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 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. Earlier this week at our “C” You In The Major Leagues Baseball Camp at the Urban Youth Academy, one of the coach
es used a great “C” example in Whit Merrifield.
Royals fans have come to know Whit Merrifield as “Two-Hit Whit.” Merrifield has been one of the most consistent hitters and can play almost anywhere on the field. He knows his role and what he has to do to put his team in position to win. He is still human, though, and recently showed that when he struck out four times in a game. Some players, after striking out four times, get in their own heads with negative thoughts that affect their play on defense. Whit isn’t like other players. Defensively, he made spectacular plays that helped avoid big innings and get his team back in the dugout to hit. He comprehended that it wasn’t his day at the dish, so he needed to focus on helping the team in other ways.
Baseball is a game of failure and opportunities. Whit is no stranger to both of those words. He spent seven years in the minors before being called to Kansas City. Throughout his career he has been faced with adversity and through all that he comprehended what he needed to do to help his team, and he’s done so without complaining (at least publicly.) All of the struggles and all of the success up to this point wasn’t going to be defined by this recent four-strikeout game. He comprehended what he had to do to help his team be successful. He is a warrior on the diamond, and occasionally warriors fail, but the failures don’t define warriors, but rather how they come back and react to those failures. In this particular situation Whit comprehended his failures at the plate and focused so intently on his defensive because he knew he could positively impact his team.
When facing adversity, whether in your professional or personal life, step back and look at the situation at hand from many angles. You may find out that taking a step back will benefit not only you, but also the people around you. You may COMPREHEND that the adversity doesn’t define you just like Whit has done his whole career.