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Keller @ Large: Be Flexible Like Brock Holt

BOSTON (CBS) - I completely agree with my WBZ-TV colleague Dan Roche about the selection of Brock Holt of the Red Sox to the American League All-Star team.

As Dan puts it, he's "a natural" who plays every position except pitcher and catcher at a high level, and is one of the team's best hitters.

Holt was an obvious choice to be on the American League bench, but some people are surprised that a so-called "utilityman" can make the team. Even more are amazed that bigger so-called "stars" can't match Holt's flexibility and performance.

This suggests our workplace cultural values may have gone off the rails a bit.

Why wouldn't any profession put the highest value on the ability to perform diverse tasks well?

You may have noticed in your hometown that it's often the same core group of people who step forward to take on community responsibility, coaching youth sports and so on. What's that old saying: if you want something done, ask a busy person?

For those who see Holt's honor as an indictment of his one-dimensional peers, you're onto something.

Why shouldn't pro athletes, or even a lesser species like members of Congress, be expected to multi-task, and make themselves as useful as possible?

It's embarrassing when pitchers can't be bothered to learn how to swing a bat, or sluggers don't bother to work on their fielding. And we gag at the sight of politicians who can't find time to read over very important bills they vote on.

We want leaders who can go to their right or left as the situation demands, and at least get a glove on any problem that comes up, no matter what their position.

Considering who else is running, maybe Brock Holt for president isn't such a far-fetched idea.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.

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