I read an article recently about the 1969 New York Mets and one of their unheralded heroes. In the early 1960s the Mets were simply a terrible team, unable to win even half of their games. But in 1968, they elevated Johnny Murphy as their General Manager, and things took off, leading to the miracle championship of 1969.

What was the secret of Johnny Murphy’s success? According to Dave Kaplan of the Yogi Berra Museum, there were four elements: he had a plan; he hired a great manager; he did his homework; and he didn’t worry about his image. 

What great lessons for any business.

First things first – you need plan. How will you get to where you want to go without a map? Murphy’s plan for the Mets was to focus on the farm system, and he developed one of the all-time great pitching staffs. Businesses, too, need to develop their players. Are you committed to your employees? Are you providing adequate training? Is there opportunity for growth? 

Second for Murphy was hiring a great manager, Gil Hodges.  At the time, Hodges was under contract to the Washington Senators. But Murphy was willing to pay a steep sum to the Senators to get the man he wanted – he bought Hodges contract for $100,000. Is your business willing to make the investment necessary to hire the right people? While the price for Hodges might have seemed steep in 1969, in the end, the investment was worth every penny.

Third was to do your homework. A practitioner of Moneyball before that term was coined, Murphy was famous for his study and preparation, which enabled him to sign players others had undervalued. Famously, Murphy acquired Tommie Agee, whose spectacular play in centerfield led directly to the Met’s World Series victory. In any business, there is no substitute for doing your homework. Do you “wing it” too often? Or do you take the time to prepare for every meeting, every phone call? It is important to be intuitive and nimble, but those traits will be even more valuable when you have taken the time to prepare.

Finally, Murphy was not focused on a flashy image. He was cordial and unassuming, which helped him develop a reputation for fairness. Murphy parlayed that reputation into favorable deals. Players were attracted to his sincerity and honesty, and signed with the Mets for less money because they felt comfortable working with a man they knew was solid . Business is the same way. Quality customers and partners are attracted to people with substance far more than those with flash. And these are people with whom you can build your business for today — and tomorrow.

Sadly, Johnny Murphy passed away shortly after the Mets won their championship in 1969. The Mets fortunes have been spotty in the fifty years since. No doubt they would have achieved more if they had taken Murphy’s lessons to heart. 

Shouldn’t you do the same for your business?