On one of my bookcases, with other baseball memorabilia I have collected over the years, sits a 1991 Toronto All-Star Game ball that once had a “Pete Joe” signature. When one of my salespersons gifted it to me, I knew the signature would not last, as it was signed with a marker the seller was carrying when the opportunity presented itself instead of using a pen. Now, 33 years later, all that is left of Pete’s signature is a very faint “P.”
However, the career achievements of Rose’s 17 times being an All-Star with 4,256 hits will never fade.
Rose was banned from baseball and from ever being inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was found to have placed numerous bets on the Cincinnati Reds to win from 1985 to 1987 when he was still playing for and managing the team.
If you were to ask a room of ardent fans of the game if Rose should be allowed to be placed into the Hall of Fame, about half would say “yes,” me included.
I agree with longtime sportscaster Bob Costas on this subject: “He broke the cardinal rule. He should be banned from baseball under that rule for life. But somebody got those 4,256 base hits and those three batting championships. Put him in the Hall of Fame. Put it at the bottom of his plaque, ‘Banned from baseball in 1989 for life.’ It’s part of the record, but he should be in as a player.”
Mickey Mantle said of Rose jokingly when he watched a young Pete take a spring training game as seriously as if it were Game 7 of the World Series, “Look at Charlie Hustle over there.” Rose loved the comment and adopted it as his nickname as it personified how he played the sport.
Rose:
All the above are records.
A record that may never be beat.
He outhit the immortal “Georgia Peach” Ty Cobb. (Although Cobb was a better hitter overall with a .367 batting average vs .303 for Rose. He scored more runs than the “Say Hey Kid” Willie Mays. He played more baseball games than “The Hammer” Hank Aaron.
Rose ran out his walks and dove headfirst into bases. He played his heart out each and every game.
He wasn’t born with exceptional talents. He was not fast. He wasn’t graceful like DiMaggio or Ken Griffy. He didn’t have a strong arm like Roberto Clemente (or my personal hero, Al Kaline). What he did have was a consistent effort to give his all and get the maximum out of the abilities he possessed.
That is the key to being an All-Star Seller — consistency of effort. A thirst to win! You have to hustle!
Give your all every time you suit up to sell. Your daily goal shouldn’t be to step up to the plate and knock out a home run with every prospect. I’m not saying to never swing for the fences, but your main goal should be to get a hit and get on base with a client.
You get on base with clients more often with a consistent plan of … prospecting, client research, solid presentations, following up and knowing your numbers. You become a better seller by being coachable, flexible, driven and enthusiastic. Every day, you need to show up, work hard, play hard, be 100% present, be intentional about sales basics, dive headfirst into your sales craft and prioritize the work that will move your sales through your pipeline quickly.
Have a Pete Rose "hustle" attitude daily, and great things will happen!
Jeff Sleete is a 50+ year broadcast industry veteran — sales manager/GM/corporate sales head. He most enjoys helping sales departments position themselves as “mavens” (experts) of business to be more successful at selling advertising. Fundamentally, Jeff is a salesman. Through his media sales consultancy, Sleete Sales Script, he provides a daily road map for sellers of any media outlet type to be more consultative in their approach to their clients and set themselves apart from all their competition. Learn more about Jeff at https://www.sleetesales.com/. Or reach him at jeff@sleetesales.com.
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