The Other Side of the Show
I've been fortunate to see some incredible performances over the years, but I'm not sure there's a better voice in music than Chris Stapleton's. Susan and I saw him Wednesday night, and from the first song to the last, he was everything we hoped he would be.
Chris Stapleton at the Morton Amphitheater
As much as I love music, though, what stuck with me afterward wasn't just what happened onstage. It was a conversation I had before the concert with someone whose job gives him a very different perspective on the same experience.
I had the opportunity to meet Stapleton's tour manager, and as we were talking, he noticed me checking the Dodgers-Brewers playoff game on my phone. He's a Dodgers fan, so naturally we started talking baseball.
He told me his mom had asked whether he'd be watching the concert that night. His answer was pretty simple. He had to work.
When friends ask him how shows went, he usually tells them he doesn't know because he was back in an office taking care of everything that needed to happen behind the scenes. He's not disappointed about that, and he certainly wasn't complaining. It's his job, and it's a job he loves.
I understood exactly what he meant.
People often wonder what it's like for me to be at some of the biggest moments in Royals history, and while I've been fortunate to witness a lot over the years, being there for work is different from being there as a fan.
When Salvador Perez delivered his unforgettable walk-off hit against Oakland in the 2014 Wild Card Game, I was already in the press conference room preparing for what came next. When Alex Gordon hit his game-tying home run in Game 1 of the 2015 World Series, I was in the parking lot getting ready for our postgame coverage because FOX had the national television rights inside the stadium.
Those are two of the most memorable moments in Royals history, and I wouldn't trade my role in covering them for anything. But when you're working, your responsibility is to stay focused on what needs to happen next. You're not there to celebrate, and you can't afford to get caught up in the moment the way a fan can.
That's not a gripe. I love my job. It’s simply the difference between experiencing something for enjoyment and being responsible for helping deliver that experience to everyone else.
The more we talked, the more I appreciated something else about our conversation.
Here was a guy who spends his life around some of the best musicians in the world, and when he has a little time to himself, he wants to watch baseball. Meanwhile, I spend much of my year around some of the best baseball players in the world, and when I want to get away from work, I turn to music.
Whether I'm on a plane, riding a bus or driving somewhere, music has always been one of my favorite ways to unwind. I don't have to prepare for anything, anticipate the next question or think about what's coming after the final out. I can simply listen and enjoy it.
For him, sports can provide that same escape.
Neither of us was talking about wanting to get away from a job we don't enjoy. In fact, I think we're both pretty fortunate to do what we do. But even when you love your work, there's something valuable about having an interest that lets you put it aside for a while.
I went to the concert expecting to hear one of my favorite artists, and I certainly got that. What I didn't expect was to find so much common ground with someone working on the other side of the show.
His escape from music is sports. Mine from sports is music.
This week's Small Ball question: What do you turn to when you want to unplug?
EXTRA INNINGS
A little more from beyond the ballpark.
Come Cruise the Rhine With Us!
AmaWaterways’ Rhine River Cruise
In November 2027, Susan and I will be hosting a special Rhine River cruise, and we'd love for you to join us! We'll explore beautiful European cities, take in incredible scenery, enjoy great food and share experiences that go well beyond the typical vacation. For us, the best part of any trip is often the people we meet and the memories we make together, and we're looking forward to sharing this adventure with friends, both old and new.
Click here to learn more about the cruise and how to join us!
SOMETHING NEW IS TAKING SHAPE
I've been spending a lot of time exploring the connection between storytelling, trust and the small moments that bring people together. I'm working on something new that will bring those ideas to life in a different way, and I'll have more to share soon.
ONE LAST THOUGHT
“Maybe stories are just data with a soul.”
Brené Brown