E + R = O

Last week, I visited a middle school here in New Jersey to speak with students about leadership lessons I’ve learned and observed throughout my years in and around the game of baseball. One of the leaders I highlighted during the talk was Aaron Judge and what true leadership actually looks like.

Growing up, leadership is often confused with volume. The loudest player or the one with the biggest personality is frequently named captain. But at the professional level, and in life, leadership goes far beyond who speaks the most. While Aaron Judge is undeniably a generational talent, what stands out to me most isn’t just his ability on the field, but his character, consistency, and emotional discipline.

No matter the situation, Judge maintains a calm, steady presence. Whether he hits a walk-off home run or strikes out to end the game, his response is the same. He doesn’t overreact. He doesn’t allow a single moment (good or bad) to compromise him emotionally. As I shared with the students, that kind of emotional control makes it much harder for adversity to derail you or cause a downward spiral. When you stay composed, you stay in control.

That idea led into an equation my college professor, Dr. Rob Gilbert, emphasized often:

E + R = O

Event + Response = Outcome

We don’t always get to choose the event. Challenges, setbacks, and unexpected moments are part of life. But what we docontrol is our response. Too often, people experience an event and react immediately - sometimes emotionally, sometimes negatively - and that reaction creates an outcome they later regret.

Strong leaders pause. They respond with intention. They understand that their response has power. By choosing how we react, we give ourselves the best chance at producing a positive outcome, even when the situation isn’t ideal.

That’s the kind of leadership I hope the students took with them - not being the loudest voice in the room, but being the most steady when it matters most.

Thank you for checking out this edition of the Big League Perspective Newsletter! Be sure to share with a friend, teammate, or kid who may benefit! In the meantime, be sure to connect on social media @billythebatboy. 🙌