A Love That Started Early
Some of my earliest memories are of dusty baseball fields in Guánica, Puerto Rico. As kids, we didn’t need much—just a ball, a bat, and a few eager teammates. From the very beginning, baseball captured my heart. It was more than just a sport; it was a way of life that taught me discipline, respect, and patience. I didn’t realize it back then, but those long afternoons under the Caribbean sun were shaping my future far beyond the outfield.
Now, as someone who’s worked in municipal finance, public administration, and business leadership, I can clearly see how baseball prepared me for everything that followed. The same values that helped me on the field became the ones I carried into boardrooms, government offices, and consulting work.
Leadership Doesn’t Shout—It Shows Up
When you’re a kid on a team, you quickly learn the difference between someone who talks big and someone who leads by example. Leadership in baseball doesn’t always come from the loudest player. It comes from the teammate who runs hard on every play, backs others up when they make mistakes, and keeps showing up, no matter what.
That’s the kind of leadership I’ve tried to bring into my professional life. When I served as the Director of Finance for the Municipality of Guayanilla, I didn’t just want to manage the numbers—I wanted to build trust and deliver results. Later, when I took on the role of President of RWM Consultants and RWM Real Property Inc., I knew I couldn’t lead with titles alone. I had to show up consistently, work with integrity, and lead by example.
Baseball taught me that leadership means doing the small things right, especially when no one is watching. That’s just as true in business. It’s not about controlling everything—it’s about being reliable, earning trust, and helping your team succeed.
Patience Wins More Games Than Power
One of the most frustrating—and beautiful—things about baseball is how long it takes. Unlike fast-paced sports, baseball forces you to slow down, think, and wait for the right moment. You can strike out three times and still win the game with one great hit. You can stand in the outfield for innings without a ball coming your way—then suddenly, you’re called on to make a game-saving catch.
That kind of patience is rare in today’s world, especially in business. Everyone wants quick results, fast growth, and instant gratification. But real success, especially in municipal finance and property consulting, takes time. It means building relationships, earning trust, and doing the groundwork long before you see the results.
I’ve had clients who didn’t see immediate change—but a year later, they were in a much better place because we stuck to a sound strategy. I’ve worked on projects that required months of planning before we saw any measurable outcome. Baseball taught me to stay calm, stay focused, and play the long game.
Every Role Matters
In baseball, there’s no such thing as an unimportant position. The outfielder who makes that one catch, the backup hitter who gets on base in the final inning, the catcher who guides the pitcher through a tough stretch—they all matter. You learn quickly that everyone contributes to the win.
I carried that mindset with me into public service and consulting. I’ve worked with municipalities where every person, from the budget clerk to the mayor, played a key role in the success of a project. When I look at a city’s finances, I don’t just look at numbers—I look at the people behind those numbers. I listen to everyone, because I know from baseball that the whole team wins or loses together.
Whether I’m training a new staff member or working with a seasoned official, I treat everyone with the same level of respect. Because just like in baseball, you never know who’s going to come through when it matters most.
Learning from Failure
Baseball also taught me how to deal with failure. No matter how good you are, you’re going to strike out. You’re going to lose games. You’re going to make mistakes. And when that happens, you don’t give up—you learn, adjust, and try again.
In business, setbacks are inevitable. I’ve seen projects stall, proposals rejected, and budgets that didn’t go according to plan. But those moments didn’t break me—they built me. Because I had already learned, from a young age, how to lose with grace and come back stronger.
That’s a lesson I carry with me every day. When things go wrong, I don’t panic. I go back to the basics, rely on my team, and stay patient until the next opportunity comes around.
Baseball as a Lifelong Teacher
Even now, baseball is still a part of my life. I might not play anymore, but I watch games, follow my favorite teams, and talk strategy with friends and family. It keeps me grounded and reminds me where I came from. The field may be behind me, but the lessons are still with me—in how I lead, how I serve, and how I live.
Baseball gave me more than just memories. It gave me the tools I needed to succeed in life and business. It taught me to lead with quiet strength, to be patient in the face of challenge, and to value every role on the team. Most of all, it reminded me that success isn’t always flashy. Sometimes, it’s just the result of showing up every day and giving your best.
That’s the kind of success I’ve always aimed for—and the kind I’ll keep chasing, one inning at a time.