Geoff Livingston's Blog

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Archive for the ‘Sports’ Category

Dream Teams: Some Want Stardom, I Enjoy Winning

Posted on: August 17th, 2010 by Geoff Livingston 6 Comments

Yes, you got it, a new post about individuals seeking the limelight versus teams on the social web. But before I begin, please look at this refreshed blog design thanks to Karen Kitchens and the rest of the team at RAD Campaign. I’ve successfully referred RAD on several occasions and they have redesigned my partner Beth Kanter’s blog, and now I have experienced what so many others have already enjoyed! The evolution embraces some of the old pre-CRT/tanaka red of the Buzz Bin while evolving the three column design in the previous version with some layout and navigation changes.

It’s important to acknowledge RAD in this instance and generally those who help us succeed in social media. While a voice may shine alone on the social web, rarely do they do so without the help of others. We live in a time where micro-celebrity and fame are valued even above good works, and it creates all sorts of interesting phenomena, including personal branding, parasocial behavior and a general destruction of team values. But ironically, to be a true success you still need the team.

Many use the rock star analogy when discussing individual efforts in social. Some times you even have super groups like Altimeter, crayon and now Powered. I’ve heard this applied to Zoetica, and even teasingly used by us (no one wants to be McCartney).

The metaphor that most suits me for this online cultural development is NBA basketball. It’s a very individualistic sport where great stars like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan are made, but even the greatest stars fail to win championships when teams are built around them. Even Kobe and Michael had some really poor teams that let them shine even more when they were at their most dominating selves. Yet they needed the Charles Oakleys, Scottie Pippens, Lamar Odoms and Pau Gasols to win.

Online, in my own life I’ve experienced some great personal successes as well as some fantastic team wins. And while both have an element of satisfaction, the big wins shared across teams of people working seemlessly towards a common goal — those are the moments I cherish and relish the most. For me, those wins are harder fought, require more discipline and sacrifice, and create greater positive impact.

I won’t lie and say I don’t enjoy being acknowledged or doing great things. It would be hard for me not to go out and compete every day. Yet, in the end individual accolades never deliver the satisfaction of a great team win.

Dream Teams

When I work with like-minded individuals — like Beth and Kami Huyse in Zoetica — the experience is great. Even when we don’t win — and it’s hard to really, really deliver the big home runs every time — the common purpose makes it exciting. When I’m on teams with people who fight over personal recognition and monetary rewards, I often find it to be a grind. These teams rarely succeed as most players don’t leave it all on the floor, so to speak.

This past weekend, the Dream Team (1992 U.S. Olympic Team) was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, a team of the greatest ball players ever assembled wearing one jersey. It was a great moment when several of players got together for an NBA Entertainment interview. Here are some of the sound bites that really resonated with me:

Larry Bird: “It wasn’t about scoring because we could’ve just got it into Charles [Barkley], who at that time was the most dominant player in the world offensively. But it wasn’t about that. It was about playing the game correctly.”

David Robinson: “We’ve all been on all-star teams and it [coming together] doesn’t always happen. But this was basketball heaven. What surprised me, from the beginning, was how unselfish everybody was.”

Karl Malone: “The way we checked our egos from the beginning. That’s what I remember the most.”

Charles Barkley: “Dream Team II [1996] was a nightmare. We had guys bitching about playing time, arguing with Coach Wilkens. I said to Scottie and Karl, ‘Man, I played with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan and we didn’t have a problem, so what the hell is wrong with these guys?’”

A lot of people worship Lebron James and decried him for his very self-centered announcement to go to Miami. But in the end, he yielded the opportunity to star alone to team with others like Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. He will likely do less individually, and more to win a championship. Perhaps he sees the value in being more of a role player, a Robert Horry with eight championship rings, than King James.

What do you value most in your online professional career? Individual accolades or great team successes?

Popularity: 1% [?]

Fathers & Sons – Diamond Love

Posted on: October 20th, 2009 by Geoff Livingston 3 Comments

One of my favorite books of all time remains Turgenev’s incredibly haunting Fathers & Sons. The book, “concerns the inevitable conflict between generations and between the values of traditionalists and intellectuals.” The crazy stories of generational conflict and care between men, unconquerable romantic love, and the constant strife between nihilism and traditional values reminds me of my 20s. My Dad and I had some tough times. Ironically, the only thing that kept our tenuous relationship in place was a third kind of love, the love of the baseball diamond.

With the Phillies going deep into the playoffs this year, it’s been a joy talking baseball on the phone with him. A native Philadelphian, I grew up watching the Phillies of the 80s right behind first base where Pete Rose held court, in large part because my Dad always took me to the games. They won their first World Series back then, ending a 97 year franchise drubbing.

He even took me to a World Series game in 1983. It was Game 4 when the Orioles beat the Phillies Ace Richard Denny in a relatively tight game that pretty much sealed the series for Ripken and company.

Later in the 90s when I was living a questionable life, the Phillies sucked (sans the ‘93 World Series campaign). My Dad and I could barely talk, but when we did it was always awkward until the conversation turned to baseball. The words would come easier, and our admiration for the sport kept the calls coming.

As the 90s waned and I began to change, we had our amends. Watching me go through that period was tough for him. He tells me now that he couldn’t really talk to or help me, and he often didn’t want to know what I was doing…It was too painful.

But baseball was the bridge during that present, and to the future of now. Thank God, we had a common bond; one that he, too, shared with his father through his twenties in the late 60s and early 70s. My Dad was even an usher at Dodgers stadium in the 60s! I was raised on Sandy Koufax stories!

Male love — particularly the father and son relationship — is often a quiet, unspoken one. Stoic in nature, I know my pop had a hard time demonstrating love through words or hugs, yet his care for me was undying. His actions over the past 37 years have demonstrated that.

Today, baseball is still a strong undercurrent in our relationship. For his 60th birthday, my sister and I sent him to Fenway Park for his first trip to that grand daddy of a stadium. I also took him to his first game at Yankee Stadium. That’s why last year’s surprise World Series win was extra special, and if the Phillies get back to the series for a repeat attempt, I am going to try and get my Dad to one of the games. My way of saying thanks.

And for me, like the generations before me, baseball is still religion. I go to at least seven games a year, and have been to roughly 75% of the League’s stadiums (I’ll get to the parks in Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Phoenix, St.Louis, and Tampa Bay before I leave this world). Here are pictures from this year’s games. Heck, even the last time I saw my Mom in Phoenix, we went to a spring training game.

It’s not just baseball for me, or for the Livingstons in general. It’s more than that, and thus, the diamond will always have a special place in my heart. Go Phillies!

Popularity: 36% [?]

Louisville Slugger Museum Rawks

Posted on: June 29th, 2009 by Geoff Livingston No Comments

When you are a baseball geek like me, taking a trip to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory is a true treat. Consider that I’ve visited 21 MLB stadiums, Cooperstown (three times), and three minor league parks. So my recent trip to Louisville had to include a visit to the museum. Friend Jason Falls set me up for a tour with his client, the Museum (thanks, Jason!).

I thoroughly enjoyed the factory tour, which showed how major league bats are chosen and made. The bats are made by high tech lasers with pinpoint details chosen by Major Leaguers. The factory churns out thousands of bats everyday, a necessary production load given that players will churn through 100-120 bats in any given season.

Of course, sustainable forests are used to harvest the lumber, and there’s a mandatory grading system for which bats make it to the major leagues (very few, my friends). What was really cool was seeing how the bats were made. Plus all of the different stains and paints you can add, well rocked. I couldn’t help it, and purchased my own personal bat (below), as well as a two tone cherry/maroon special for my Dad’s father’s day gift…

To me, baseball has always been about the kids. Combined with the museum tour, you can’t go wrong at the Louisville Slugger Factory. I highly recommend it for anyone touring the Kentucky region… Or for any baseball fan looking for a unique view of the game.

I am amassing a large photo album on Flickr of all of my 2009 baseball experiences, which so far include the museum visit and trips to the New Yankee, AT&T, and Nationals stadiums. Check it out. Photos from the new citi Field will go up later this week.

Popularity: 36% [?]

Open Letter to Bud Selig

Posted on: February 14th, 2009 by Geoff Livingston No Comments

Dear Mr. Selig:

Steroids have been the bane of your sport (Arod image by William Holtkamp). It just happens to be my favorite sport, and that’s why I am writing this letter to you. So I hope baseball is monitoring online and that you read this.

I used to be a season ticket holder, and still go to 5-15 games a season. I’ve visited 19 ballparks throughout the league. I am your prototypical dream fan, and I need you to do something for me.

I know you’ve restrained tongue and pen, and waited for due process. You’ve tried to play as fair as possible with the union, and honor the fact that steroids and drug testing were not officially banned for a time period.

But now you need to change that. It’s time to invoke some action in the best interest of the game. Yes, I know you have to wait for due process with Bond, but A-Rod’s admission that he has done steroids is the last straw. It’s time to revoke records and awards.

Three MVPs Ken Caminiti, Jason Giambi, and now A-Rod have admitted use. Their MVP titles should be stripped (even post-humously) and given to the runner up that year. If Bonds is found guilty, all of his steroids MVP awards and records from ’98 forward should be taken away. If Clemens is found guilty, he, too, should have any awards given to him during this era taken away from him. Let an asterix be affixed to any known steroids user’s records.

The game’s honor has been sullied. Restore it.

Sincerely,

Geoff Livingston

Popularity: 39% [?]

1980 Phillies World Series

Posted on: November 6th, 2008 by Geoff Livingston No Comments

In my last post, I discussed the headline my Dad wrote. Here it is. I am still so proud of him for this, and the one when Elvis died (The King Is Dead).

Popularity: 37% [?]

Crazy Eights (80 & 08): Phils Win!

Posted on: October 29th, 2008 by Geoff Livingston No Comments

The team of my youth won their second world series title in 125 years of existence and the second in my lifetime. The Phillies have won the world series!

Congratulations to all of my friends and family in Philadelphia! They were literally screaming with joy when I called them last night. Even though I root for the Nats now, I could not help but fall into my old ways and root passionately for my team of yore these past weeks.

This win reminded me of 1980 when the Phillies won it. And in ’83 when I went to game four of the losing series against the Orioles, and saw my team crushed. Of 82 when at the Vet I saw Ozzie Virgil hit a homer and power the Phils to a tied up the playoff series against the Expos, then lose game 5 in Montreal. Yes, those Phillies of Rose, Schmidt, Boone, Carlton, McGraw, McBride, Maddox, Bowa, Trillo, and role players like Perez, Morgan, Denny, McCarver and Matthews.

My dad was managing editor of the Philadelphia Daily News back then and I was privy to many games at first base side. He literally helped choose the We Win headline in 1980 in the wee hours of the morning! How fortunate I was back then.

Then when I was in college the Phillies where terrible, but their red neck, mullett wearing team of ’93 — John Kruk, Dykstra, Daulton and Schilling — powered their way miraculously to the 93 series. Then Mitch WIlliams committed atrocity and blew it all for them.

Ahh, the memories. Thank you Charlie Manuel, Howard, Hamels, Moyer, Lidge, Rollins, Utley and co for giving my hometown this precious gift.

Popularity: 29% [?]

Open Letter to Stan Kasten: Fire Bowden

Posted on: July 13th, 2008 by Geoff Livingston 1 Comment

Dear Stan:

You might think this has to do with the recent potential scandal involving special payments to Dominican players. Certainly an embarrassment that if substantiated could be uncomfortable for the franchise (kind of like this DUI). But really, this is about the Nationals continued poor performance.

Yes, the guy that’s responsible for getting players for the worst team in Major League Baseball — your Washington Nationals — should be fired. Please fire Nationals General Manager Jim Bowden, Stan (image by Nats Insider Miss Chatter).

There is only so long you can blame injuries or budgets. The truth of the matter is that for the past five years we fans have suffered under the lousy guidance of Bowden. The Nationals continuing poor performance lies squarely on Bowden’s shoulders. Not Frank Robinson or Manny Acta’s.

As a former season ticket, holder I voted with my feet this season and didn’t re-up. That’s in spite of the new stadium. And I don’t plan on changing that stance until you make significant changes to improve this team, including getting rid of the fool who keeps making bad moves like the Austin Kearns trade. Wheeling and dealing may be exciting in the short term, but the results stink.

Sincerely,

Geoff Livingston
CEO
Livingston Communications

Popularity: 68% [?]

Nationals Stadium Leaves You Feeling Empty

Posted on: April 19th, 2008 by Geoff Livingston 1 Comment

Well, the team is horrible. Let the fire Bowden meme begin, he certainly deserves some blame after three+ years of ineptitude. Yeah, Austin Kearns. Wow. But perhaps even more disappointing is the new Nationals stadium (image by StunningMonochrome).

Yes, it’s get every amenity, including funky corners in the outfield. The seats are great offering outstanding views throughout. Standard amenities, Build-a-Screech workshop, Five Guys and Hard Times, even a place to play Guitar Hero. Another thing of note is the huge scoreboard.

But the ballpark has no soul.

Sorry, I’ve been to enough ballparks to know. New ones like Camden Yards, PNC Park the Jake (yeah, I won’t call it anything else) and AT&T park are all superior. Even the second tier of newbies like Coors Field, Tiger Stadium Citizen Bank Park are better than this. Let’s not even get into Wrigley or Fenway.

The problem is the lack of character. It’s supposed to be a ballpark, not a bad rip-off of a second tier Cooperstown museum. The painted all stars from yesteryear just show that the city doesn’t have any baseball nostalgia of its own. And the reflection of Washington in the architecture is just bland. Maybe that facade is an accurate depiction of a federal building.

In short, Nationals Park is a functional place to entertain someone for a few hours, but no place to stir your soul. As bad as RFK was, at least it had a sense of fun to it. I miss that old dump.

Popularity: 28% [?]

Epic Nazi Sex Scandal Embroils FormulaOne

Posted on: April 5th, 2008 by Geoff Livingston 4 Comments

And you thought the Elliot Spitzer scandal was amazing. It’s rare when you see a sex scandal this bad. FormulaOne is facing an epic scandal that can crash and tarnish its brand with a permanent haze of anti-semitic debauchery.

From Time Magazine: Last Sunday the British tabloid News of the World posted video footage on its website of [International Automobile Federation president Max] Mosley and five prostitutes in what it frothily described as “a depraved Nazi-style orgy in a torture dungeon.” The video, which has been removed from the newspaper’s web site, also captures a prostitute commanding Mosley to strip before she inspects his head and genitals for lice, which the paper suggest was “mocking the humiliating ways Jews were treated by SS death camp guards in World War II.”

It seems impossible to imagine a scandal like that. Wow! And yeah, as a Jew, I’d have to agree with the News of the World. This is absolutely despicable.

Mosley, a powerful man in multi-billionaire industry, refuses to resign to date. For FormulaOne’s sake, Mosely must resign promptly. The automobile manufacturers will need to turn up the heat to force a resignation before anti-defamation protests turn into lost revenues.

In a twit response to this article, B.L. Ochman said, “Yecch! blecch! what a pig! http://tinyurl.com/6k5m56 car companies need to boycott the IAF ’til he resign.” Amen, B.L.

“Those Europeans sure now how to do their scandals, huh,” said Nicholas Tolson.

Popularity: 34% [?]