![\"bashbros2\"](\"http:\/\/www.johnpaciorek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/bashbros2.jpg\")
<\/a>and the team without the so-called \u201csuper-stars\u201d![\"David](\"http:\/\/www.johnpaciorek.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/07\/David-Eckstein-1.jpg\")
<\/a> sometimes wins the championship, or comes awe-fully close. Even teams with the usual positive compatibility factors are not assured of the complete success that would be expected of them, possibly due to injuries, or perhaps the subtle and insidious lack of understanding of what truly constitutes a mental attitude that would preclude all or any thought of failure.<\/p>\nIf your team is merely thought of as \u201cequal\u201d to the sum of its physical parts, it is not going to be as good as it could be. If built upon the basis of mortal imperfection, that team cannot effectively challenge the indefensible elements of worldly inconsistency (sands<\/em> <\/strong>of Time and Space). As physical man is merely the outer extension of the larger portion of himself, what and how is it that each individual can perform at an optimum level of competency \u2013 beyond the resistance of mortal limitation? In Physics, a unified field theory<\/strong> is an imagined<\/strong> \u201cideal\u201d that would allow all that is usually thought of as separate fundamental forces and elementary particles to be written or applied in terms of a single field and to ultimate into a \u201cunified-equal- experience.\u201d The term \u201cunified field theory\u201d was coined by Einstein, who attempted to unify the General Theory of Relativity with Electromagnetism which in turn would proceed to incorporate four seemingly distinct forces into One: \u201cstrong interaction, weak interaction, electromagnetic interaction, and gravitational interaction,\u201d and eventually provide a practical application.<\/p>\n From a solely \u201cmaterial-basis\u201d it is impossible to form a cogent, unified theory from which to incorporate a singular harmonious effect because it appears that innumerable causes are influencing each other in contradictory ways to effect conflicting purposes. On a Universal level, all the components that make up the Whole physical world are the constituents of varying degrees of evolution and are derived from a Source completely \u201cnon-physical,\u201d but none-the-less\u00a0 whose essence projects and extends Its Intent for Infinite expansion into perpetuity. And in modest micro-cosmic order, the body of that which is identified as man is a singular \u201cunit\u201d of function, but composed of trillions of individual cells whose harmonious vibrational unity and cohabitation affects the optimal functionality of the entire organism.<\/p>\n And what is it that determines the common frequency of vibrational communication within the cellular network to assure the Organism of perfect health and functionality but a seemingly \u201cremote\u201d and intangible Source from whose infallible intelligence can best direct and control the operation of life with inexhaustible and impeccable precision. On any team, it is generally conceded that \u201cteamwork\u201d is a primary consideration when evaluating the team as an efficient and proficient \u201cUnit.\u201d The real essence of that factor of compatibility from which any challenging situation may be reduced to a solution through cooperative endeavor is teamwork<\/strong>! Compatibility is a substantive alliance between two or more distinct entities to promote harmony. Cooperation is the only feasible means to procure and establish an effective sense of Teamwork!<\/p>\n Therefore, as it would be insufficient to say that \u201cthe whole is equal <\/em>to the sum of its physical parts,\u201d so it would be as imprecise to say that the \u201cteam is equal<\/em> to the sum of its individual parts,\u201d simply because the \u201csum-total\u201d of all the constituents included within that whole, although integral to the verification of its Physical Completeness, does not account for the intangible and invisible essence from which the Whole derives the integrity of its own intractable adhesion, cohesion, and attraction. For, \u201cthat which is seen is not made by that which does appear.\u201d Therefore, \u201cthe Wholeness of the Team is greater<\/strong> than the sum of its separate parts.\u201d Now! In a professional Sport, as Major League Baseball, how is the Team \u201cgreater than the sum of its parts\u201d? In examining this question we must first be certain not to misconstrue the ideal premise by implying that any individual can become expendable for the \u201cgood of the team.\u201d A \u201csacrifice\u201d bunt simply enhances the credibility of the \u201cbunter\u201d as an \u201cintegral\u201d part of the team. Even a \u201csacrifice\u201d ground-out to the right side of the infield to move a runner from second over to third is a selfless act appreciated and applauded by teammates as well as admired by the \u201copposition,\u201d while the batter receives no augmented recompense to his batting average.<\/p>\n Even if a team executes perfectly the fore-mentioned strategies 100% of the time, it is highly unlikely that it will garner championship status, if that is all that the players have to offer. But it is equally as unlikely that a team capable of such proficiency in one area of the game could not be as capable in other areas.<\/p>\n Once it is mentally affirmed that the Team is greater than the sum of its parts, how can this \u201cimagined ideal\u201d<\/strong> be made practical? When, and how, is it that the team is \u201cgreater than the sum of its parts\u201d? When it (Team of players: individually and collectively) ceases to abide in the mental miasma of \u201cimperfection,\u201d and takes on the responsibility of \u201cPerfection,\u201d<\/strong> or at least to start from that Precise Premise \u2013 for Perfection is not only the goal, but also the \u201cstarting point\u201d from which to attain its manifestation.<\/p>\n Therefore, in order to discern the quality of the \u201ccomplete\u201d Team, it must first be determined what the qualities of the individuals are that comprise the quality of Completeness that constitute the Whole Team. (A popular \u201cspiritual \u2013 hymn\u201d beckons all to, \u201cLet there be Peace on Earth, and let it begin with ME.\u201d In order for Peace, or Wholeness \u2013 Completeness, to occur on the Team, it must begin with ME. <\/strong><\/p>\n The completeness of the Whole is predicated on the completeness of the individual(s). Each player plays an important role in completing the Whole, but will do so only if he understands how to facilitate his own completeness and enhance an expanded essence to the integrity of the Whole. If each player on \u201cthe\u201d team was 100% attuned to the prospect (frequency) of Perfection, he would presumably perform his actions on the ball field with 100% proficiency. Since it is improbable that this degree of perfection would be likely to occur in our present realm of general relativity, what would be the \u201cactual\u201d probability if each player would at least contemplate the possibility of such degree of competence? His performance rating would be in direct proportion to his mental alignment to positive expectation of success. From a defensive skill-set, it would be very difficult to differentiate between the levels of skill of the \u201cbest\u201d players at every position of all the teams in the Big Leagues! Is it possible for a team to win the Championship, whose batters and pitchers are not categorized as the best in the league? It\u2019s possible, but highly improbable, even if their fielding stats are high! Unless, of course, their hitting, pitching, and fielding prowess was at their best and most consistent in the most timely of situations! Could such a team merely be \u201clucky\u201d most of the season? Not likely! And certainly not the best way for any Big League Team to hold expectations for success in the long-run.<\/p>\n Consistency has always been and always will be the standard for which to be successful on the Major-League level of play (as well as in any endeavor in which Principle is consistently applied \u2013 in thought and action). But what is it that would determine the highest level of consistent proficiency for which every team would certainly aspire to attain?<\/p>\n Before defining the elements that would enhance the process of \u201cTeam-Building\u201d in this modern baseball era, let me provide a practical anecdotal experience (or two), about which I had the pleasure of writing earlier:<\/p>\n Of all sporting activities (to watch and play) Baseball is still my favorite, even now-a-days, when its particular \u201crah-rah\u201d fashion to evoke a pure spirit of camaraderie has waned somewhat. In the past, it would have elicited from all teammates, individually and collectively, an inspirational band of communication that connected all to each other in a common bond until the ultimate decision for victory or defeat was imminent. <\/em><\/p>\n As the game was played from childhood through adulthood, the constant chatter amongst teammates, on the field, or in the dugout, was reminiscent of the reverberations that stimulated the livelihood of all kindred creatures, from Humans to Meerkats. Traditionalist views of John McGraw and Connie Mack portray contrasting temperaments that elicited either fear or beneficence from the minds and hearts of the players attached to those regimes. But from where does true inspiration come? It should and will eventually come from within each intrinsically \u201cmotivated-inspired\u201d player. But until such time, perhaps an exemplary figure, whose embodiment characterizes the source from which well-being emanates, will inspire his colleagues to supersede their present attributions and expectations! <\/em><\/p>\n On Saturday, June 28th<\/sup>, 2008, the Dodgers hosted a luncheon (and game afterwards) celebrating the 50th<\/sup> anniversary of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and commemorating the heroic players of the 1970s. My brother, Tom, was one of those players. There is no one who has evoked the childlike spirit of inexhaustible exuberance, no one who embodied the ingratiating extent of joyful anticipation and exhilarating expectation of successful culmination than Tommy Lasorda. It would behoove all Organizations to follow the \u201cLasorda\u201d example, for his \u201cyoke is easy, and his burden is light.\u201d His great appreciation for the opportunities he had been given had only inspired him to give more of himself, and to demonstrate that he had even more to give. If you ever have been within the visual and audio range of Tommy Lasorda, as a player, spectator, or fan, you must have been impressed with the positive energy exuding from his very presence. <\/em><\/p>\n If you were an opponent, you may have felt enraged, however unwittingly, over the inherent \u201cedge\u201d any of his teams held over yours because of their incontestable advantage, the synergy due to his unfair alliance with the \u201cgods\u201d of majestic vibrational harmony. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to believe\u201d is a standard reference point from which all players should start their day with all the enthusiasm they need to further appreciate the opportunity to live life with inexhaustible energy. Before the game on that Saturday, all the players of the 70s were introduced on the field, and received their just applause from an admiring crowd. But when the last dignitary walked onto the field of Dreams, a thunderous roar of Appreciation went out to the most beloved Dodger of them all \u2013Tommy Lasorda, whose humble gratitude always goes out to the \u201cGreat Dodger in the Sky.\u201d Coming Soon: Part 2<\/strong> of, “Is the \u00a0Team Equal to, or Greater than, the Sum of Its Parts”?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Is A Team Equal to the Sum of Its Parts? At first flush, it would seem natural to accept from Physical Science the commonly thought and applied axiom that states, \u201cThe whole is equal to the sum of its parts.\u201d And a casual spectator or an ardent sports fan is usually in agreement with the … Continue reading Is the Team Equal to, or Greater than, the Sum of Its Parts? Part 1 of 3<\/span> <\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nIf success is not evident in the face of momentous failure, there would be cause to ask, \u201cwherefore didst thou doubt?\u201d (This is the point at which a Big League team would need the services of a \u201cmeta-physician\u201d to assist the temporarily \u201cunsuccessful\u201d player regain the confidence in asserting his significant right to be successful.) SEE ESSAY: Vision, Mechanics, Confidence \u2013<\/strong> (Important to the art of consistent hitting is Confidence<\/strong>, an intangible element acquired through an absolute faith<\/strong> in the principle<\/strong> from which a batter bases his ability to produce the stroke that can be applied consistently in any given hitting situation no matter how the speed and subtleties of the ball are effected).<\/p>\n<\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>Those categories in which there seem to be noticeable differences in productivity rather than inherent fundamental abilities are: Pitching and Batting. With all defensive attributions seemingly equal, the team with the best pitching and hitting would be logically considered as having the best chance of winning. <\/a><\/a>But even in this scenario, if those best of pitchers and batters fail to be at their best in timely situations, it won\u2019t matter if their individual statistics are the best in the league, and the team fails to win consistently, that team probably will not attain its ultimate goal of \u201cChampionship.\u201d (Why was the overwhelmingly powerful \u201cGoliath\u201d not successful against the seemingly puny \u201cDavid\u201d when all physical evidence pointed to his presumably insurmountable advantage? \u201cThere is a spirit in man, and the inspiration of the Al-mighty gives \u2018them\u2019 understanding.\u201d)<\/p>\n<\/a>What\u2019s missing in the Big-Leagues now is a collective reverence for the repetitious banter of inspiring incantations that continuously summon mind\u2019s heart to display the emotions of passion, exuberance, and courage that will somehow manifest the jubilation and ecstasy that proceed from triumphal endeavor. Certainly this \u201cirreverent\u201d display is never to be witnessed in the stoic, immobile, or sometimes volatile demeanor of most contemporary \u201cdugout\u201d leaders. <\/em><\/p>\n<\/a> His words, about what playing for the Dodgers meant to him, echoed the sentiments of other players present, including Steve Garvey and Bill Russell. In short, they all offered respect and great appreciation for the man at the helm of each of their careers, the man who was, and is still the epitome of what the Dodgers, and Baseball itself, mean to Los Angeles and much of the World.<\/a><\/a><\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n<\/a>\u201cYOU\u2019VE GOT TO BELIEVE\u201d that every ounce of positive energy comes from the very Soul that created the Universe. And \u201cYOU\u2019VE GOT TO BELIEVE\u201d that \u201cI\u201d am the very exponent of that Universal Source of Energy, the exemplification for all who find their way into the jurisdiction of my \u201crealm of enthusiasm.\u201d \u201cYOU\u2019VE GOT TO BELIEVE\u201d that you too can generate unrestrained enthusiasm of a genuinely righteous Cause for success and victory.<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n