Blog

CONFIDENCE: Leo and the Bird

Our “C” word this month is CONFIDENCE. That word can mean so many things, but it boils down to this in the CYITML definition: Accepts constructive criticism; will try something new; positive attitude; views self as a winner. One person who stands out from Royals’ history who exuded CONFIDENCE on the mound is Dennis Leonard. In a career that included 144 wins, a franchise-best 103 complete games and 23 shutouts (both likely will remain at … Read more

COMPREHENSION: Whit Merrifield

Life hits us with curveballs with situations that we may have never encountered before. That’s especially true at work, sometimes on a day-to-day basis. Situations that test who we are. Situations that test our reactions. One particular Royal was tested in a way he probably hadn’t experienced for a few years. This month’s “C” word is COMPREHENSION, which, in the “C” You In The Major Leagues vernacular includes someone who applies instruction, has a strong … Read more

COMPREHENSION: Mike Jirschele

In a world where understanding can be one of the most difficult things to grasp, a certain Royal understood the game of baseball so intently that many of us wouldn’t have even thought to recognize. The particular Royal isn’t your common household name, but has had a huge impact on the Royals’ success: Mike Jirschele. This month’s “C” word is COMPREHENSION, which, in the “C” You In The Major Leagues vernacular includes someone who applies … Read more

COMPREHENSION: Monty & Mac

This month’s “C” word is COMPREHENSION, which, in the “C” You In The Major Leagues vernacular includes someone who applies instruction, has a strong aptitude, makes adjustments at appropriate times, and has the ability to adjust quickly. When thinking about that definition in regards to baseball, many players and instances come to mind. There are in-game moments, when a batter hits to the opposite field and beats the shift, for instance. Then there are those … Read more

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Max Utsler

Name: Max Utsler Occupation: Associate Professor, University of Kansas, School of Journalism and Mass Communication   You’re the curriculum committee chairman for our ACES Leadership Program. ACES, which stands for Achieving Character Enrichment for Success, is a mentoring program for 12-15 high school students that we’re launching in August. But you’ve been hearing about the foundation for the last year or so. What made you want to get involved, and to do so in such … Read more

Bauer’s ultimate sacrifice

This month’s focus has been on our “C” word CONCENTRATION. We’re taking a break this week, though, as today marks the beginning of Memorial Day weekend. So, we’re going to reprint an article by our Matt Fulks about someone who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country, helping to give us the ability to enjoy our freedom and recreational outlets such as baseball. According to the website, BaseballInWartime.com, there have been only 12 major-league players … Read more

CONCENTRATION: Mark Gubicza

This month’s “C” word is CONCENTRATION. In “C” You In The Major Leagues’ vernacular, CONCENTRATION is a person who has the ability to focus; hones instincts; prepares with a purpose. Any player who’s been successful in the major leagues could check off CONCENTRATION as a character trait. That’s especially true for pitchers. In Royals’ history, one who sticks out as much as any other is Mark Gubicza. A full version of this story about Gubicza … Read more

CONCENTRATION: Ken Dugan and the ’71 Bisons

This month’s “C” word is CONCENTRATION. In “C” You In The Major Leagues’ definition, CONCENTRATION is a person who has the ability to focus; hones instincts; prepares with a purpose. What happens when an entire team shares that CONCENTRATION? It doesn’t happen often, but this is a chance for me to brag a little on my alma mater, Lipscomb University, and one of my heroes, long-time baseball coach Ken Dugan, who died in 2000. About … Read more

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Bill Regan

    Name: Bill Regan Occupation: Director of Development, Coldwater of Lee’s Summit You’ve been a “C” You In The Major Leagues supporter since 2016, largely as a volunteer and a sounding board. What made you want to get involved? Bill Regan: It is time to get off the bench and get in the game…CYITML is for the young men and boys in our communities who are growing up in “fatherless environments”…without the guiding love … Read more

CHARACTER: Rick Monday and the Flag

This month’s “C” word has been CHARACTER. You could say it’s the “C” flagship of what we do as a foundation, and how we all want to act. In the CYITML lexicon, traits of CHARACTER: Applies moral principles; Learns from mistakes; Accepts responsibility; and Respects individuals. There aren’t many instances in Major League Baseball history that speak to CHARACTER better than what happened 42 years ago this week, on April 25, 1976. That’s the day … Read more

CHARACTER: Dayton Moore on what it means

This month’s “C” word has been CHARACTER. In the CYITML lexicon, traits of CHARACTER: Applies moral principles; Learns from mistakes; Accepts responsibility; and Respects individuals. Periodically throughout the year, we’ll get more in-depth with CYITML Founder and Executive Director Dayton Moore about that month’s word. Since CHARACTER is such a big part of how we approach our work with the foundation, and the way each of us should approach life, it seems to be a … Read more

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Dr. Elbie Loeb

  Name: Dr. Elbie Loeb Occupation: Retired Physician   You’ve been a “C” You In The Major Leagues supporter since 2015, when the foundation was still relatively young. What made you want to get involved? Dr. Elbie Loeb: I previously volunteered for Operation Breakthrough, working with inner city preschool children — I think that this organization is a continuation in helping to lift the children from poverty. I know it helps their self-esteem in building … Read more

CARE: Les Hunter

This has been a funny month, as we’ve focused on our “C” word of CARE, which, in the “C” You In The Major Leagues’ dictionary includes: puts others first; evaluates everyone honestly; understands everyone’s impact. Earlier this month, because of his former team reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time ever, we featured ex-Lipscomb coach, Don Meyer. This week, because of the unlikely run of his alma mater, we’re featuring a previously published article … Read more

CARE: John Wooden

A lot can be said about timing. This week’s post, because of the NCAA Tournament and the fact that CARE is this month’s “C” word, has been scheduled to focus on John Wooden and the following sections from previously published story. Last week’s post, which wasn’t planned until Lipscomb University earned its first trip to the NCAA Tournament, featured legendary college basketball coach, Don Meyer. When I was working on my first book, which included … Read more

CARE: Don Meyer

This month’s “C” word is CARE. In the “C” You In The Major Leagues definition, CARE includes: puts others first; evaluates everyone honestly; understands everyone’s impact. Obviously it applies on and off the field or court – player, coach, boss, mother, father, it doesn’t matter. Early this year, when we planned the 2018 “C” words for each month, we didn’t really imagine Lipscomb University would be making its first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament, after … Read more

SUPPORTER SPOTLIGHT: Mike Trigg

Name: Mike Trigg Occupation: Investment Management Mike, your introduction to “C” You In The Major Leagues was similar to a lot of people. Yet different. You invited Dayton to speak to your company, WCM Investment Management, which is how many people first hear about the foundation. But you’re not based here in Kansas City; you’re in California. What made you want to bring Dayton to Laguna Beach to speak with your group, which, coincidentally, was … Read more

CARE: Jim Dickey

It’s funny how life works sometimes. This month’s “C” word is CARE. In the “C” You In The Major Leagues definition, CARE includes: puts others first; evaluates everyone honestly; understands everyone’s impact. Although I have a few people in mind who embody CARE on and off the field, I wasn’t completely sure who’d be featured this week. But then I came across an article that life-long Kansas Citian and longtime sports anchor, Dave Stewart, wrote … Read more

COACH: Herb Brooks (via Ken Morrow) Part 2

There aren’t many sporting events that have stuck with Americans as a whole as much as the U.S. Olympic hockey team’s win over the Soviet Union in 1980, and then subsequent gold medal win over Finland two days later. This month’s CYITML “C” word has COACH, which is someone who understands the game; is an independent thinker; a good self-evaluator; and offers enthusiasm. That can apply to our daily lives at home or at work, … Read more