Between Innings - Acceptance

"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." - Annie Dillard

I used to think I had all the time in the world—plenty of innings left to make my mark, to build something meaningful, to enjoy life. Like most Gen Xers, I’d hear people say, “Life flies by,” and shrug it off. But here I am, realizing just how fast the years have moved. It’s surreal to think about retirement, to notice the little aches and breath-catching moments, to see classmates passing on. Life isn’t infinite, and I’m finally beginning to see it.

This idea of time slipping by has a funny way of putting things in perspective, whether in life, baseball, or business. We’re all trying to dodge our mortality in some way, filling our days with TikTok videos, vacations, the next work project, sports, or maybe a few drinks after a long day. But that constant chase and distraction can keep us from looking at the bigger picture. I’ve realized that running from reality only makes the race seem longer and the end even more jarring.

"Between Innings" is my newsletter connecting baseball and business in a real, raw, and unapologetic way. It's more than just insights—it's a pep talk, my inner dialogue as I navigate the struggles and triumphs. I'm sharing my perspective—what's worked for me, and what hasn't. It's about how my passion for the game has shaped me, the lessons I've carried into the business world, and the journey I'm still on. I'm aggressive, and I know that approach might not be for everyone, but it's authentic to me.

Acceptance—that’s the real lesson here. In baseball, you see it in every player who knows they’re not swinging for eternity. They learn to pace themselves, to play the game with intention, to embrace every moment, because they know they won’t always be at bat. And in business, too, there’s a point where you realize that the endless grind for profits, the “always-on” mentality, doesn’t mean anything if you aren’t playing with purpose. We get so caught up in the day-to-day, the noise and the numbers, that we lose track of why we even stepped up to the plate in the first place.

For me, that realization has come slowly but surely. I’ve always loved baseball—the pace, the camaraderie, the way each inning has its own life. But I’m seeing it with a new lens now. Baseball doesn’t pretend you can escape the limits of time. Instead, it teaches you to work within them, to understand that each inning matters, not because it’s endless, but because it’s finite. Each game, each moment, could be the last.

The same is true for business. Success isn’t about sprinting until we burn out, nor is it about endless meetings, metrics, or the next viral trend. Those things can distract us from the real game. The real aim is to create something lasting, meaningful—to make an impact while we’re still at the plate. Time is moving, and rather than dodging that reality, the key is to step up with purpose, with clarity. The distractions, the rush—they don’t hold the same appeal when you realize what’s truly at stake.

So here’s where I’m at: accepting that time isn’t waiting for any of us. It’s not a race to the finish but a reminder to make the innings we’re given truly count. It’s about stepping up, facing the pitch, and swinging with everything I’ve got. Because in the end, it’s not about how long we get to play—it’s about how well we played with the time we were given.