Drayton Clarifies His Work Ethic
I received an e-mail from Drayton McLane, Jr. yesterday. Drayton appreciated most of what I had to say in my column of last Friday, “A 1st Goodbye to Drayton McLane,” but he understandably wanted to take a swing at the legend of his work habits and expectations that I had dredged up for inclusion in my comments.
If you carefully read and fairly digest everything Drayton says here in a few well chosen words, it all makes perfect sense as a genuine correction of his legendary reputation as a boss whose shadow looms long and large over double-time work days at the ballpark. Those things aren’t always driven by some kind of central slavedriver. They may happen too because of one’s personal ethics, psychological needs, and something that rolls on wheels inside the heart of a person that takes its beat from a particular “love of the game” – and whatever the game happens to be.
As one who independently works long and crazy hours in behalf of those goals and projects that fire the passions of my own heart, what Drayton is talking about here makes perfect sense to me, but none of us see our own movements in this world quite as others do from the other side of our outer skin. Drayton deserves the space to speak for himself in this matter.
Here’s the message from Drayton McLane, Jr. to me of 11/22/2010. I am reprinting it here in the hope that it helps to better clarify Drayton’s personal relationship to work and his Astros administrative employees.
If nothing else, it certainly clarifies Drayton’s perspective on the issue of his work disposition:
Bill,
Thank you for the thoughtful blog. I must confess that I am guilty of an elevated work ethic, but I must clarify that it is exaggerated that I expect my employees to work 12-18 hours a day. During the season when there is a home game, they might come in around 9:30 a.m. and some of them stay until the game ends. They do this because they have a high work ethic, enjoy their job, and they take pride in customer service. That’s why we have very little turnover, and an overabundance of people trying to get their foot in the door. We have great people who truly care about the fan experience and they deserve the recognition.
Thanks as always for your support!
Drayton
Tags: Baseball, Drayton McLane, Houston Astros
The Pecan Park Eagle 
November 23, 2010 at 2:34 pm |
Drayton McLane is, by far, the best owner of a professional sports franchise in Houston history. He saved the team for Houston, spearheaded the construction of a wonderful ballpark, and has displayed loyalty to his employees and concern for the wellbeing and enjoyment of the fans. The fan base has increased dramatically, and it’s always a great pleasure to see a game at the stadium.
November 23, 2010 at 4:25 pm |
Sorry to disagree with both Bill and Anthony. It is not even a close race. The best Houston owner we have in this town by a Herculean margin is Les Alexander. He is smart enough to hire good basketball people and get out of their way. He never ran off the best general manager (in any sport) that Houstonians have ever had the pleasure of knowing as Drayton did. He was a huge fan long before he bought the team. He genuinely loves his sport for the sake of sport. And above all, he has never utered a phrase like “We finished second to St. Louis, and I think that’s pretty good”. Les may be a jerk personally, but he cares about putting a winning team on the court every year.
For a huge number of people, having a job in pro sports is a dream come true. They will do what it takes. They care. They study. They work long hours becuase they want to keep the job in pro sports.
November 23, 2010 at 4:37 pm |
Drayton has been good for Houston and our home town team. As for one grateful fan, I wish him well. In addition to consistently competitive teams and our first NL pennant, he was instrumental in preserving the ASTRO careers of Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio on their way to the Hall of Fame. Due in part to Drayton, these sports Icons will be remembered in the likes of Musial, Banks, Kaline, Yaz, Ripkin, etc. who played their entire careers for one team. Unfortunately, as the sun is setting on his ownership, Ed Wade has now destroyed that same opportunity with Roy O and Lance. It’s hard to believe we traded the faces of our post-Bags/Biggio franchise. They still belong here.
Mr. McLane: Thank you for many wonderful years. Best Wishes. As a final gesture of good will, could you trade Ed Wade before you sell?
Damon Leonetti
November 23, 2010 at 6:34 pm |
is he going out ?
November 24, 2010 at 2:44 pm |
I must disagree with Al. College basketball fans refer to the NBA as “No Basketball Allowed”. The presentation of the game itself, in the arena, is appalling: All sound and fury signifying nothing. The NBA owners, incluing Les Alexander, have turned the game into a sideshow. Perhaps they believe that this unrelenting noisome spectacle will take the fans minds off the outrageous ticket prices and a pointless regular season.