Author Steve Yerrid tries to answer the question as to what separates the best from second best in the world of sports in his book, The Making of a Championship Heart. Many of us have had difficulty in achieving first place status for a number of reasons. To answer this question, the author provides multiple criteria describing personality traits and actions congruent with attaining first place. Examples are as follows:
o Preparation
o Desire
o Leadership
o Attitude
o Determination
o Confidence
o Effort
o Challenge
o Courage
o Perseverance
o Vision
o Integrity et al.
The New York Yankees and its late boss, George Steinbrenner, are the focal points of illustration throughout the book. The force of Steinbrenner's personality was a defining attribute in moving the New York Yankees toward success, and the author describes a poignant moment where he was in a meeting with the boss.
"We were seated at a large oval conference room table with probably twenty-five or thirty chairs surrounding it. Of course, George sat at the head and I learned quickly that when he was present, there was never any doubt as to who was in charge."
In the book, there are full color action pictures of Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Joe Girardi and many others in the Yankees organization. Quotations of famous personages are contained throughout the text. Examples are:
"Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it."
(Lou Holtz)
"You gotta have fun. Regardless of how you look at it, we're playing a game. It's a business, it's our job, but I don't think you can do well unless you're having fun."
(Derek Jeter)
"There is always some kid who may be seeing me for the first or last time, I owe him my best." (Joe DiMaggio)
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