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November 6, 2006
"Small Business Owners" Breakfast seminar hosted by Playaz
A cocaine-fueled, Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro captivated a seminar for small business owners, sponsored by the Playaz this past Wednesday at the Cobb Galleria.
Niekro, former knuckle-baller for the Atlanta Braves and keynote speaker, gave an impassioned speech following a doughnut and cocaine breakfast provided by the Playaz, urging the local business men and women in attendance to "crush their opponents" as a way to success.
The 318-game winner was highly animated, raising his voice often and frantically pounding his fists, during his address. He cited examples of his playing days with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves as metaphors that could translate into successful business strategies.
"I got beat," Niekro admitted to the audience. "I got beat a lot. But I never let that stop me from getting back up!" Niekro added, the veins in his temples beginning to bulge.
"If I got knocked down, I would say 'You know what? I'm going to keep coming at you until I win!' I remember pitching against Johnny Bench and he hit one of my knuckle balls for a grand slam that wound up costing me the game. But the next time I faced him, I put a fastball right in Johnny's temple and split his skull," said Niekro. "That taught Johnny Bench," he added angrily. "When I was going for that 300th win, I tried and failed 4 times before I won number 300. I was stuck on 299 for so long, I didn't think I'd ever make it. But I kept working, never let my attitude get me down, and I finally won when prior to the game I threatened to kill (Toronto Blue Jay) Jesse Barfield's family if he knocked in any runs that day. Then I beaned him, too."
>"Knucksie" demonstrates his fiery competitive demeanor to one youngster, threatening to smash her in the face with his baseball if she asked one more dumb question
Sweating profusely, Niekro's speech went on for over 4 hours, and ranged in topics from his stance on the designated hitter to his hatred towards the police.
"Phil Niekro was outstanding," the Playaz said afterward. "He was extremely motivating as we expected. Phil's advice on business and on life is perfect with his 'never-quit' attitude. It is the same philosophy the Playaz use towards their business dealings."
"Phil Niekro gave Atlanta business owners a tremendous message," one businessman said. "His advice is that of vengance, and I think it is the best strategy for today's business leaders."
Posted by Phil at November 6, 2006 8:37 AM
Comments
Nice. Phil Niekro was persistent, if nothing else. He was also way better at hiding emery boards than his brother.
Posted by: Hammer at November 6, 2006 11:41 AM
Niekro also had a terrific story about his father, who was, according to Phil, completely comatose and unresponsive prior to Phil winning his 300th game.
As I mentioned, he was stuck on 299 for a long time. His dad was at death's door. Phil debated about whether to leave his dad's side at the hospital to try and win number 300. It tore him apart. After weeks of no response, Phil said his dad moved for the first time, and scrawled "WIN HAPPY" on a piece of paper.
When Phil won his 300th, George Steibrenner had allowed his mother to listen to the game via telephone so she could relay the play by play to his dad at the hospital.
The way Phil built it up, you fully expected the tear-jerking ending "and dad passed away within minutes of my 300th victory" -- instead, his dad recovered completely and lived another 20 or so years. WTF?? Totally came out of nowhere....
That's what made Phil's speech so great...you never knew where he was going, or where he was coming from.
Posted by: Phil at November 6, 2006 4:51 PM
I'm surprised he had the emotion to give that speech so shortly after his brother Joe died.
And I'm also surprised that Joe would be the one eho went first. Joe Niekro seemes like the quiet more docile Niekro.
Posted by: Smokin Steve at November 6, 2006 4:55 PM
Steve - this breakfast actually occured prior to his brother's death (RIP, Joe). I know it says "Wednesday", but in reality it was Wednesday like, a month ago (thanks to my laziness to post the story).
Posted by: Phil at November 6, 2006 4:57 PM
Damn, I missed the speech! Were there any giveaways?
Yours in working every Wednesday (and Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday) for the forseeable future,
The Gal
Posted by: restaurant gal at November 6, 2006 9:42 PM
Yes, RG - I believe there was a gift certificate to Western Sizzlin, and one free financial analysis under the Playaz Business Model (for the small fee of $500).
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Posted by: Anonymous at May 28, 2007 4:39 AM
Phil Niekro is an idiot. If he had to bean Johnny Bench in order to say that he bested him after Bench connected with a grandslam to win a game, instead of throwing better and faster pitches, then Niekro has absolutely no integrity at all. No, I take that back...he's an imbecile. Phil, that means feeble intellect, mentally deficient, IQ ranging from 25
to 30!
Posted by: Gene "Buddy" Maxwell at June 26, 2007 9:00 PM
Take that back, Gene "Buddy" Maxwell.
Phil Niekro is a business genius - how dare you question his business accumen and superior gamesmanship! Just ask Johnny Bench!
Posted by: Phil at June 26, 2007 9:05 PM
Phil,
You choose your words wisely, i.e., "gamesmanship" instead of "sportsmanship." If Niekro had to resort to skuffing baseballs and brushback pitches to win games, he was no sportsman.
Gene "Buddy" Maxwell
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