Purpose Over Paycheck

Last week, I had the privilege of helping the Ed Lucas Foundation as they hosted the annual David Cone Celebrity Golf Classic in New Jersey. For those unfamiliar, Ed Lucas was a legendary sportswriter who spent decades covering the New York Yankees. What made his story even more remarkable was that he did it all without sight. Ed was blind for most of his life, yet his passion for sports and storytelling never wavered. He proved that purpose can overcome any obstacle.

During the event, I was stationed at one of the holes, interviewing former big leaguers such as Roger Clemens and Orlando “El Duque” Hernández. While the star power was incredible, what stood out to me just as much were the everyday folks… non-celebrities who had purchased tickets to play alongside the legends.

I struck up conversations with several golfers throughout the day. At one point, I asked one gentleman what he did for a living. He told me he was the Vice President of a pharmaceutical company. Curious, I followed up with, “Do you enjoy it?” He chuckled and replied, “It pays well.”

That short exchange stuck with me. Because here’s the truth: no matter how much money you make, if your work doesn’t give you a sense of purpose, the paycheck alone won’t fill you.

Ed Lucas dedicated his life to inspiring others through his passion for baseball and storytelling. My own mission mirrors that - to use my platform to motivate, encourage, and help others discover the unique drive that makes life meaningful.

So, let me turn the question to you: What’s your passion? Are you pursuing something that lights you up and impacts others, or just collecting a paycheck?

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. 🙌