“Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open”
In 1968, I left Minor League Baseball and took my first NBA job. As the business manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, I was in charge of promoting the team and packing people into the arena.
The Phoenix Suns had just entered the league as an expansion team, and their ownership group included a number of famous people, including Henry Mancini and Andy Williams. I read that Andy Williams was performing at a supper club across the river in New Jersey, so I typed up some advertising copy and lugged my portable tape recorder to the club. I managed to fast-talk my way into Andy Williams’s dressing room. After the show, he walked into his dressing room—and there I was, waiting for him.
I introduced myself and told him what I wanted him to do. I set up the tape recorder and handed the advertising copy to him. Once the tape was rolling, Andy Williams, in that wonderful “Moon River” voice, recorded a season ticket blurb plus a promo for the Suns-76ers game later in the season.
I had arrived without knowing if I would get within a hundred feet of Andy Williams, and I left with his voice captured on my tape recorder. He had been not only willing to help but also eager to help. His endorsement helped sell a lot of tickets and fill a lot of seats that season.
Later that fall, Martha and the Vandellas performed at that same supper club, and I was able to get Martha Reeves to record a voice-over that sounded fantastic with “Heat Wave” playing in the background.
What fun I had! I was all of twenty-eight years old, and I had my first big league job. I believed I could do anything, and I was absolutely fearless when I approached famous people for a favor.
I have nineteen children—four biological kids, fourteen by international adoption, and one by remarriage—and I have encouraged all of them to be bold, to speak up, to introduce themselves, and to ask questions. There have been times when my kids have said to me, “Hey, Dad, I saw Ken Griffey Jr. downtown today,” or, “I saw Monica Seles at the mall.” I would always say, “That’s great! What did you say? What did you ask? What advice did he or she give you?”
And almost always, my kids would reply, “I didn’t say anything. I didn’t want to intrude.”
They didn’t want to intrude! Haven’t they ever seen ol’ Dad in action? Whenever I encounter accomplished people, I speak up. I ask questions. I’m always eager to have some of that person’s wisdom, insight, and success rub off on me. If I have time to ask a question or two, I grab my pen and a paper napkin and I fire away: “What’s the most important word of advice you ever got? Who were your role models when you were growing up? What can I do to be successful?”
Over the years, I’ve crossed paths with many famous people, and I’ve always seized the opportunity. Sure, I’ve been rebuffed a few times, but so what? I’ve also accumulated a vast treasure trove of insights—and I’ve filled this book with those insights.
If you encounter an accomplished, successful person, don’t be shy. Don’t squander the opportunity. Speak up! Introduce yourself! Ask questions!
I got my first job in professional sports from Bob Carpenter, the owner of the Philadelphia Phillies. He gave me a word of advice before sending me to the Phillies farm club in Miami: “Keep your eyes and ears open—on and off the field.”
I’ve never forgotten that advice. I have always kept my eyes and ears open. I have tried to learn something new every day. I have especially tried to learn life lessons from winners in every walk of life. In these pages, you’ll find life lessons I have learned from my encounters with presidents, civil rights leaders, business leaders, sports executives, athletes, religious leaders, entertainers, and more.
I hope you enjoy this book—and maybe find an inspiring insight or two. I also hope you’ll write to me and share your thoughts with me. My eyes and ears are wide open, and I’m eager to learn from you!