My six-year-old son started playing Little League last year. Watching these young athletes trying to learn the skills to catch, throw, and bat made me realize how difficult those skills are.
When a new Little Leaguer actually caught a ball, they were often surprised they actually did it. Then they didn’t want to throw it to someone else and risk them not catching the ball. By the end of the season, they were starting to understand that we can throw balls faster than we can run. But the instinct to hang on was still pretty strong.
My dad had a saying, “The right thing to do is often the hard thing to do.” But some people make doing the right thing look easy. That certainly is the case in the recent podcast conversation I had with baseball fan, Glenn Mutti-Driscoll.
Glenn caught Cal Raleigh’s 60th home run ball at a Seattle Mariners game in September. He instinctively chose to give it away to a 12-year-old boy that was sitting nearby him. Glenn’s reason for giving the ball away to a kid he’d never met was simply, “it was the right thing to do.”
The wonderful thing about this act of kindness was that he didn’t do it for recognition. Still the Mariners managed to track him down and reward his generous act with gifts of their own. Here’s a short clip of Glenn describing how his family enjoyed the minor celebrity status associated with being kind.
Just like Little Leaguers, we need to practice giving the ball away. We might want to be individual heroes. But to move things down the field, it often is easier to work together, on and off the field. I love Glenn’s story because it makes visible all the wonderful things that can happen when we do.
If you want to hear more of Glenn’s story, you can listen (and please subscribe) to How To Share on Spotify, Amazon Music, or Apple Podcasts.
I’m the host of the How to Share – a podcast that celebrates the art of teaching, learning, giving, and growing.
My personal blog site is Surprised by Joy. You can also find me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynneleon/ and Instagram @wynneleon
Your father’s saying is absolutely true and Glenn giving the ball away is such a valuable act of kindness. Great story Wynne!
Thank you, Cristiana!
Oh I can’t wait to listen Wynne. What a great “interview get” for you. I read about his story. So kind. I’m not sure many other folks would have acted the same way. They would’ve made it about themselves and what they could’ve gotten for the ball! Btw, sorry about Seattle losing in the playoffs. Hope Mr D wasn’t too upset!
I’m not sure how many others would have be so selfless as well, Brian. We took the playoff loss hard but I think that’s part of sports too, right? Thanks for reading!
Oh I know about hard losses! Ha ha. Hang in there.
What a delightful and enjoyable interview Wynne! Bravo! 👏🏼⚾🤩 What an angel and kind heart. Thank you for sharing this conversation. Love your dad’s saying by the way. It speaks volumes my friend. 💖
I love this comment, Kym. You are right on about Glenn – a great person with a kind heart! Thanks for taking the time!
Oh you’re so very welcome my dear Wynne! I concur with your comments and compliments of Glenn. Hugs my friend. 🤗⚾🤩
That’s so kind of him and it’s so true, often the right thing to do is difficult.
So true! Thanks, Pooja!
You’re welcome!