Joe Torre, Iconic Baseball Manager, Hits Home Run at GWU Lisner Auditorium

Great quotes about the team success from Joe Torre, the former baseball player and manager are universal to all team sports, basketball included. It made me think about my basketball experiences and my former teammates. 

Winning with GW in 1999

On Feb. 16, 2012 veteran baseball manager Joe Torre delighted a standing-room-only crowd at Lisner Auditorium Wednesday, dishing jokes and details of his longtime career on the diamond, most notably as manager of the New York Yankees.

“My secret was trying to have all the players understand what I was trying to do, even though they wouldn’t agree with it,” Mr. Torre said after receiving a standing ovation to his introduction. “And that took a little psychology, trust me.” Later, he added: “If you give respect you’re going to get it in return. I’ve always tried to be honest with players,” even if it wasn’t what they wanted to hear.

GW End-of-the-Season Banquet 1998

That job is made easier when everyone works together, Mr. Torre said. “It’s tough enough when you’re pulling in the same direction to get something done. But when you’re pulling in opposite directions, and pulling against somebody, you can’t do it. I’m a real believer in the whole team concept.”

“I just can’t believe that game statistics is the only thing that counts,” Mr. Torre said. “I always caution people that there’s a heartbeat there. There’s a pulse and a heartbeat, never forget that. What you see on paper may be misleading.”

In a question-and-answer session, Mr. Torre also fielded questions from audience members, like what advice he has for a Little League coach.

“Let them all play,” Mr. Torre said. “Let’s not be dramatic about how important winning is. If we make the game stressful at this age, they’re not going to want to play it anymore. So we have to just understand that whatever happens—whether they strike out or make an error—that’s fine, we’ll work on it, we’ll get better. It’s so important that we keep these kids interested in baseball. It’s a great game. Let’s not have them need to perform for our satisfaction.”

That's right, just let them all play and enjoy the experience!

Winning Embrace in Spartak-St.Petersburg 2009!

(material is taken from GWToday.gwu.edu)