SORRY CHARLIE: CUMMINGS’ MEA CULPA
By Bradford Cummings
Yesterday, an online story quoted Charles Hayward lamenting his difficult 60 days traveling back and forth to Albany, trying to get a $25 million cash infusion from the state of New York. The comments came off as flippant and out-of-touch. I still maintain they were. But in a brash and overly convenient comparison, I aligned his name with Tony Hayward of BP who recently said "I’d like my life back" in regards to the oil spill that has ruined the Gulf Coast.
As I write these words, I realize how over the top that sounds. To even hint at a comparison between the Gulf Coast oil spill and the woes of horse racing is below the belt and uncalled for. I assure every reader of the Paulick Report my only intention was to point out that this may not be the time for the executive of the NYRA to talk about his vacation home or how hard his job is when many in our industry are being laid off or having salaries cut. Anyone who knows me knows I speak my mind honestly. In this case, I overplayed the hand in a serious and regrettable way.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Hayward at Pimlico on Preakness Day and he was nothing but pleasant to me. He doesn’t deserve this comparison and I publicly apologize to him. I will do the same in person when I have the opportunity to do so..
One great lesson in all of this is the power of our audience. You spoke and we listened. You made us better today. As someone who has put his heart and soul into the Paulick Report over the last two years, I want to say how much I appreciate your comments, as harsh as they have been. I try hard to be a stand-up guy and part of that is admitting when you’ve made a mistake.
I made a mistake. I was out of line and I’ve learned a great deal from this. I hope our readers will respect this mea culpa and judge me on the previous two years and not the ill-advised story I wrote today.
The great irony is that in an effort to point out a public relations faux pas, I wrote an 842-word faux pas of my own.
Tags: bradford cummings, charles hayward, New York, nyra, Paulick Report, Preakness Day
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:07 pm
Thank You Brad. What a great example! Imagine an industry where media people who make mistakes, admit them, and do something about them with as much gusto as you have done today …
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:56 pm
Nor many would admit the mistake Brad. They would just hope it was cycled out with the rest of the day’s “news.” Good for you! Really.
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
First it was Rand Paul attacking Republicans like yourself as a comparison to Magna and the way they approach racing.
Second it was comparing the Gulf Coast Oil Disaster with NYRA being broke and needing money.
Does your apology and new found wisdom mean that you have shelved a comparison between the Iraq and Afghanistan wars to the fight for the jockey and trainer’s titles at Saratoga?
June 4th, 2010 at 5:25 am
Well done Brad. We all make mistakes and a public apology so well written is appreciated by me.
June 4th, 2010 at 6:33 am
Brad, everyone has made glib or hasty comments at one tine or another. It’s refreshing to hear to hear someone say, I was wrong and I am sorry. Apology Accepted.
June 4th, 2010 at 10:03 am
Stay gold, Pony Boy. Your apology was proportionally greater than your offense.
June 4th, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Brad,
Takes a big person to admit when they’re wrong, especially in a public forum. In fact, I see a parallel between you and umpire Jim Joyce, but I’ll leave it at that
BTW, you should read Tom Bosewell’s column in today’s Washington Post about making mistakes. To paraphrase: everyone makes mistakes, but it’s what you do afterwards that makes the biggest difference. He also offered a great quote from James Joyce: “A man’s errors are his portals of discovery.” Wise words indeed.
June 5th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Those of us who are perfect thoroughly resent this apology, Brad.
You’re making it difficult for us to carry on business as usual!
Seriously, good show. Even if there’s leeway & an honest opinion supported your previous editorial, better we get this out of the way/resolved with grace.
C.H. has always amazed me. How could such an even-keeled, diplomatic & perceptive person been selected to run an organization whose management otherwise has been so consistently undistinguished & at times, so remarkably incompetent? And how it possible for him to last this long in such an environment?
An example: I had an opportunity to speak with him, spontaneously, at Belmont a year or two ago. He was patient, answered questions candidly, & it was obvious that if approached politely, all comers were equally valued customers.
Unfortunately, he was accompanied by one of his minor NYRA executives - someone who never should have been given an interview years ago, much less promoted (surely there must be a garret somewhere in the Aqueduct plant where he can be stored -preferably sideways - six months during the year, during the warm months).
Obsequious to his formal superiors, & petulantly disdainful of those without perceived rank, he was all too irritating a reminder of a young Japanese executive who was an meddling escort to his gracious, wiser Gulfstream Park superior, at that track in the early 1990s.
NYRA Jr.’s body language (insulting) was obvious: “This guy’s not an owner - just one of the nobodies, the faceless people who don’t matter. Why is Charlie wasting his time with him?”
His numerous indirect hints to Hayward that time was valuable, business was pressing, etc., were ignored. He finally took off in a minor huff, walking back into the main building - oblivious that day & forever to Hayward’s example of how to run a business by listening carefully to the customers.
Charles, if you’re reading this, again, thank you.