Success: The Result of Goal Setting and Perseverance
By: Sam Gunn
Billy Beane Now Remembered as one of the most successful managers of all time, Beane wasn’t always seen this way. Starting his baseball career as a highly touted “5 tool” player, Beane was drafted by the New York Mets in 1980. His career didn’t pan out as planned, however, and he ended up spending most of his career in the minor leagues. One of the first player-turned-managers in baseball history, Beane took the job as General Manager of the Oakland Athletics in 1997 (Biography). He enjoyed initial success as GM of the Athletics, developing 3 future hall of famers in Jason Giambi, Johnny Damon, and Jason Isringhausen. Unfortunately for Beane, he would lose all 3 to free agency. This placed the team in an insurmountable hole. With the leagues lowest funding, and a lack of almost any talent on the roster, the 2002 Athletics were destined for failure. It wasn’t until beane researched Bill James’ book, The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, that he knew what to do with the team. In short, James theorized that baseball players should be ranked based on their OBP (on base percentage) rather than home runs, hits, or RBIs (runs batted in). This way of
evaluation players enabled Beane to assemble a successful team without having to pay tens of millions of dollars to do so. Thought as a mad man, scouts on the Athletics began to quit, and head coach Art Howe refused to play the team as it should be. Faced with this, Beane decided to leave Howe no option, trading away the players that Howe started. With his job riding on the Athletics season, Beane’s plan worked. The Athletics went on to break the American League record for most consecutive games won, winning 20 straight games and coasting to the American League West crown. After losing in the 2002 ALDS, Beane received a call from Red Sox owner John Henry. To Beane’s surprise, Henry was willing to pay 12.5 million dollars for him to be the new general manager. Beane declined. A true testament of achieving goals in the face of obstacles, Beane will forever be immortalized in baseball lore. Beane’s story would ultimately go on to be made the 2011 film, Moneyball, winning 19 academy awards. The 2002 Oakland Athletics changed the game of baseball as people knew it, turning an organization full of outcasts into one of the greatest teams of all time. Furthermore, Beane’s success inspires youth around the world, realizing nothing can stop someone dedicated to achieving their goals.
Lebron James Throughout his 15 year NBA career, Lebron James continuously faced both success and failure. Hailing from a crime-ridden neighborhood in Akron, Ohio, James was never given anything. This, coupled with incredible god-given talent, make James one of the greatest basketball players of all time. The young star started his journey towards excellence at Saint Vincent Saint Mary’s High School. There, he averaged 30.4 points per game in his senior season, leading the Irish to a state title, and foreshadowing things to later come in his career (Burns). Fortunately for Clevelanders, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected James with the 1st pick of the 2003 NBA Draft, and the local star would stay home. There, the talented prospect would enjoy incredibly success with the organization, leading the Cavaliers to the 2007 NBA Finals but ultimately losing to a much more talented San Antonio Spurs team. Ultimately, James’ will to win drove him to join the star-studded Miami Heat on July 8, 2010 (Nutbrown). Meanwhile, in Cleveland, the man once adorned by all suddenly became the man hated by all, and the Cavaliers became destined to fail. Feeling the resentment from fans all around the world, James took on the role as villain in proving everyone wrong, and in doing so received next to no recognition when he conquering the ever-so-elusive task of winning an NBA Championship. Knowing this criticism would never end, James decided to rejoin the Cavaliers in hopes of winning Cleveland’s first Championship
in over 52 years. Facing one of the greatest teams of all time, and a 3-1 deficit in the best-of-7 series, James pulled off the most remarkable feat in modern NBA history, leading the Cavaliers to the 2016 NBA Championship. In achieving this incredible feat, James not only cemented himself as one of the greatest players of all time, but also as one of the most resilient. This ability to overcome obstacles makes James one of the most successful sport figures in history. James’ success transcends just his play on the hardwood as well. An inspirational figure to youth, he realizes that his actions will impact the generations to follow. Because of this, James started a foundation that raises money for children to attend college at the University of Akron. Furthemore, James regularly takes stances on issues surrounding society today. Following the events of the Parkland shooting, Lebron said, “How is it possible that we can have minors buy a gun?” (D’Angelo). Many Parkland victims cited this quote when discussing their opinions on where gun control laws should stand. Overall, Lebron James inspires the younger generations all over the world to overcome obstacles and achieve goals they set for themselves.
Drew Gunn, a business man and father of three
works incredibly hard day in and day out to make sure his family thrives. When asked about the importance of setting goals, Drew responded, “Yes, setting goals is beneficial because I like to have a plan. I Like thinking about getting point a to point b. I feel a sense of accomplishment heading towards my plan whenever I complete things along the way that will ultimately meet the goal.” Gunn was later asked about some personal goals he sets aside for himself, and hopes to achieve in the future. He responded, “I tend to think about goals in different categories: I have goals for my family, goals for myself (relative to financial and physical goals) and I have spiritual goals. In thinking about those goals for myself and my family, I think about having enough money to retire comfortably. In terms of personal success, I want to physically be setting time aside to maintain a physical physique. I also think about wanting to make sure I'm nurturing my spiritual state carefully to promote a health mental state of minds. I definitely try to find a balance to keeping all the goals.” When talking about his definition of what success looks like, Gunn stated, “I would define it as living with purpose and fulfilling that purpose in a balance of physical, mental, and emotional good.” Furthermore, Gunn believes that success can be achieved by anyone, stating that “Everyone can be successful in one way or another.” When asked to reflect on his childhood, and high school career, Gunn stated, “ I grew up in Finneytown, Ohio, and attended Finneytown High School. For me, I took few things seriously in high school. I did my studies and focused on my friends and just kind of doing what my family wanted me to do. I wasn't accountable for anything other than growing up. I focused on growing up and having friends and having fun. As I grew older I focused more on having a job, and other things on life to help me achieve more. For these reasons my high school success did not translate into success in my career, however that doesn’t mean it won’t translate for everyone.” Gunn enjoys a fruitful career working for Willis Towers Watson, and hopes that his success in the workplace can lead to the success of his children in school, and eventually, their own professions.
Advice Column: College Athletes Dear Sam, I recently lost on the national championship in Basketball. How can I feel as though I have been successful, despite losing? Sincerely, Matt A: When you set and achieve goals for yourself in the face of adversity, you already achieve success. In sports, a lot of the time the team that doesn’t necessarily “win” feels as though they have not succeeded; take time to realize that you both as a player and a person would not be here today if it wasn’t for success. Dear Sam, I recently tore my ACL while practicing on the football team. How can I keep a positive outlook on the situation? Thanks, Dale A: No one has ever been truly successful without overcoming obstacles. Think of some of the all time greatest players in sports history: Lebron, Brady, Ali, etc. All had to overcome their own obstacles. Keep this in mind as you return back to the field. I wish you a speedy recovery! Dear Sam, I came to college to perform as a Division 1 baseball player, however, I am currently a Junior and still haven't received any playing time. How can I earn some more playing time so that I may feel more successful as a student-athlete? Thanks for your help, Jack A: You already are incredibly successful Jack, just being called a student-athlete should make you proud. As for earning playing time, try to focus on becoming the best player you can possibly be, and develop a closer bond to your coaches and teammates. When
you set this as your goal, you then see a chain reaction in which you feel more happy with who you have become. Good luck this season and stay on top of those grades!
High School Students Dear Sam, I am struggling to manage all of my extracurriculars on top of my perfect GPA. As Junior year approaches, what do you recommend I prioritize if I have to choose between the two? Thanks, Sienna A: Firstly, congratulations on completing you first two years of High School; that cannot be overlooked. Secondly, Sienna, this question truly depends on what you consider being more successful: going through high school striving for perfection, or learning to budget your time for things that interest you on top of school. In college, students must learn how to budget their time effectively and maintain balance. If what you seek is immediate success in high school, by all means put as much attention towards grades as possible. However, if you seek long term success in college and later life, try learning how to budget your time as early as possible. Dear Sam, my GPA is incredibly poor, how can I increase my chances for admission to college? Thanks, Ian A: While GPA may be one thing colleges look at, it isn’t everything. Great test scores can sometimes lead to admissions officers overlooking poor GPA’s. Good luck in your college search!
Movie Reviews Movie success remains to be judged on a multitude of factors, Tickets sold, critic reviews, audience feedback, and awards won: however, success in movies plots remain almost unavoidable. Whether Nonfiction or fiction, success can be found in any movie. Bennett Millers 2011 drama, Moneyball demonstrates the idea that success stems from goal setting, and persistence. This movie follows the historical run of the 2002 Oakland Athletics and their improbable turnaround from last to first. Filled with outcasts and misfits, the team looks doomed to be nothing more than an experiment that will result in the firing of Billy Beane (the Athletics General Manager). The movie details the ups and downs of Bean’s turbulent baseball career, picked in the first round, Beane never lived up to his hype and became one of the biggest draft busts of all time. After hanging up the cleats and deciding his time was done, Beane sought to become a General Manager. Beane maintained success in the organization initially, drafting future hall of famers Jason Giambi and Johnny Damon. However, before the 2002 season began, Giambi and Damon left the Athletics to join other organizations, and left the Athletics in a position where they could no longer compete. With the lowest budget in the MLB, Beane consults Peter Brandt, a “nobody” baseball statistician, to help turn around the franchise. Brandt tells Beane of the Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract, a 1985 piece by Bill James. The book suggested that baseball players be evaluated on their OBP, (On Base Percentage) or in other words, how often players get on base. This idea was deemed as ridiculous, as the richest players for years had been the ones who hit the most home runs, or threw the fastest pitches. However, Beane and Brandt saw the team as perfectly constructed, and fit to win it all. The team would go on to win 20 straight games, setting the American League record for most wins in a row and ended up finishing 103-59. Another incredible example of achieving goals in the face of adversity can be seen in the 2014 Drama, Interstellar. The film follows Cooper (a father of two) and his expedition to find a suitable replacement for the resource-deprived Earth. Before departing for a decades-long trip, Cooper promises his daughter that he will return. This goal is what drives Cooper throughout the movie, as the audience learns that there was never a way designed for Cooper to return. Instead, Cooper must enter a black hole, he returns to his daughter having created a new planet and saving the human race. After being retrieved by the newly formed planet’s air force base, Cooper finally reunited with his daughter. Both of these films encompass the idea that with enough persistence, any goal can be achieved regardless of the difficulty of the obstacles faced. This being said, Beane’s incredible success tops any fictional work because it provides a factual example of real hard work and perseverance.
Sam Gunn
Sam Gunn hails from the small town of Chagrin Falls, Ohio and currently attends Chagrin Falls High School as a junior. Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Gunn moved to the Chagrin Falls Exempted School District in June 2010. The transition wasn’t seamless, and few things remained the same in Chagrin as they did in Shaker. In fact, Gunn recalls Basketball as being one of the only things he remained passionate about after the move. Since the move, Gunn remains enamored about the game of Basketball, as he played on every basketball team up until 10th grade. Gunn cites his freshman year as being the most successful, and not because his team won the most games. At tryouts, Gunn was cut from the freshman basketball team, and was only offered a managerial position with the team. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Gunn worked hard the rest of the season to achieve his goal of making the team. Eventually, that hard work paid off. Gunn was offered a spot on the team and made good use of it, contributing as a role player on the team. Citing his hard work, persistence in the face of adversity, and dedication to his goal as his factors of success. Gunn maintains a somewhat successful high school career as well, posting a 3.7 GPA and a recent ACT score of a 28. Gunn’s dream remains to attend Clemson University. After visiting spring of Sophomore Year, Gunn fell in love with the school, and even flew down to watch the Tigers play Auburn University in Football last September. Gunn cites this goal as a huge motivator to achieve excellence in school. Furthermore, Gunn remains enamored by the compilation of all college statistics, spending much of his time gathering information on where his admission odds stand at various schools in case his Clemson dream does not pay off. Gunn plans to continue this research when he visits the University of South Carolina, Auburn University, the University of Alabama, the University of Georgia, and the Georgia Institute of Technology this spring. Gunn has plenty of experience with touring schools, visiting 10 schools before his Junior year even began. In terms of his work career, Gunn remains a busser at B Spot ( a local burger joint) after more than 9 months. Gunn has a successful career there, and cites his proudest moment as earning employee of the month his first month working any job. Furthermore, Gunn attributes this success to making employee of the month his goal, and working hard every day to achieve it. Few things motivate Gunn towards success like past failures however, and Gunn constantly tries to better himself in every way.
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D’Angelo, Tom. "LeBron James on Parkland Shooting: 'How Is It Possible That We Can Have Minors Buy a Gun?’” 20 Feb. 2018. "Billy Beane." Biography.com. A&E Networks Television, 02 Apr. 2014.
Murphy, Joe. Photograph of Lebron James blocking Andre Iguodala. Getty Images, Sports Illustrated, 19 Sept. 2017, https://www.si.com/nba/2017/09/19/open-floor-podcast-best-games-warriors-cavaliers-leb ron-james-block-game-7. The Lebron James Family Foundation Logo. The Lebron James Family Foundation, 12 October 2013, http://lebronjamesfamilyfoundation.org/. Cafardo, Nick. Billy Beane. Boston Globe, 8 Apr. 2017, https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2017/04/08/nick-cafardo-billy-beane-believes -baseball-oakland-can-thrive-again/cqGWVcudWpPxbD9oWnGuaI/story.html. Reimer, Alex. Bill James Red Sox Media. Bostinno, 28 Feb. 2014, https://www.americaninno.com/boston/bill-james-red-sox-value-intangibles-and-clubhous e-chemistry/.