Taking a Stand « Wayne Hastings

I’m learning – it’s extremely important to me and my business to take a stand. Too many times we go for the comfortable outcome, or we just waffle between the lines. I’m learning to take a stand and it’s making a difference.

Jackie Robinson is known for taking many stands. I think we can all learn from him.

John Kilma recently wrote:

Jack swore the ball was a home run. Swore that his eyes had followed the ball correctly off the bat of Duke Snider. Swore that he saw the ball almost apologetically inch over the top of the brick wall at Wrigley Field. Swore that his instincts and observations couldn’t possibly be wrong, for they had always served as his compass, the conductor between his convictions and the battles he chose. He was on his way to home plate to await Snider’s arrival when he caught third base umpire Bill Stewart acting far too pensive, contemplating what Jack knew had to be right. The years had taught Robinson that apprehension was the surest way a decision would not match his beliefs.

Stewart ruled the ball had hit the wall. It was a ground-rule double. Robinson was furious. He charged out of the dugout and was nose-to-nose with Stewart. But something was wrong. Manager Walter Alston, coaching third base, didn’t step between his player and the umpire. Robinson looked behind him and saw three or four Dodgers perched on the top step of the dugout, but realized that they weren’t coming in after him.

“I sensed that I was alone,” Robinson would say later. “But I had to keep going.”

Alston thought the call was right, but he made no effort to save Robinson from an inevitable ejection. The next time Robinson saw Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley, he felt enough comfort to express his insecurity.

“That was the last time you’ll ever see me fighting the team’s battles,” Robinson said.

O’Malley shook his head, knowing better.

“You’ll never stop fighting them, Jack,” O’Malley said. “And I wouldn’t want to have you any other way.”

Jackie Robinson is a hero of mine. He chose to take several stands and he impacted generations of people because he was unafraid. That inspires me and I hope it inspires you to take a stand.