Planning for the best

Being in the right place at the right time

I enjoyed reading this story in the Los Angeles Times about the San Francisco Giants 2010 journey to the World Series.  It is a great example of how we should all live our lives & face the hard realities it throws at us.  In a nutshell the story talks about how the Giants acquired all these different players, did PR campaigns when they were signed touting how they were the solution the team needed to become winners and move them toward a pennant and the Series.  Well, as life and circumstance would have it most of the “saviors” were sidelined for one reason or another and the guys who brought the team the pennant we’re not supposed to be there in that role:

The roster reconstruction has not gone entirely according to plan, but the Giants have shrugged off their mistakes and plowed ahead.

The ownership spent $126 million on Barry Zito and introduced him as the face of the Giants for the post-Bonds era. Zito did not make the playoff rotation.

The Giants spent $60 million on center fielder Aaron Rowand and introduced him as a big bat. He was beaten out this season by Andres Torres, signed as a minor league free agent.

“It’s a minefield — with us or any other organization,” Sabean said. “You really can’t be all that upset. There’s so much to live up to with a new contract, or the signing of a contract.

The Giants kept plugging holes, if only because they kept creating them. Of the eight position players to start behind Tim Lincecum on opening day, no more than four will be in the lineup behind him in Game 1 of the Series.

They needed a first baseman last winter, but they were spurned by Nick Johnson and Adam LaRoche. They signed their third choice, Aubrey Huff, who had no other offers, and he emerged as the No. 3 batter in the lineup.

They needed a left fielder, so they signed Mark DeRosa. He got injured, so they signed Pat Burrell to a minor league contract in May, and he emerged as the No. 5 hitter in the lineup.

They needed a right fielder, so they traded for Jose Guillen in August. They did not appear to need another outfielder a week later, but by claiming Cody Ross on waivers, they could keep him away from the San Diego Padres. Guillen got injured, and Ross emerged as the most valuable player of the National League Championship Series.

“We’ve been in the right place at the right time, where you’re able to turn things around,” Sabean said. “You can do that when your pitching is that strong. You can do things that are, quote, gambles, or maybe not your first choice.”

There’s something to be said about being in the right place at the right time.  What a great parable on life.  Planning, taking action, adjusting, adjusting, adjusting and things work out.

Wishing you a life of fullness of experiences and riches beyond your imagination!

Indeed,

Larry

You can read the full story by Bill Shaikin here ~ These are not the Giants of Willie Mays and Barry Bonds