Thursday, January 18, 2007
Class Act Cal Eldred
I got a chance to speak with Cal Eldred today. The former major leaguer has chosen to come back to Iowa after 14 seasons in the majors (after a medical issue of course). He spoke to the Cedar Rapids Executive Association this morning and I got a nice long chat with him after the meeting and speech. I even got to hold his Cardinals National League Championship Ring from 2004.
Anyway, enough with the name dropping.
His speech today wasn't about playing against such people as Don Mattingly, chumming it up with Chuck Knobloch or playing with Paul Molitor and Robin Yount...it was about choosing Iowa as his home and about his family.
Sure, he's originally from here...but here's a guy that could live in virtually any place in the world and make a comfortable existence for himself...and he chose Iowa.
I got a chance to "pitch" my idea to him. It was about how Iowa needs to really stop and think about how they're trying to attract young people to the state. Not by entertaining them with the latest venues, rainforests, games, puzzles, and other gizmos that require a lot of "investment" on behalf of the public...and a lot of political posturing. But by urging them to slow down with their lives and realize the true meaning of happiness. Being near family (even if they don't pay huge attention to you) and lowering your standards to something more manageable that allow you spend more time enjoying what you have.
I'd really love for the idea I have to develop into something Iowa actually does. I dunno. Maybe I should be the one to start it.
The Iowa Slow Down Coalition or something like that. Some type of organization that promotes Iowa in the way I think it could find a lot of success.
Some people I knew laughed at me when I returned to Iowa (partly because I had to), and they laughed and made fun of me when I left radio - saying I couldn't hack it and other such nonsense - but Cal made me feel real good about my decision today. Everyone needs a little encouragement when they take a risk like that. Maybe we DO need an organization that supports and motivates people when they do the same thing.
Anyway, enough with the name dropping.
His speech today wasn't about playing against such people as Don Mattingly, chumming it up with Chuck Knobloch or playing with Paul Molitor and Robin Yount...it was about choosing Iowa as his home and about his family.
Sure, he's originally from here...but here's a guy that could live in virtually any place in the world and make a comfortable existence for himself...and he chose Iowa.
I got a chance to "pitch" my idea to him. It was about how Iowa needs to really stop and think about how they're trying to attract young people to the state. Not by entertaining them with the latest venues, rainforests, games, puzzles, and other gizmos that require a lot of "investment" on behalf of the public...and a lot of political posturing. But by urging them to slow down with their lives and realize the true meaning of happiness. Being near family (even if they don't pay huge attention to you) and lowering your standards to something more manageable that allow you spend more time enjoying what you have.
I'd really love for the idea I have to develop into something Iowa actually does. I dunno. Maybe I should be the one to start it.
The Iowa Slow Down Coalition or something like that. Some type of organization that promotes Iowa in the way I think it could find a lot of success.
Some people I knew laughed at me when I returned to Iowa (partly because I had to), and they laughed and made fun of me when I left radio - saying I couldn't hack it and other such nonsense - but Cal made me feel real good about my decision today. Everyone needs a little encouragement when they take a risk like that. Maybe we DO need an organization that supports and motivates people when they do the same thing.
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