What Would I Say?

By Jack Furlong

Founder/President/CEO

Every season, the New York Yankees celebrate HOPE Week.  HOPE, which stands for Helping Others Persevere and Excel, was the brainchild of media relations director Jason Zillo; since its inception in 2009, the Yankees have honored plenty of people and organizations for their work while also donating money to various causes.  Players and coaches alike flock to the opportunity to participate in these events so much that other teams have asked the Yankees if they can hold their own HOPE Week.
 
I’ve always wondered if the Yankees would consider OSIP as a charitable organization that could be worthy of recognition in this program.  However, I’m at peace with the fact that our mission of good sportsmanship is probably not one that any professional sports team would honor because of how easy it might be to fall short of the standards and expectations set.  In other words, the Yankees might support our cause one day, but the next day might find a player ejected over an argument that is the complete antithesis of their recent pledge.  On the surface and without a deep dive into the intricacies of the potential relationship, it could be a public relations nightmare.
 
During HOPE Week in 2025, the Yankees had a day game on Thursday against the Angels.  I began to daydream about the possibility that the Yankees might hop on a bus after the game and travel from the Bronx to central New Jersey to come hang out at one of OSIP’s trivia nights.  In doing so, I began to ask myself one question:  what would I say to the Yankees if they actually came?
 
Well, beyond the wide-eyed awe of being in the presence of these athletes, and aside from the immense gratitude and desire to talk about hitting mechanics with someone like Aaron Judge, I allowed myself to follow through with this dream.  I wagered that the exercise would be therapeutic, like an opportunity to codify random thoughts that swirl in one’s head at the strangest times.  And I’m glad I did:  through this exercise, I was able to simply explain how to compete with good sportsmanship.
 
I imagine I would say the following:
 
-Part of good sportsmanship is always remembering how lucky you are to put on the uniform.  Every professional athlete has been given an opportunity that millions of people would kill to have.  Never forget that there is someone out there who wishes to be where you are now.
 
-Remember how to properly balance the elements of athletic competition with entertainment.  Also remember how to properly balance the elements of dedication, drive, and desire with fun.  Keep a smile on your face.  There is no bad break or tough call that cannot be overcome with a short memory and a jump right back into the game.
 
-There are always young and impressionable minds watching you, either in the stands or on television.  Lead by example.  Even if you disagree with something, there are appropriate ways to handle those disagreements in public so as not to set a bad precedent.
 
-When you act inappropriately, you are essentially telling anyone watching that it’s permissible to act that way.  There are kids and parents alike who think they can treat umpires like garbage because they see you do it.  There are teams who think that plunking hitters and causing benches to empty is just “part of the game.”  Do you have the courage to stand up to that and believe that it’s not?
 
-Play hard.  Leave it all out on the field.  Don’t settle for participation trophies.  But none of this should come at the expense of respect, especially of your opponents or officials.
 
-Every human on that field shares one common bond:  you are all in the same game of life together.
 
I have no idea if the Yankees (or if any professional sports team) would actually adopt my words.  They could easily fall on deaf ears.  But that doesn’t eliminate the need to say them.  OSIP will persevere and excel the more these words are spoken.