in your organization.
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
What happens when one of the greatest scorers in women’s basketball realizes her identity is bigger than the game? We found out earlier this month I was joined on Rounding the Bases by one of the most accomplished players in the history of women’s hoops.
Jackie Stiles is the retired WNBA standout known for raining buckets during her years with the Portland Fire. As a Missouri State Lady Bear, the prolific shooting guard rewrote the record books, claiming the NCAA DI record for points scored…a title she held for nearly 20 years. These days, Jackie’s athletic prowess lives on as a speaker and the Owner of NextGen Fitness, where she dedicates the same enthusiasm to training others as she did to perfecting her own game.
It’s a conversation that goes way beyond basketball, and why the thing your known for should never become the thing that defines you. Be sure to listen now.
Finally, thank you again to each of the guests that joined me in August:
Our schedule is already booked through 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 spent most of my professional career with a microphone in my hand.
On TV as a broadcaster for the Kansas City Royals, my job is to shine the light on the players, coaches, and people behind the game. On my podcast Rounding the Bases and as a keynote speaker, I do the same for business leaders and change makers.
Trust, leadership, and connection are the themes I talk about most, and each of them comes back to a single word that’s easy to market but difficult to live: Authenticity.
Recently, that word took on a deeper meaning for me in a conversation with Steve Garraty, a Vice President of Sales at Salesforce and the author of Greatfruit: How Cancer Led to Living a More Fruitful Life.
At 18 years old, Steve survived stage three Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The tumor removed from his neck was the size of a grapefruit. Decades later, that same grapefruit became the centerpiece of a story about resilience and perspective.
It didn’t take long to realize it was also a masterclass in authenticity.
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