The "Magic" of Knowing the Rules...and Always Looking Like You Know What You're Doing

If by now you haven't seen it, you're either not a Cubs fan (hello, South Siders) or a Pirates fan in denial. Cubs shortstop Javier Baez, "El Mago" ("the Magician"), literally stole first base in a play that nobody had ever seen, and perhaps which baseball never intended. The clip is below.

Watching this unfold reminded of two important lessons I've learned. First, you have to know the rules--and remember them under pressure. The Pirates' first baseman had an incredibly public brain cramp because he forgot the rules. Instead of running back to first, or tagging the runner, he did something totally unthinkable when the right outcome was literally standing in front of him. As a lawyer, I am often surprised when a matter comes before me and the other side is proposing a transaction that violates basic legal principles. I feel equal parts embarrassed and empowered as I explain what actually needs to be done. I've also litigated cases where just knowing the rules of procedure can give you an advantage. Some might decry things as "technicalities," but the rules exist for a reason, and if you are aware that a court can (or cannot) do something, and your adversary is not, you have an advantage.

The other lesson, which I learned in my first job managing a hot dog stand in high school (and college, and parts of law school), is to always look like you know what you're doing. If you're going to make a mistake, make it with confidence. Nothing makes people more uncomfortable than standing there, looking lost, with their hot dog in your hand because you can't remember if the customer said mustard, or no mustard. Javier Baez may not have known what he was doing, but he sure looked like he had a plan. And, by acting confidently, he practically spoke a positive result in existence. He put pressure on his opponent, who cracked. If he had hesitated, or acted unsure, he would not have been successful. We can't be afraid to fail, or to make mistakes. No lawyer is 100% correct every time--every case (that doesn't settle) has a winner and a loser. But, you have to advocate with confidence and resolve, even when the outcome is unsure, and even when you know your strategy might be shaky.

My last thought on that play...I really do feel badly for Will Craig, the Pirate first baseman who will live in infamy. But, he did all of us a favor. As Groucho Marx said, and as I'm fond of saying myself, "Try to learn from my mistakes. You'll never live long enough to make them all yourself."