The Power of the Bullpen

The team with the best players wins.
- Jack Welch

In his book, When You Come To A Fork In The Road, Take It!, Yogi Berra relates a story about the importance of the bullpen. He writes, “When I later managed the Yankees, I surprised a lot of people by switching Dave Righetti-a starter who pitched a no-hitter in 1983-to the bullpen the next year because we didn’t have a bullpen. But we had to really sell it to Rags, because he had doubts. We told him it would be good for him and the team. To me, Rags is one of the truest team players.

Every organization needs team players. People can always depend on you. Like I say, you always have to make them feel good about themselves-even if it’s the bullpen mop-up guy-because they’re part of the backbone of your team. Bullpens are lifesavers. Without the bullpen, you’re sunk.” Yogi is right, your business or organization is dependant upon your bullpen and is sunk without it.

Every organization is dependant upon a strong bullpen to make its day-to-day operation a success. Strong leadership up and down the organizational structure that is filled with reliable, go-to players will set it apart with a competitive edge. The bullpen players share common characteristics and as Berra said, are the backbone of your team. Consider these three shared traits of the bullpen and the value they bring to your team.

In the bullpen are the starters. A starter in a baseball game is one of several select pitchers in the rotation assigned to begin the game. These talented players are an elite group who begin each game with the hopes of leading the team to victory.

As on the ball field, the pitcher has a supporting cast of players who work together to win the game. In your business those in the bullpen or trenches are your customer support staff, your sales team, and the administrative professionals who not only get things started but keep it running. This dedicated group of men and women are the starters who show up early and stay late. They are the starters each day who dedicate themselves to the success of your business and you would be sunk without them.

In the bullpen are the relievers. Inevitably in a baseball game the pitcher will get tired, or from a strategic standpoint the coach will call up a reliever from the bullpen. This is done to place the team in the best possible position to win the game. The reliever is the one with the fresh arm to reinforce what the starter has done.

How do you recognize the relievers in your company? Relievers are reinforcements who rally around the leadership and deliver in the good times and bad that which is needed to win. Who are the relievers? They are the encouragers, those who not only in words but in actions have bought into the vision and mission of the organization. Relievers are cool under pressure and bring focus to the team. With confidence they deliver the message that victory is within reach if you don’t give up. Relievers are the backbone of your organization and you would be sunk without them.

In the bullpen are closers. The job of the closer is to finish what the starter and reliever have done. He is the one that closes the deal by getting the final outs and protecting the lead. The closer allows you to finish strong.

Each member of your team has a role to play and contributions to make that only he or she can give. Closers in your organization know that it was by a team effort you arrived at this point and help put you over the top. They can be counted on when called upon and have only one goal in mind – to win.

Whether you are a starter, a reliever, or a closer- understand this; your team would be sunk with you. Are you ready to deliver?


© 2011 Doug Dickerson