The Atlanta Braves were clinging to a 5-4 lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 2 of the National League playoffs. With two balls, two strikes, and one out in the top of the 9th inning, Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos hit a pitch from Braves pitcher Raisel Iglesias deep to right-center field. The Phillies’ Bryce Harper took off from first base at full speed thinking he could score all the way from first and tie the game.
Not only did the game’s outcome stand in the balance for the Braves, but so did their entire season if they fell behind two games to none.
It was then that Braves centerfielder Michael Harris II sprinted towards the ball. Watch the video below to see what happened next:
Harris’s catch, throw, and third baseman Austin Riley’s relay to first base doubling up Harper is one of the greatest defensive plays in baseball history.
So what can leaders learn from this miraculous play?
6 Leadership Lessons from Atlanta Braves Michael Harris II’s Miraculous Game 2 Catch and Double Play
The following are six leadership lessons from Atlanta Braves Michael Harris II’s miraculous Game 2 catch and double play. All quotes are from this article of The Athletic.
There Is A Personal Price Leaders Must Be Willing To Pay
Sometimes leaders have to proverbially crash into the wall. Let me explain.
Many people want the perks of leadership, but few are willing to pay the price required to lead. In fact, part of being a leader is the willingness to pay a higher price than those you are called to lead. This may include longer hours, harder conversations, and tougher decisions. These are just some of the costs of being a leader.
Harris said, “I just knew as a defender, I was going to do anything I could to make the play and get a glove on it. I had to put my body at risk and I was just going up to grab it, no matter what.”
Consistency Is A Key To Great Performance
When your baseline of performance is consistent excellence, doing something extraordinary is more likely. Phillies shortstop Trea Turner said, “Harris is really good out there. He makes the play all the time.”
Awareness Allows You To Quickly Respond To The Needs Around You
Being aware allows you to quickly address the issues facing those in your sphere of influence. This may include their emotional, physical, or financial needs. Awareness also allows you to quickly respond to market trends and the needs of your customers.
Or, it could allow you to make a game-saving (or even season-saving) play.
Once the ball was hit, Harris II covered 92 feet in 5.4 seconds to make a play at the fence. Braves pitcher Max Fried said, “I don’t expect anything less from him. … Jumping into the wall with his left side, I’m sure it wasn’t ideal, but his awareness to get the ball in as soon as possible, it’s a big-time play.”
One Person’s Mistake Can Be Another Person’s Opportunity
Harper’s base running mistake created an opportunity for the Braves. Harris and third baseman Austin Riley not only sensed an opportunity, they seized it.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said, “Usually you don’t pass the base. You stay in front of it, make sure it’s not caught. But he thought the ball was clearly over his head, didn’t think he was going to catch it.”
***BONUS*** Pride Goes Before Destruction and a Haughty Spirit Before A Fall
It is also important not to gloat at someone’s mistake. Numerous outlets are reporting Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia mocked Harper afterwards in the locker room saying he, “cackled emphatically about Harper’s misfortune, bellowing ‘ha-ha, atta-boy, Harper!’ ” Harper responded with two home runs in a Game 3 blowout.
Good And Bad Luck If Often Simply A Case Of Positioning
To have success, you must first position yourself for success. This may be educationally, financially, professionally, or knowing the right people. Whatever the case may be, successful people rarely “fall into good luck.” They have positioned themselves for it.
While Harris made an incredible catch, he needed the help of one of his teammates to throw out Harper at first. That teammate was third baseman Austin Riley.
Riley said, “I think the only reason I was in the position that I was because I was screaming, ‘One!’ and just momentum just kept pulling me that way.” However, Braves catcher Sean Murphy noted, “He’s probably just being modest. I’m sure he saw the throw coming in and was getting behind it. He found himself in the right spot.”
Riley makes us reflect and ask the question, are we putting ourselves in the right spots to make plays in our lives?
Big Time Players Make Big Time Plays In Big Time Games
Simply put, game-changing plays are made by game-changers. The Braves are a team loaded with game changers.
Braves manager Brian Snitker noted, “He (Riley) just is doing that subconsciously, I’m sure. Just the baseball player in him took him to that spot and (he was) able to make that play.” Murphy concluded, “There’s nothing that tells you how to do that or be there, but it’s just a good baseball player making a good play.”
Are you a good leader who just had another good leadership day?
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