Its a few days since the Mets season ended, and I still continue to think about the brand built, even if he would be struggling himself to call it that, that National league Home Run champ and soon to be Rookie of the Year Pete Alonso has created in such a short period of time. While the cynical New York fan waits for the gotcha moment and the fall from grace or the cataclysmic slump or career threatening injury down the line, Alonso’s year of engagement was one for the ages in an era when athlete brand is tantamount for everyone.
Maybe Alonso didn’t resonate as much with the casual fan nationally as a player like Aaron Judge did a few years ago, and maybe that’s because the Mets missed the playoffs despite an exciting second half, or maybe it’s because the Amazins’ brand is not of the global value of the Yankees, but if there is a player to watch and invest in for all the right reasons, putting money on Pete Alonso may be a pretty safe bet.
What did he do? Yes he hit mammoth home runs and did it with more of an everyman build than most of the chistled warriors of today. Yes he came almost from nowehere and led the Mets back from the depths. Yes he improved every day at his craft, and never seemed to back down.
Yes his cheerleading was always authentic and he became a student of the game with his carefully crafted…WRITTEN…notbooks.
Yes he became thoughtful beyond his years, especially using the limelight to lift others, like he did with the cleats he designed for his entire team on the 9/11 anniversary and the subsequent donation of his design to the 9/11 Museum.
Yes he treated every fan encounter as genuine and authentic, and had a great sense of being in the moment that he handles with grace, respect, and even…gasp…humility. In a time when athletes and celebrities drop F Bombs “just because” he even tempered his language for the audience, realizing the impact he could have on young people (even with LFGM become a cause celebre’, replete with T-shirts and hashtags).
Yes he embraced the social space carefully and smartly, rarely straying into the controversial.
All true.
However the most important element he brought to everyone he touched. Was JOY.
It’s the same in the business we are in, or probably I would hope, in any profession, or in any relationship. When you are in it for so long, you get lost in the weeds and forget how much fun things can be, or how much joy an industry like sports and entertainment can bring to others.
I wrote this once before a few years ago, but my old friend and longtime coach Brendan Suhr always said the same thing, and was surprised at how little some of the greatest professional athletes appeared to enjoy what they were doing. No matter how driven you are, you should be able to convey the good to others. I have never been known for being the most outwardly happy of people, but I am convinced that a smile and more importantly, positive passion and enthusiasm are invaluable, whether you are a third grade teacher or LeBron James. There is too much sadness in the world, if you love what you do convey that publicly.
Often times people may seek you out for career advice or some counsel which has nothing to do with the day to day duties of work. Some are young people starting out, others are in the midst of career change or are going through some unusual episodes, and sadly even more are people who have lost their way and are struggling to find a new fit. I certainly don’t have all or sometimes most of the answers, but I do know that as I have said before, a job does not define you, just like a University or a high school does not define a teacher or a student. You help define it, and that’s how you make your impact. Finding that little bit of joy in all is what makes this ride so special.
No one said it was going to be easy, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the ride right? Whether we are high school students or award winning artists, we only get one shot at this, so let’s not miss the opportunity. We are all in it together.
That’s what Pete Alonso brought to all that he touched. A great sense of where he is, and the awareness that maybe, just maybe, it could all vanish in a cynical and fate twisting cloud. He emoted feelings to the last day and emitted boundless Joy. It was conveyed in everything he did.
Hey am I always the happiest of people? Ha, that’s funny. However I do find joy in something, anything every day, and now that the weather is getting a little cooler (and we have some momentous family occasions coming) I’m hoping that joy is conveyed to others we pass along the road. It has certainly been conveyed back to me in some notes and emails I have received from folks who I tried to help, or just listen to for a few minutes. The pleasure to all…was mine. Being able to help, for me, even a little but, is very joyous.
I have no idea where Pete Alonso’s career will go, and I certainly hope he keeps maturing well beyond his years, but the ability to know ones place and make a little different in the lives of others isn’t always easy, and it isn’t always recognized, but his subtle and over actions are worthwhile and noteworthy in such a tumultuous business.
It was a joy to behold Pete, and it may not be able to convey for the long haul, but don’t stop trying. The impact he had in such a small window in the prism of time was remarkable, and it is something that will bring joy as stage two starts…the one where he goes from Phenom to icon, smiling all the way.
