The power of a 'thank you' note

Sadly, extended middle fingers, temper tantrums and mindless Twitter taunts are becoming more and more “par for the course” with today’s professional athletes. Couple stars who are seemingly less and less appreciative of their opportunity and more infatuated with themselves, along with rising ticket prices and other unseemly venue costs, and it’s no wonder fans feel less connected to their favorite teams and athletes. The business of pro sports is increasingly feeling that way as well: more business, less personal – regardless of how many UStream feeds or tweets we can follow.

It’s against this dreary backdrop that last week’s communication from Roy Halladay to the fans of Toronto stands in blinding contrast. Sometimes it’s a simple as saying ‘thank you.’

 

Halladay’s note is a Cy Young-caliber communications effort – and fans have taken notice. It’s more notable, because it was as unnecessary as it was unexpected. Halladay has spent his entire 15-year career with the Toronto organization – a rarity in modern sports. And while his departure for Philly may be viewed as “fleeing for greener pastures,” even the majority of Jays fans would concede that Doc has earned the opportunity.

Toronto’s ace and workhorse for more than a decade, Halladay has garnered 148 wins, six All-Star game appearances and one Cy Young award, without a single postseason appearance. He has however consistently been the team’s nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award (which recognizes the MLB player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team”) and has generously lent his support to other worthy causes (as well as $100,000 of his contract each year to the Jays Care Foundation).

 

Today, Halladay’s name is plastered all over the Web, and everywhere you look it’s linked to the word “class” or “classy.” It’s regrettable that athletes don’t find their names attached to those words more often, but perhaps they can take a cue from Roy Halladay. Sometimes, a simple communication can speak volumes. Across the broad spectrum and application of the term “public relations,” the power of a thoughtful ‘thank you’ is still undeniable. Thank you for the reminder, Doc.