Making the Most of Your Talent

Last night, one of the good guys of sports, Jim Thome, hit his 600th home run.  To put it in perspective, he is the 8th major league player to do so.  He has been a consistent player for 21 years.  Not extraordinary, but a sure lock for the Hall of Fame given his steady performance throughout his career.

Thome spent 12 years with Cleveland before coming to Philadelphia in 2003.  He was the first free agent signing of note and was at the forefront of the current success of the Phillies.  He was traded to the White Sox to make room for Ryan Howard after the 2005 season.  He hit nearly 100 home runs in a Phillies uniform, but more importantly, brought the franchise out of its malaise and made other free agents look seriously at coming to Philadelphia.  He brought life to the Phillies and help usher in Citizen's Bank Park in 2004.  He has had a positive impact on every team he's played for-both on and off the field. 

Not many of us will have a chance to hit 600 home runs, but we can make a positive impact on our own teams.  Like Thome, play to win, hustle every day, give 100%, and perform as if it's your last opportunity.  It seems to me the best role models are those who make the most of their talent.  They work hard to hone their skills and don't take their success for granted.  Thome's legacy may be this:  a good guy with talent that worked hard and made others more successful.  I, for one, wouldn't mind that as an epitaph on my tombstone some day.