Rewarding Good Sportsmanship

If you read my blog, you will recall my writings of June 3, 2010 called "Owning Your Actions" about umpire Jim Joyce, who blew a call that cost Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game, and upon review of the video, revealed that Umpire Joyce blew the call.

He apologized to Galarraga, who was extremely gracious in his acceptance of the apology.  Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said nothing will change regarding the outcome of the game, based on the rules of Major League Baseball.

My thought, in case you did not read my blog, is that both Jim Joyce and Armando Galarraga are heroes, the kind of sports figures  that we want to admire, and emulate in character... We can make honest mistakes, but upon doing so, we acknowledge them, apologize, and try harder in the future.

Okay, enter GM, who presents Galarraga with a luxury GM vehicle.  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/05corvette.html?th&emc=th

Now, the criticism begins.   Because GM had such financial problems that it was bailed out by the US Government, and is still indebted to the government, should spending  be allowed to give gifts or vehicles to certain peoples.

Hopefully, this link will bring you to the story about the gift to Galarraga and also the gifts to a woman who gave birth behind the wheel of a  Cheverolet Cobalt.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/05/business/05corvette.html?th&emc=th

In my mind, much of the problem with corporate America is that it is self absorbed.  This is reflected in the effort to make "the bottom line" pay off, make the best profit regardless of employee risk or product acceptability; reward its corporate executives at the expense of production, staff compensation, customer satisfaction etc.

Corporate America seemed to have abandoned any awareness of values and character traits such as honesty, graciousness, benevolence, generosity, kindness, fortitude.  The gratuities granted by GM recently may be great marketing tools, but they are bestowed upon people who exhibit some admirable character qualities. 

Do I want my government monies to be spent on honoring good character qualities.  If I did not, I would not have attended the Memorial Day Ceremony at the City of Lubbock Cemetery, honoring the veterans buried there.

What is the cost of recognizing good character?   I do not know.  If the gift from GM was truly magnanimous in regards to Galarraga's reaction to the the situation regarding the blown call, then  I say it was a wonderful investment in my country's character development...