personality question

Interesting question.

Just as there are many successful coaches/managers with type A personalities in this game there are many players with those personalities as well. I definetly feel there is a connection between a certain personality and success (not just sports).

Do you have to have it (type A) to succeed, no.

My opinion is that there are some personalities better suited for certain positions. I think that players that posses type A personalities usually succeed at a much higher level than those that don't. Type A players usually never stop working at improving their game even when they are the best at it. I think that is why they succeed, they rarely are happy with their performance, there is a constant need to make it better, they don't accept mediocrity.

What it comes down to, having the tools and skills outways anything. On the D1 level, I think that good coaches look for all types to make up the chemistry of the team needed to succeed. My understanding is that this is an important component of a winning college team.

The biggest part of the draft is finding the talent and then developing it, though makeup does play into it, I am not sure after the big money rounds that it matters.

It is an interesting question.

I will throw out another angle. Stubbornness. Others might use slightly more flattering terms like 'resiliency' or 'perseverance.' But I say this trait boils down to stubbornness.

So many people will tell you you aren't (quite) good enough. There will be injuries. Your friends and family may question whether its all worth it. There will be difficult coaches and teammates who may temporarily beat you out for a role.

Of course there's the flip side of being so stubborn that you cannot accept helpful criticism.

But stubbornly believing in yourself is something a player just has to have IMO.

I went with what the OP asked about being a type A personality to succeed.
Perhaps being stubborn is one of those traits?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T...B_personality_theory

I don't think it matters.

quote:

Originally posted by TPM:
I went with what the OP asked about being a type A personality to succeed.

You're right. I can't read with my aging eyes.

quote:

Originally posted by AntzDad:
I don't think it matters.

You don't think what matters?

Type A or Type B.

You might be right? But at least as of about 5 years ago MLB teams were still giving personality tests. Somehow they must have thought (think?) that something about it matters.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
at least as of about 5 years ago MLB teams were still giving personality tests.

What were they trying to figure out? Personality, to me, is way more than one's 'type'.

The answer to "If you found someone's money on the ground, would you keep it or turn it in?" says a lot about one's personality, but nothing with regard to types a or b.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
You might be right? But at least as of about 5 years ago MLB teams were still giving personality tests. Somehow they must have thought (think?) that something about it matters.

Good point I forgot about that, but does it really matter unless you are going to give someone 15m or 100K?

I find this interesting as we had a discussion with son about clubhouse personalities and from what I gather LOTS of players are much more A types than B. Perhaps AB with more dominant A. One thing is for sure, in this game, you do have to be a bit borderline crazy to survive.

And son's former coach told me once that if you have too many dominant personalities in the locker room you don't usually get much done.

And as far as being stubborn, he will break you until you do it his way!!!!

quote:

I find this interesting as we had a discussion with son about clubhouse personalities and from what I gather LOTS of players are much more A types than B. Perhaps AB with more dominant A. One thing is for sure, in this game, you do have to be a bit borderline crazy to survive.

That would be the same as what I've heard and seen. All of it.

quote:

What were they trying to figure out? Personality, to me, is way more than one's 'type'.

I think there are others here who could probably answer that directly if they want to.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:

quote:

I find this interesting as we had a discussion with son about clubhouse personalities and from what I gather LOTS of players are much more A types than B. Perhaps AB with more dominant A. One thing is for sure, in this game, you do have to be a bit borderline crazy to survive.

That would be the same as what I've heard and seen. All of it.

I am with ya for sure, even a few crazy ones at Clemson as well!

Very interesting topic.

Persistance or stubborness as justbaseball posted is very important IMO.

I do think there are certain personality traits that seem common among successful baseball players. However, regarding type A-B, I know several who have been very successful that would be considered type B. Also know, probably even more, that would be considered type A. IMO there can be advantages for both.

Both types are capable of working hard, being persistent, and making adjustments. In fact, both types can even be thrill seekers. Maybe the biggest difference involves how they react to things.

Maybe a calm, cool, collected type A would be the best. Is that even possible? In appearance?

Can a type B be as competitive? I'm not sure, but the ability to relax and shake things off can sure aid in competition.

quote:

Originally posted by bothsportsdad:
I was watching an ESPN segment on Tiger Woods this morning and the question came to my mind about what personality type you need to "make it"... now for purposes of my discussion I am going to define making it playing and contributing at the D1 level with a possibility of being drafted. This assumes the physical talent is there of course. So, do you have to posses a type A personality?

NO. Personality profiling is a whole lot more complicated than type A or type B which I don't believe anyone uses any more as most define a minimum base of four types with all kinds of over laps.

Certainly I look for certain differing traits for a Salesmen versus an accountant or airline pilot. But to think that only specific personality traits lead to athletic success is probably not going to have much supporting evidence. I believe from stories I've read and film clips I've seen that Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig were just about as far opposite as any two could be.. as are personalities on any College team.

Three levels to this...

Craft development...WE all know that in order to develop a craft you have to be able to be dogged, persistent, disciplined and faithful to the craft. The problem however with saying that that type of persoanlity is the best for is that some are more naturally gifted than others, so the specific personality skills that go into craft development may not be as important to some as they are to others.

Execution...one you have developed the craft...You have to be ale to find a way to execute, and execute under pressure...that may be an entirely dfferent animal than that needed for the development of the skills...and that may come in many personality forms...some play better as Type A's...some more cognitive. In individual sports the proof is in the execution, and from a personality standpoint there are a bunch of emotional and cognitive ways to make a skill set "sing".

..but the REAL wild card is that in order to succeed in any team sport you need to be able to convince the decision makers (those with the power) that you have the right personality. They have to believe in you and your mental skill set. The problem of coure is that is subjective rather than objective. Unless you are statistically so far over the bubble that you cannot be denied, then you are going to be caught up in the personal bias of those with the power to play, sit or promote you...in great part based upon wether they think you have the right personality type. That process includes those personality tests given at college camps and by MLB organizations.

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Type A, type B, they're all well and good. No question. We can talk about them 'til the bovines wander back to their abode. But what about us, the type C? Never any discussion of our drive, our substantial contribution. Earning a "C" is not easy. You have to be on top of your game to be labeled as a C. Clogging. Confusing. It isn't nearly as easy as all of you A and B types might think.

To clog and confuse. "Gosh, I don't remember.
Did I throw my Kangol© cap down the toilet...again?"

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Given the competitiveness of sports I'd say most are Type A. You can't always tell who the Type A's are by their outward demeanor. Some people appear loose on the outside and on fire inside. There are some non Type A's who just have too much talent to fail or it takes them longer to fail.

You also have the "switch flippers" - the people who are calm / cool / relaxed before the game / practice / competition and then when it's ready for action they get into game mode just like that.

Would these people be considered a mixture of A and B personalities? I'm a "switch flipper" and alsways have been. It's actually something I have to overcome when I coach because I have to remember some kids need to get mentally prepared over a period of time before the action.

While A/B personality types may form an initial "trend" towards the "A's" I think that with all the foreign born players in all levels of professional baseball those physiological profile categories are as irrelevant as the pre-draft question often asked about a players parents athletic lineage. The type A Dominican may be a Type B when they come to the US. Besides talent, IMHO, the question is do you have a competitive soul.

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"I'm a 'switch flipper' and alsways have been."

I was totally in the dark as to what to get you for Christmas coach.

Your statement was very illuminating...thanks!






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Type 1's have been found to succeed more often. 2nd rounders also have a decent track record.

Way too early to worry about it but there are already sports radio types saying that Carl Crawford cares too much and is struggling because of it.

quote:

Originally posted by justbaseball:
It is an interesting question.

I will throw out another angle. Stubbornness. Others might use slightly more flattering terms like 'resiliency' or 'perseverance.' But I say this trait boils down to stubbornness.

So many people will tell you you aren't (quite) good enough. There will be injuries. Your friends and family may question whether its all worth it. There will be difficult coaches and teammates who may temporarily beat you out for a role.

Of course there's the flip side of being so stubborn that you cannot accept helpful criticism.

But stubbornly believing in yourself is something a player just has to have IMO.

Interesting question and response.

I don't know if my son is type A or B. I know he is kind of the happy-go-lucky sort who doesn't let things get to him "too" badly. I like metaphors and sometimes you just have to ride the storm out.

Ridin' The Storm Out

When you were in high school how many times were you told "success isnt going to come handed to you on a silver platter" as you grew older how many times did you say to yourself "they were right"

Many sports sucess people may be portrayed as the nice guy. Behind closed doors they have the incredible drive to succeed which may mean underlying stubborness, greed sometimes a borderline mean streak, to succeed at their craft.
They do anthing they can to get the edge over competition, drinks, medications, fitness, anything they have to.
I say yes, not just type A but obsessed with your sport and greedy about your potential success.
Just my opinion.

For some kids its a personality that doesnt get in their way that allows them to have success. For others its their personality that allows them to overcome the odds. Some are even keel and mechanical in their approach. Some are intense. There is not one kind of personality imo. I think there are many who are just really talented who work hard and have success. There are others who are talented but have a burning desire to overcome what talents they naturally do not have. It takes all kinds in this game.

Saw an interview with Johnny Bench one time and they asked him about the kids he used to play with...which ones made it and which ones didn't. He said that it was not the best players that made it, it was the ones who would never give up.

quote:

Originally posted by gotwood4sale:
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"I'm a 'switch flipper' and alsways have been."

I was totally in the dark as to what to get you for Christmas coach.

Your statement was very illuminating...thanks!






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I tell you what Woody that is an aweful nice thing to do. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. I was thinking of getting you a picture book for Christmas so you can find some pictures to post on here.

Not sure this one can be answered. Consider football, Lawrence Taylor and Troy Polumalu both were/are considered top performers. I doubt they have much in common personality wise.

quote:

You also have the "switch flippers"

Although we're so far away from college, I can't credibly contribute to this thread, I love this description. It describes my boy perfectly. He never ceases to surprise me with how difficult it can be to get him out of bed for an early weekend morning practice, only to see him "light it up" once he gets to the field or in the facility.

As for personality traits, I believe some base-level of "driven-ness" seems essential regardless of whether the player's an alpha or a beta. I believe being driven is not incompatible with type B's, they just express that drive differently than a type A would.

Interesting. A strong work ethic definately matters, as does a competitive nature, at the college level.

At the MLB level, however, all are competitive, hard workers. When my son was playing, I often wondered if teammates that also tended to be risk takers, loved the spotlight, and thrived on action had an extra edge. The whole MLB atmosphere seemed to bring out the best in them.

Competitive personality. A competitive person is persistent, stubborn has a good work ethic. If you want to win, you will work your tail off.

quote:

Originally posted by TxMom:
When my son was playing, I often wondered if teammates that tended to be risk takers, loved the spotlight, and thrived on action had an extra edge.

I think that best describes many in a ML clubhouse.