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The Miami Book Hub J Adrian Betancourt Ken Davidoff Episode 30
Growing up playing Little League in Miami, I saw how seriously we take baseball. I also saw the pressure some parents put on their kids. I was lucky. My dad cheered us on and supported us when we played poorly. That memory stayed with me during my recent conversation with Ken Davidoff on The Miami Book Hub. Ken spent roughly 30 years covering Major League Baseball, including a decade as a New York Post columnist. Now, with retired pediatrician and parenting expert Dr. Harley Rotbart, he has co-authored 101 Lessons from the Dugout: What Baseball and Softball Can Teach Us About the Game of Life. The book speaks to young readers, but our conversation kept returning to lessons adults need, too. How do we respond when we are overlooked? What do we owe our teammates? And when did enjoying the game become less important than being the best? Ken began with a familiar disappointment: arriving at the field and discovering you are not in the starting lineup. His advice is to stay ready and make the most of your opportunity. The same applies to a student who lands only two lines in the school play. “The only rejection you should never experience is from yourself,” he read from the book. Then he turned the question around. If you are already in the lineup, are you looking out for the people on the bench? Ken recalled being a 15-year-old defensive replacement who made a strong catch in right field. Afterward, when his manager was handing out recognition patches, a teammate spoke up for him. “I was so thrilled,” he recalled. Four decades later, he still remembered how good it felt to be included. “With great talent comes great responsibility,” I suggested. Ken agreed. A few words from someone who already belongs can help someone else feel that they do, too. We also talked about “small ball,” which brought me back to Juan Pierre and the Marlins’ 2003 World Series team. Ken described building his journalism career the same way: introducing himself, watching experienced reporters and earning another assignment. Those small steps prepared him for bigger opportunities. There is a useful reminder here for anyone eager to skip the fundamentals. As a father, I was especially drawn to the lesson “Excellent doesn’t mean perfect.” Ken pointed out that even outstanding hitters fail far more often than they succeed. Young people can put enormous pressure on themselves. A disappointing grade or a bad game should leave room for another try. That is one reason the authors encourage children to read with parents, grandparents and coaches. The adults have a role in making these lessons real. My father still organizes memories around baseball seasons and World Series winners. I could easily imagine the conversations a book like this might start between generations. Ken has found something in it for himself as well. After leaving a demanding career he no longer enjoyed, writing about baseball for young people helped him rediscover his love for the game. I appreciated that. Sometimes helping someone else see the possibilities reminds us why we cared in the first place. Learn more about Ken’s book at Bloomsbury.com and follow him on Instagram at @KenDavidoff. To explore more episodes—and the wider world of The Miami Book Hub (Podcast + Newsletter + Column)—visit TheMiamiBookHub.com. Until next time… keep reading, keep writing, and stay curious, Miami.
