Has the success you have been working so hard for not yet arrived? Have you not received the credit you feel you are due? Do you see talent in yourself no one else seems to notice?
A Star Is Born
If so, you should appreciate the story of Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis Garcia. Garcia has been a revelation in this year’s MLB playoffs hitting five home runs with record-breaking 15 RBIs in the American League Championship Series. More importantly, nine of those RBIs came in the final two games when the Rangers were trailing the defending champion Houston Astros 3 games to 2. Garcia would ultimately win the series Most Valuable Player award.
To show wasn’t a fluke, Garcia hit a walk-off home run to win Game 1 of the World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. See the video below.
Even though Garcia is a two-time All-Star, his pathway to stardom was filled with struggle. He played five years in the Cuban National Series followed by a stint in Japan. After defecting, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals but was released in 2019.
He subsequently signed with the Rangers but was released again in 2021. After clearing waivers, he remained in the Rangers organization. Sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. Garcia then made the All-Star team the following two seasons. This year, he 39 home runs with 107 RBIs.
Then the play-offs arrived and a star was born!
Using comments from this and this article from The Athletic, the man known as “El Bombi” teaches us twelve things to do when your talent goes unnoticed causing delayed success:
Talent Is Often Overlooked
So don’t get frustrated. Not only did the Cardinals release Garcia, but so did his own Texas Rangers. Rangers general manager Chris Young said, “I don’t think baseball understands how talented and special he is.” Well, if you don’t know, now you know.
Struggle Is Necessary For Strength
We have all heard the phrase – “no pain, no gain.” Garcia would agree. He said, “I know everything I had to go through and the struggle just to get where I am today, so I’m really grateful for that.”
Work On Your Character As Much As Your Skills
Many times a leader’s skills, talents, and abilities can take them to a place where their character cannot sustain them. Garcia showed great wisdom in developing his character as well as his talent.
Young added, “I can’t believe the player he’s made himself into. It speaks to the character of the person.” Teammates noted Garcia’s empathy and genuine care for those around him. Second baseman Marcus Semien said. “Everybody loves him. He’s a great teammate, a good leader for the Latin guys, a good leader for our entire team.”
First baseman Nathaniel Lowe concluded, “He’s such a good player. He’s such a hard worker and a good teammate. He deserves it all. Him having success, the hype that comes with it is for real.”
If you want to develop your character, focus on your empathy, care, work ethic, and being a good teammate. If you do so, when your success finally arrives, you have a chance at handling it well.
8 Additional Things You Can Do While Waiting
Young then summarizes the thoughts of many, “He was still a developing player. I think the question we had was, ‘Is he consistent enough to be a good major-league player at that point?’ And I think, honestly, where we were as an organization, we had the ability to give him the runway to work through those things. And I think , we saw a player with extreme aptitude, a player with incredible work ethic — an energy, a passion for excellence and continual improvement. And he’s made himself into the player he is now. And as you get to know the person, it’s no surprise.”
When you break down Young’s thoughts, you discover eight additional things leaders should do when their talent has gone unnoticed with delayed success. First is the lesson followed by the supporting comment:
- Keep Improving – “He was still a developing player.”
- Be Consistent – “Is he consistent enough to be a good major-league player at that point?”
- Use Time To Your Advantage – “we had the ability to give him the runway to work through those things.”
- Take Advantage Of The Opportunities You Are Given – “as he got opportunity”
- Get Smarter – “we saw a player with extreme aptitude”
- Work Hard – “a player with incredible work ethic”
- Bring Positive Energy Every Day – “an energy”
- Have A Passion For Excellence – “a passion for excellence”, not much to add!
Enjoy Your Success When It Comes
In conclusion, enjoy the fruits of your patience and hard work. Rangers special assistant Michael Young said, “The ones who really dig in and lean in to the moment and enjoy it are the ones who have the most success. These last two games (in the ALCS), there is nobody who had more fun than Adolis did. He enjoyed every last pitch. And it was obvious.”
May it be obvious with you as well.
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