Don't Be Good – Be Great
Explicit content warning
05/12/20 • 44 min
4 Listeners
Michael revisits his high school days in New Orleans to tell the story of Billy Fitzgerald, the baseball coach who changed his life; and makes the case for the old-school, tough- love coaching that many parents find hard to take these days.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Michael revisits his high school days in New Orleans to tell the story of Billy Fitzgerald, the baseball coach who changed his life; and makes the case for the old-school, tough- love coaching that many parents find hard to take these days.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Previous Episode
Against the Rules Presents: Michael Lewis in Conversation with Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg
1 RecommendationsMichael Lewis interviews the Co-Founders of Pushkin Industries, Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg, as part of Dell Technologies Small Business Podference, Hear what it's like to start a business with a close friend and how Pushkin Industries is navigating the COVID-19 crisis.
Find more episodes from the Small Business Podference at https://delltechnologiespodference.com/.
Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Next Episode
The Coach in Your Head
1 RecommendationsJust about anyone today can call themselves a coach. Michael traces this trend back to its source and finds out that the secret to effective coaching lies not in retraining the body, but the mind.
- We meet the original guru of “the inner game”: Timothy Gallwey, author of the 1974 classic, “The Inner Game of Tennis.”
- We find out how mental skills coaches only need one coaching toolkit to work with everyone from New York City firefighters, youth softball players, professional musicians, and even writers with a podcast.
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Against the Rules with Michael Lewis - Don't Be Good – Be Great
Transcript Summary
In this episode titled "Don't Be Good - Be Great," we delve into the inspiring stories of Coach Fitz and Harold Silvester, two individuals who defied odds and made a lasting impact. Coach Fitz prioritized hard work over partying and pushed his players to be great, leading to controversy with parents. Meanwhile, Harold Silvester broke barriers as a basketball star in segregated New Orleans and later integrated college basketball. These stories highlight the importance of determination, bravery, and the pursuit of greatness. Join us as we explore the intense challenges faced by these individuals and the lasting impact they had on those around them.
Transcript
Pushkin early nineteen sixty five, Harold Silvester was a sixteen year old basketball star in a segregated New Orleans school system. He played for Saint Augustine High School. They were the best high school basketball team in Louisiana, at least the best in the league for black kids. They never faced the white kids, so no one can actually say who was the best. But the priests who ran Saint Ogg were pushing for integration. They wanted to challen
Don't Be Good – Be Great Top Questions Answered
How did Coach Fitzgerald empower his players during a game?
Coach Fitzgerald empowered his players during a game by instilling a sense of bravery and identity in them.
What inspired Coach Fitzgerald to smash a second-place trophy?
Coach Fitzgerald smashed a second-place trophy to inspire his team to strive for first place and push themselves harder.
How did the broken trophy become a symbol of determination for the team?
The broken trophy became a symbol of determination for the team as they used it as motivation to work towards winning multiple championships.
Why did some players leave the team because of Coach Fitzgerald's intensity?
Some players left the team because they found Coach Fitzgerald's intensity overwhelming and chose to pursue other paths.
How did the situation with underage drinking and misconduct affect the team despite winning a championship?
Despite winning a championship, the team faced internal issues with underage drinking and misconduct, leading to their unity falling apart.
What does the podcast episode discuss regarding the role of coaches and the influence of money?
The podcast episode raises questions about the role of coaches and the influence of money in decision-making, highlighting their impact on sports and athletes.
How did Coach Fitz motivate Jeremy Blish to work hard and strive for college baseball?
Coach Fitz motivated Jeremy Blish by teaching him the importance of hard work, leading to his success and becoming a first-round draft pick for college baseball.
What challenges did Coach Fitz face from parents regarding his coaching methods?
Coach Fitz faced backlash from parents who complained about his coaching methods, leading some to even attempt to get him fired by going to higher authorities.
What significant event in Louisiana's high school basketball history does the episode mention?
The episode mentions a significant event in Louisiana's high school basketball history, where an integrated game between black and white teams sparked protests from white parents.
Who did Harold Silvester become teammates with at Tulane University?
Harold Silvester became teammates with Billy Fitzgerald, the white player who initially guarded him during the integrated game, at Tulane University.
Show more Questions
Show more Questions
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/against-the-rules-with-michael-lewis-11531/dont-be-good-be-great-10977071"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to don't be good – be great on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy