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Beating the Odds

Motivation by the Numbers: 18

In just three days, Don Larsen went from loser to legend.

Larsen, by most measures a below-average big-leaguer, achieved sports immortality on Oct. 8, 1956, pitching the only perfect game in World Series history.

“Sometimes a week might go by when I don’t think about that game, but I don’t remember when it happened last,” Larsen said decades later.

Larsen isn’t alone in remembering. As long as the World Series is played, people will talk about his feat. You can see him in this video, wearing the number 18 on the back of his New York Yankees jersey.

Larsen was a most unlikely hero. In his second big-league season, he lost more games than anyone else in the league. Three days before his historic game, he pitched poorly.

On top of that, Larsen was known to enjoy the night life. He once crashed his car into a telephone pole at five in the morning, prompting Yankees manager Casey Stengel to say, “He was either out pretty late or up pretty early.”

Added Jimmy Dykes, another of Larsen’s managers, “The only thing he fears is sleep.”

And yet, on the big stage of Yankee Stadium, Larsen delivered a game for the ages.

“The imperfect man pitched the perfect game,” said the New York Daily News.

That’s why 18 is the featured numeral in today’s “Motivation by the Numbers.” It’s a reminder that, just like Larsen, you have brilliance within you.

No matter what your flaws, no matter what your history, you carry brilliance within you. It can show at any moment, just as it did for Larsen. But don’t sit and wait for it. Help your brilliance come out.

A great way to do it is to call Dr. Rob Gilbert’s Success Hotline at (973) 743-4690. Dr. Gilbert, a renowned motivator, is also presenting “Motivation by the Numbers” this week.

When that brilliance comes out, you could deliver your own performance for the ages.

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Thank you for visiting Total Game Plan. If your team, group or business needs a motivational speaker, please email coachtully @ totalgameplan.com. Here are some other resources for your success:

Think Better, Win More!” will give you a mental game to match your physical game.

To get better at anything, check out “The Improvement Factor: How Winners Turn Practice into Success.”

Do you coach females? Are you a female athlete, or the parent of one? Here’s “Was It Something I Said? A Guide to Coaching Female Athletes” by Vanessa Sullivan and Mike Tully

Need some motivation? Everyone needs it now and then. Open any page of “Thank God You’re Lazy! The Instant Cure for What’s Holding You Back” by Dr. Rob Gilbert and Mike Tully.

Are you a teacher, boss or sports coach? Here’s “Ten Things Great Coaches Know” by Mike Tully and Gary Pritchard.

Want to have your best basketball season ever? Here’s “Basketball: What Great Players Know that You Don’t Know,” by Mike Tully and Gio Grassi.

Discussion

One comment for “Motivation by the Numbers: 18”

  1. As a 9 yr old boy, I remember that game well. I thought Yogi was going to have a stroke out there, but lots of folks felt the same way. All that on an ol’ Zenith Black and White TV!

    Thanks Coach, for all you and Dr. Gilbert do to build a fire under us, and keep it stoked regularly. I will keep the numbers 200K and 18 as very special to me also.

    Posted by Roy Ferrell | April 29, 2015, 2:53 pm

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