Hanley Ramirez—Running Heartless…

Hanley Ramirez, a two-time all-star and last year's National League batting champion for the Florida Marlins revealed his lack of maturity and lack of character when he recently faced the Arizona Diamondbacks. After fouling a baseball off his shin earlier in the game, he told his coaching staff that he could play the game unabated. But Ramirez went on to give a dismal/lack-luster performance at best when he accidentally kicked a ball and then lightly jogged some 100 feet after it, allowing two runs to score in the process. His manager, seeking to send a message to the star player and the team as a whole, benched Ramirez for the remaining part of the game and for the entirety of the next game as well. Ramirez responded by verbally bashing his coach and teammates.

Too often, we as individuals, act and react like Ramirez. We know our ‘rights,’ but unfortunately we don’t always know our ‘wrongs.’ We often lack a ‘coachable spirit,’ too prideful to admit when we’re wrong. The Bible notes that we should actually value rebuke rather than hide from it, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (Proverbs 12:15). Furthermore, it provides the template for us if and when we are confronted, “…Be quick to listen…and slow to speak, and slow to be come angry” (James 1:19). A ‘coachable spirit’ is beneficial both on the field and in the game of life. Regardless if you’re justified or not in your actions, there is usually some grain of truth in people’s observations…and it should be considered accordingly. It is said that the least objective person—with respect to yourself—is yourself. Thus it is imperative to clearly see reality albeit at times painful. If you fail to surround yourself with individuals who will call you out, who will push you, you’re likely to get lost with the rest of the well-intentioned individuals, who though extremely talented and skilled in a craft, simply lack the character to become a positive contributor to society or leave a lasting legacy.

Challenges are commonplace; they are a part of life. For the few times that people succeed, there exists countless preceding moments of failure—it takes a balanced head to recognize that reality. You need the ability to be humble, and vulnerable. By being open to corrective criticism, and possessing a ‘coachable spirit,’ you become pliable and purposeful. This will then help you not only see how things currently are but will focus your vision ahead on how they could be. If you don’t have a pastor, a small group, a trusted friend, a spouse or coach to help hold you accountable and champion the potential within you, you’re likely to fail both on and off the field.

Editorial