Page 20 - Final Inspirational Women Issue

Inspirational Women

the Oakland A’s, I rethought my part of the agency filling a void this to Dave, he never doubted
response shortly after I hit send. that few agencies even realize that I could not only keep things
I asked a co-worker what he exists in Sports Management. going but that I would excel.” She
thought of my email to Dave, and In addition to the day-to-day of did this and more. She built their
from his response, Lonnie knew contracts and operations, Lonnie numbers of players and now has
she was in trouble. “There was a had a remarkable aptitude for 43 players both Major and Minor
good chance I was going to lose handling the people part of the leaguers on her roster. Of this
my job, so I went into my bosses business. “When I came onboard number 22 are Latin players who
office and started the conversa- I started to notice things that I have come to SMP due to their
tion by telling him how much I felt I could do better than other strong reputation of fair manage-
loved my job. I was just about people working for the agency. ment and loyalty to their players.
to explain what happened when It wasn’t about the business part “I can’t utilize my experience of
of her business; it was about the playing Major League baseball
people part. To most it is just the when I am recruiting a player be-
business of baseball, to me, it was cause obviously I have not played
the business of people.” This ap- the game, but I can get them in
proach quickly caused the agency front of a multitude of people who
to grow even greater because have.” This fact has never been a
there was a new understanding problem for Lonnie. “Many of the
of elements that were missing in Latin players that came here from
this field of representation and other countries are leaving their
Lonnie brought them to the fore- families for the very first time.
front. “Each one of my players They sign a Player Contract and
and their family become part of are often not even sure what they
my family. In addition to every have gotten themselves into.”
other aspect of the business, I Lonnie is not like any other
guess I sort of add the motherly Sports Agent, she often finds
touch. I am there for them to herself in a motherly role, helping
talk to about everything, not just players and their families navigate
the game. I also represent a lot their way through a system that
of Latin players that don’t even isn’t easy for our young American
speak the language. They are of- men, let alone many who don’t
ten signed very young and are not even speak the language. “When
necessarily trusting of our culture players from another country
and methods, so I provide the are signed by a Major League
much-needed level of trust they team, they often believe that
require to feel confident moving their next step will be wearing
forward in their careers.” that team uniform on TV, living
Lonnie spent eight years the glamorous life of the players
this same co-worker interrupted building Sports Management they have idolized while playing
our conversation and told me in Partners when her husband in their own countries. Many of
private that Dave had responded.” received the call up to become the them don’t realize that they will
To Lonnie’s relief, he did so with a General Manager of the Arizo- begin their career on the minor
sense of humor, and shortly after na Diamond Backs. “While he league level, often in small town
that, the two managed to find questioned what was going to locations spending long hours on
themselves in a relationship. happen with the agency, for me buses to other unknown towns to
Dave had started Sports Man- there was no question as to what play other minor league players.”
agement Partners a year before he would happen. I had been a Lonnie never sugar coats the long
and Lonnie met, and his agency partner for eight years, assumed journey any of her players have
was thriving, representing some a large percentage of responsibil- ahead of them when they sign
of the biggest names in base- ities already, and these were MY their contract. She is outspoken
ball. Lonnie became an integral kids. My guys! When I expressed and honest that this is not going

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