Photo By Alun Thomas | Retired Major League Baseball pitcher Charles ‘Budd’ Schultz (center) talks to a...... read more read more
PHOENIX – Retired Major League Baseball pitcher Charles ‘Buddy’ Schultz spoke at the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion’s Annual Training Conference banquet, Dec. 8, at the Sheraton Grand, here.
Schultz, 68, was invited as the guest speaker for his unique story and experience within MLB, as a pitcher for the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals from 1975-79.
In addition to his four year stint in the majors, Schultz also holds the record for most strikeouts in a National College Athletic Association game, with 26 strikeouts for Miami University (Ohio) against Wright State in 1971.
Schultz spoke about the concept of respect and how it is earned, through both deed and accomplishment.
“It is also a combination of honor and admiration – it is not about title, money, fame or fear,” Schultz said. “It’s a personal opinion based on one’s own values.”
Schultz relayed a story to the recruiters present about watching the respect given to several Soldiers, a month after 9/11, while waiting for a flight to Cleveland.
“As I sat in the terminal waiting, I watched three Soldiers walk past me. The clapping started and soon everyone in the terminal was standing and applauding,” he said. “Those Americans wanted to let those Soldiers know how much they appreciated their service and how safe they felt in their care.”
Respect is also earned by being part of a team, Schultz said, which is made up of individuals with different skills and abilities.
“They are dependent on each other for success and rely on each other for support – in the end individual achievement only has value if the team wins,” he said.
Schultz used his experience striking out the record 26 batters as an example for this theory, telling a story of how even he was in jeopardy, despite his record-breaking accomplishment.
“On April 3rd, 1971, when I set the record for most strikeouts in an NCAA game, I was a junior for Miami of Ohio,” Schultz recalled. “I struck out the first 16 batters I faced. The 17th batter hit a fly ball to right field. Denny Smith, or right fielder, never moved. The ball landed five feet from him. When the inning was over I sat next to him and asked why he never tried to catch it. He replied ‘I wasn’t paying attention. After all you were striking everyone out.’”
“In the 9th Inning there was one out and two men on. Our head coach came to the mound. He said ‘I don’t care how many strikeouts you have. We have to win the game. If you let one more guy on, I’m taking you out,’” Schultz continued. “I told him I would take care of it. I struck out the next two batters, the game was over, we won 6-0 and a new record had been set.”
“When I think back now, the coach was right. Great players might have personal success, but there is real value in making the players around them better,” he explained.
After baseball, Schultz has earned a living through various businesses, including Most Valuable Promotions, which has provided marketing and publicity for such clients as Mobil Oil and Walt Disney.
Through this Schultz said he has had to master how to sell his product, something he directly related to Army recruiting.
“Recruiting is selling, both of yourself and your product. A first impression is the most important one. When I look out into the audience this evening and see all of you in dress uniform, it shows the integrity and honor that only comes when something is earned,” he said. “Your uniform provides you with credibility, but who you are and what you stand for gives you the edge you need to be successful.”
It is up to you to assemble the best Army ever, don’t waste your time on matters you can’t control, Schultz continued.
“Do not rest on your past achievements; you can always do better,” he said. “26 strikeouts in a game is the record – but there were 27 available.”
| Date Taken: | 12.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2018 14:48 |
| Story ID: | 303248 |
| Location: | PHOENIX, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 232 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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