In this episode of Durable Value, Joe interviews Ed Sprague Jr., the Director of Baseball Operations for the Oakland Athletics. They discuss Ed's impressive career, starting from his achievements in college baseball and the Olympics to his successful stint in Major League Baseball. Ed shares insights into what it takes to be a consistent winner and how losing can drive an athlete to perform better. They also talk about Ed's transition from being a player to a coach and later to an administrator. Ed elaborates on his experiences at the University of the Pacific, where he helped elevate the baseball program and oversaw major developments including fundraising for a new stadium. The conversation moves to Ed's current role with the Oakland A's, detailing his responsibilities in player development across various minor league teams. They talk about the innovative approaches the A's are taking, such as integrating biomechanics and analytics into player development. They conclude with Ed's reflections on the challenges faced by the Oakland A's in securing a new stadium and the potential relocation to Las Vegas. Ed offers valuable advice to young people and business professionals on the importance of hard work, learning from failures, surrounding oneself with a supportive network, and maintaining a shared vision to achieve success. 

Timestamps: 

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 

00:50 Ed Sprague's Winning Career 

01:10 College and Olympic Baseball Journey 

04:28 Professional Baseball Highlights 

05:33 Transition to Coaching and Leadership 

06:13 Building a College Baseball Program 

09:38 Role with the Oakland A's 

13:40 Innovations in Player Development 

21:12 Future of the Oakland A's 

23:37 Advice for Young People and Closing Remarks