Songs and Videos Explained

If you noticed something new about this blog, you're right. There are two new features: a Song of the Day and a Video of the Day.

By uploading a different song each morning, I hope to provide a little bit of inspiration and fun to kick off your day or provide an outlet for readers to relax from the stresses of work. Songs are from all different genres but there won't be too much heavy metal.

Since beginning this little feature on October 18th, my five top favorite songs have been:

1. "Dirty Water" by The Standells - - I'll give you one guess why (October 27, 2016)
2. "Your's 4Sure" by We Are Leo (October 23, 2016)
3. "Beautiful Day" by U2 (October 21, 2016)
4. "Living on a Prayer": by Bon Jovi (October 29, 2016)
5. "Let It Go" from Frozen (October 18, 2016) 

The afternoon video provides the same thing as the morning song. Around the 4:00 hour at work (or as I like to call it "The 4:00 Project Hour") where you have one hour left in the work day and you need an extra push to get you through. These two-to-five minute videos hope to do just that. As a disclaimer I have never posted any video that I have NOT already seen (and enjoyed) myself. I know not everyone is like me or has the same interests as I do but I hope some of the videos people can take something from them.

Anyone who knows me, knows I  love reading about leadership and watching videos. There's just something about the study of leadership that is so interesting so as another disclaimer there may be a lot of leadership videos (mainly from Simon Sinek) as well as sports videos.

Some of my favorite videos from October 18th:

1. Kevin Spacey Narrates Kipling's "If" in Honor of David Ortiz (October 18, 2016)
2. Boston Strong (October 24, 2016)
3. Bob Davids Ted Talk: The Rarest Commodity is Leadership without Ego (October 21, 2016)
4. Adam Scher: Leadership is a Process (October 29, 2016)
5. Simon Sinek:  How Not to Manage People (October 28, 2016)

Video of the Day: Leadership without Ego

TedTalk: The Rarest Commodity is Leadership without Ego

Bob Davids

Anyone who knows me, knows I love studying and reading about leadership. This video is the best video I have seen so far in the difference between being a manager and a leader. Bob's example of jumping in the ditch to correct the problem with the pipe shows the most important thing that separates a manager and a leader. The leader is the one who is jumping in and pulling the team along' the manager will just push his team and you don't know which way he will go. 

Song of the Day: Build Me Up Buttercup (The Foundations)

Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations

Album: Build Me Up Buttercup

Released: 1968

Video of the Day: Boston Strong Part II

Boston Strong Part II: Final Out of 2013 World Series (10/30/13)

First time in 95 years the Sox clinch the World Series at Fenway Park since 1918

Song of the Day: Three Little Birds (Bob Marley)

Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

Album: Exodus

Released: 1977

Three-year anniversary when John Lackey tossed six scoreless innings and shortstop Stephen Drew homered in a 6-1 game six victory against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2013 World Series. The victory was the first time the Red Sox won a World Series on their home field since 1918. (The 2004 and 2007 championships were each won on the road in St. Louis and Colorado, respectively.)

Video of the Day: Leadership is a Process

TedxColumbia: Leadership is a Process; Not a Product

Adam Scher

True leader gives guidance and inspires. Our job as leaders is not to gain more followers but develop more leaders. 

Song of the Day: Living on a Prayer (Bon Jovi)

Living On A Prayer by Bon Jovi

Album: Rock Star

Released: 1986

Video of the Day: Simon Sinek on How Not To Manage People

We all could learn a little bit on the subject Simon Sinek talks about on managing people. 

Song of the Day: We're Not Going to Take It (Twisted Sister)

We're Not Going to Take It by Twisted Sister 

Album: Stay Hungry

Released: 1984

This the song for anyone who needs to vent against an authority figure and is ready to fight and can be used at any point in time and situation. 

Video of the Day: Breaking of the Curse

The Breaking of the Curse

Final out of the 2004 World Series

"Can You Believe It?" - Joe Castiglione

Song of the Day: Dirty Water (The Standells)

Dirty Water by The Standells

Album: Dirty Water

Released: 1966

Despite not being from Boston, The Standells still wrote a song about Boston and the heavily polluted Charles River. It is now a staple at Fenway Park after every Red Sox win. And in recognition of the 12th anniversary of the 2004 World Series it is today's Song of the Day! 

Video of the Day: David Ortiz from Somwhere

From Somewhere: David Ortiz

The Players Tribune

Song of the Day: Valerie (Amy Winehouse)

Valerie by Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson

Album: Lioness: Hidden Treasures

Released: 2011

Video of the Day: Discover Your Why

Discover Your Why

Simon Sinek

Why you do what you do? 

What's your purpose? What's your cause? What's your belief? 

Why does your organization exist? Why did you get out of bed?  Why should anyone care?

Song of the Day: Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson)

Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson

Album: Uptown Special

Released: 2014

Video of the Day: Boston Strong

The ESPN 30 for 30 reflecting on the days after the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15, 2013 and David Ortiz's "This is our f*ckin city" speech. 

Song of the Day: Love is Action (Tauren Walls)

Love is Action (Tauren Wells) 

Album: Undefeated EP

Released: 2016

Video of the Day: Dr. Ivan Joseph's Ted Talk on Self-Confidence

Dr. Ivan Joseph Talks about the skill of self-confidence and the ability to believe in yourself

Song of the Day: Your's 4Sure (We Are Leo)

Your's 4Sure by We Are Leo

Album: Fightback Soundtrack

Released: October 14, 2014

Video of the Day: David Ortiz's Grand Slam in Game 2 of the 2013 ALCS

Dave O'Brien's call of David Ortiz's game-tying homerun in the eighth inning of game two of the 2013 ALCS followed by music from "The Natural." 

Song of the Day: Saturday Night (Bay City Rollers)

Saturday Night by Bay City Rollers

Album: Wouldn't You Like It

Released: 1975

Video of the Day: Simon Sinek on Authenticity

One of the world's expert on leadership, Simon Sinek, talks about being authentic and how it motivates people and gets others to follow you 

Song of the Day: Beautiful Day (U2)

Beautiful Day by U2

Album: All That You Can't Leave Behind

Released: 2000

Bono says the song is about "a man who has lost everything but finds the joy in what he still has." (Songfacts.com)

Video of the Day: Do Your Job

Do Your Job

The Story of the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick

Song of the Day: Another Night (Real McCoy)

Another Night by The Real McCoy

Album: Another Night

Released: 1993

The song spent 11 weeks at #3 on the Hot 100 - a record for the most frames tallied at the chart's bronze medal rank. (Songfacts.com)

Video of the Day: The Four Personality Types

The Four Personality Types

Understanding the different personality types and how to work with them. 

Which one are you? Comment below. 

Song of the Day: Because You Loved Me (Celine Dion)

Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion

Album: Falling Into You

Released: 1996

Written for the movie Up Close & Personal. (Songfacts.com)

Video of the Day: Spacey Narrates Kiplings "If" in Honor of David Ortiz

Kevin Spacey Narrates Kipling's "If" in Honor of David Ortiz

(Boston Red Sox)

Song of the Day: Let it Go (Frozen)

Let It Go (Frozen)

Senator Schilling (R-MA)??

Former Red Sox right-hander Curt Schilling could be your next U.S. Senator, Massachusetts residents. Yes that is right the 2004 post-season hero who brought Red Sox Nation their first World Series championship in 86 years has thrown his hat into the ring, looking to unseat incumbent, Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is seeking re-election.

Last month, Schilling teased he was thinking about a run for political office - either opposing Warren for the junior Senate seat or running for Massachusetts Governor, if Charlie Baker pursues a Presidential run in 2020. Now Schilling has almost confirmed he will oppose Warren on the 2018 ticket. The only thing stopping him is he hasn't exactly told his wife, Shonda, of his plans.

It appears as if Schilling's political career has crashed before it even got off the ground. One thing is known for sure this decision has ruined his family. The Schilling Family will never be the same again because he did not discuss it with his wife first.

Where does Schilling go from here? He goes back to Shonda and undoubtedly if she says no, he will respond with "I guess this means we're getting a divorce" because Schilling's "Look At Me" mentality will have it no other way.

Schilling has done great things as a baseball player and person in Massachusetts. His legacy with the Red Sox was cemented when he pitched on one leg in Game 6 of the 2004 ALCS and risked the rest of his career to bring the Sox their first championship.

But to quote Bill Belichick, Schilling "is who he is." He's baseball player, who enjoys the political talk and who did great things both on and off the field. He's not a a politician.

Schilling's reaction to Cleveland Indians' starter Trevor Bauer pitching game three of the ALCS Monday night is a prime example. Bauer took the mound Monday night despite getting 10 stitches in the pinky finger of his pitching hand after slicing it open fixing his drone days before. He only last two-thirds of an inning but no-doubt it drew comparisons to Schilling's bloody sock which irked the former Red Sox right-hander.

We can all agree it was not smart of Bauer to be playing around with his drone during the post-season but is it really appropriate for Schilling to be commenting? His tweet during the game last night makes it seem like it is all about him and what he did was better. Neither one was better than the other. Each performance was just as heroic despite the different scenarios which caused each player to pitch with pain.

How Do You Score That?: Toronto's Game 3 Walk Off Against Texas

The final play of Toronto Blue Jays' extra inning, game three, 7-6 victory that knocked out the American League regular season champion Texas Rangers, was an interesting one for all baseball scorers. (Final play at 0:38 below.)

Jays' Josh Donaldson led off the inning with a a double into the right-centerfield gap. With the game-winning run in scoring position the Rangers' Matt Bush walks Edwin Encarnacion to set up the double-play before striking out Jose Bautista swinging. 

Now here's where the drama comes in. With the Blue Jays catcher, Russell Martin at the dish, he hits a slow 3-2, ground-ball just to the left of shortstop Elvis Andrus. Making a move to his right, Andrus fields the ball and throws it low to second baseman Roughned Odor for the force out of Encarnacion. Trying to complete the double-play with the slow-footed Martin running down the line, Odor bounces a ball five feet in front of first baseman Mitch Moreland but the ball bounces off Moreland's glove and towards the outfield. 

While all this is happening on the right side of the infield, Donaldson was playing heads up baseball and scored the game-winning run with a head-first slide into the plate. Official scoring decision was a throwing error by Odor allowing Martin to reach base and allowing Donaldson to score in the process. 

However, there is some debate to the decision. According to Rule 9.12.d.3, "the official scorer shall not charge an error against any fielder who makes a wild throw in attempting to complete a double play or triple play, unless such wild throw enables any runner to advance beyond the base such would have reached had the throw not been wild." 

Applying this rule to the game-winning play in Toronto, Donaldson used great baseball instincts. With runners at first and second, Andrus could have opted to get the lead runner (Donaldson) at third on the infield chopper, but he didn't, he chose to try to turn the quintessential double play and threw to second. When Donaldson recognized this he was able to make a wide turn, thus not slowing himself down and he had a good view of first base and once the throw into first base was low he turned it into another gear, heading home. 

In the eyes of this official scorer, the throw to first did not allow Donaldson to score. It was Moreland's inability to keep the ball in front of him and allowing the ball to bounce of his glove towards the outfield that made it easier for Donaldson to slide in with the game-winner. If Moreland fielded the ball cleanly off the bounce or the ball bounced towards the plate, it would have been a closer play at the plate and maybe even the final out of the inning, preserving the tie. 

But it didn't, which is why an error to should have been assessed to the first baseman, Moreland, if you were to record an error. But the more I look at the play the more I see two things: heads up base-running by Donaldson who took advantage of two bad throws and an extraordinary effort from a first baseman to throw out Donaldson at the plate. So it would make perfect sense to remove the error all together.

Watch the play for yourself here at 0:38 and you make the call:

Game 3: One Game at a Time

So it all comes down to one man.

The fate of the 2016 Red Sox season and one last chance to get David Ortiz back to the World Series
lies on the right shoulder of one Clay Buchholz, Sunday afternoon. To quote Sox radio voice  Joe Castiglione (but this time with a sarcastic tone): can you believe it?

You know the same Clay Buchholz that Sox fans wanted run out of town back in May. The same Clay Buchholz that was banished to the bullpen mid-way through the summer. And the same Clay Buchholz who finished the last two months of the regular season with a 4-1 record, 3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 36 strikeouts in eight starts. Yeah that Clay Buchholz.

Red Sox Nation, the guy who had the bulls-eye on his back and was the target of most of your complaints throughout the season, has been your second best pitcher down the stretch run - posting a 5-1 record with a 3.22 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 40 strikeouts after the All-Star Game break. There's no arguing with those numbers.

Now I get it. You don't know which Clay Buchholz is going to show up in Game Three against the Indians on Sunday. But I can tell you one thing: there isn't anyone I'd rather hand the ball to than Buchholz in this situation.

For everything that he has been through this year, he handled it with the utmost integrity. Pitching so poorly early on that he loses his spot in the rotation but he didn't get upset, he didn't throw a tantrum. He simply did his job, moved to the bullpen and took the mound when his number was called. (Does this sound familiar? Sounds like "The Patriot Way," doesn't it?) A few weeks later he was called back into the rotation and forced manager John Farrell to make the difficult choice of who start in the Division Series.

That is no easy feat. And to those Red Sox fans who have criticized Buchholz for a lack of mental toughness (your's truly), his success at the end of the regular season, after what he went through during the season, is the definition of mental toughness. So in this situation, down 2-0 in the series, there is no other pitcher I'd rather have out there. He's faced bigger and sudden waves; this is just another wave and this time he has advance warning.

But it cannot all be Buchholz. The Sox offense has been putrid in the first two games on the shores of Lake Erie and Farrell's tinkering with the line-up was not making things any better. They have to help out Buchholz and puts some runs on the board early. They have re-kindle the powerhouse offense from April and May and then again during their September 11-game winning streak.

The young leaders of team, Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Mookie Betts, played like they had tight sphincters at the plate. Now I'm not saying they weren't nervous, playing in the post-season for the first time in their Major League careers but that's over. They have to get back to swinging the bat like they were all year: loose.

Veterans, Dustin Pedroia and David Ortiz haven't been much better. They look just as tight. Remember the final out of game one, Thursday night? That wasn't a Dustin Pedroia at-bat. And Ortiz looks like he's trying to be "Big Papi" and be the post-season hero. That's the wrong thought process.

It's now 'just get one game.' Take it one at-bat at a time. One pitch at a time. One out at a time. One inning at a time. Don't try to do too much and swing easy.