Pep Talk: "Nobody Wins"

Sam Cook long ago, 1963 to be exact, sang about “It’s another Saturday night....” but for this simple dude from Missouri, it’s actually a Friday night. But I ain’t got nobody. Darling girlfriend has fled to the mountains with the Aloha Pussycats. I do have some money ‘cuz I just got paid.

I’m sitting, somewhat anxiously, at kitchen counter waiting for high-school sophomore daughter and her same-class boyfriend’s return from dinner in the neighborhood. I’m reading the paper. A few more minutes and they’ll be officially tardy. Our evening game plan consists of relaxing at the house before dropping them downtown at Pepsi Center for the Nuggets/Jazz game that starts late. It’s the second game of ESPN’s Friday-night doubleheader and doesn’t usually tip off until about 8:45pm.

My heart warms, I hear voices and footsteps. Precious princess and suitor appear. Safely in harbor, ahead of schedule! Dude’s wearing an Alex English #2 Nuggets jersey. He’s asked, “Where did English play his college ball?” He admits to not having a clue. Give the young man credit, the straight-A student did know the greatness the former University of South Carolina standout displayed during his Hall of Fame career.

Their arrival ended reading a good piece from The Denver Post’s John Wenzel. He was interviewing Aisha Tyler, an emerging multi-media star who was showing off her comedic skills over the weekend in the Mile High City. The California native is also one of the hosts of The Talk, a CBS daytime television show featuring five ladies conversing about life. Insert your own joke here. Tyler’s the new kid on the block and has meshed well with existing team members in creating a program quite popular right now. For the record, I have not seen it.

Blending well with others ain’t always an easy task. The old team is changing because of you. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. The 42-year-old Dartmouth College graduate has been accepted. The show is thriving. When asked what is the key to five women voicing opinions but respecting differences and creating the fastest-growing show on television, Tyler offered: “We don’t always agree but we don’t beat each other up when we disagree.”

Amen to that. Her thoughts bore deep into cranium. She’s right about the value of, despite differences, “not beating each other up.” Dang, life’s tough enough ain’t it? We have kids to nurture, jobs to complete, physical, emotional and financial challenges to face. It can get messy. Tyler’s correct about not beating each other up. Simple to suggest, not so easy to execute, right? Do it anyway.

Walt Weiss’ hiring as the Colorado Rockies’ sixth manager in franchise history had been the major topic of discussion earlier in the day on Mile High Sports Radio. Along with co-host Eric Goodman, producer Josh Pennock and those listening and contributing to The Odd Couple: Afternoon Drive with Mac and Goodman, much time was spent on this interesting move. The 48-year-old was a standout player for Colorado, stayed involved with the organization in a variety of coaching/scouting/leadership roles since retiring and described himself, accurately I believe during our radio interview, as “scrappy.”

Weiss, throughout his 14-year-major league career usually played for winning teams and Hall of Fame managers like Tony LaRussa and Bobby Cox. Weiss knows the wisdom of remaining unified and avoiding battles within - home, work and elsewhere. Just my opinion, but it seems damn tough to succeed anywhere in life - television show, baseball team, family, workplace - wherever - where we’re “beating each other up.”

Again, doesn’t mean we’re not gonna disagree but we gotta try like heck to respect each other. When, on the occasion, we get crossways with another, seek immediate restitution. Don’t let whatever ails, linger. Nobody wins.

Have a great week!