The Lesson of Wally Pipp
Several weeks ago, a client wanted to know if it would be okay to exercise while enduring a slight headache and a mild cold. Another client felt tired from too much partying the night before. I reviewed the exercise guidelines for these situations and assured them it would be beneficial to work out, even at a reduced level of intensity. Each time I concluded my pep talk with a slight smile and said, “Besides, you don’t want to get ‘Wally Pipped’ do you?” Their blank looks inspired me to tell the tale of Wally Pipp, the most important baseball player you never heard of.
Born Walter Clement Pipp in 1893, Wally became the NY Yankees everyday first baseman in 1915. Pipp was a wonderful fielder, a career leader for fielding percentages (.992) and putouts at first base. In addition, he was a great slugger, having twice led the American League in home runs. More important than hitting homers was his ability to drive in runs: for six years he had 90 or more RBIs. In 1923 he had 108, and in 1924 he had 114…all before the days of designated hitters, personal trainers, Astroturf and twenty million dollar salaries.
Then on June 2, 1925, the wheels of his career went of the tracks. Pipp asked Yankee’s manager, Miller Huggins, if he could sit out the game because he had a headache. Huggins was a fine player who later became the manager that turned the Yankees into the dynasty they are to this day. In his wisdom as the Yankees skipper, he told rookie Lou Gehrig to fill in for Pipp. Pipp never played for the Yankees again. He was traded to the Reds and retired two years later. Gehrig’s record 2130 consecutive games played over 14 years stood until it was broken in 1995 by Cal Ripken, Jr. Both Gehrig and Huggins are in the Baseball Hall of Fame while Pipp is relegated to a Trivial Pursuit question.
What would have happened if Pipp had swallowed an aspirin, ran a few laps, taken batting practice then suited up for play on that fateful summer day? Would things have turned out differently? Would Yankee Stadium be the “House That Pipp Built?” We will never know.
Would you get more out of life if you had more energy? Would you be better prepared for life’s curve balls if you had more stamina and strength? Unfortunately most of us do not have the option of taking ourselves out of the game and asking the manager to have a pinch hitter take the kids to the dentist or have someone come off the bench to go to work for us.
Team, tomorrow we begin the World Series. Our opponents are cagey. Lethargy is on first; Complacency is on second and Lack of Confidence is pitching. These guys are tough but as old as the hills. We can beat them with our team: nobody can turn a double play like Self Efficacy and Experience. Confidence will be hitting lead-off and Commitment will be our starting pitcher. If things get tough, we can always bring in Resiliency from the bullpen to close the game. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep, and be ready to play. This is one game you can’t afford to miss.
It’s easy to get out of the game of exercising; there is always a reason too; too busy, too tired, and too lazy. But we will never know what heights we can reach if we don’t overcome the “too” reasons and replace them with motivation, determination, and energy. Is it in you? You’ll never know unless you try.
