Lee — Always in the cards — thanks to wife’s PR knowledge

Below is an excerpt of David Hale’s story in the Dec. 16, 2010 “Courier-Post.”

In it, Cliff Lee’s wife, Kristin, made use of a popular strategic communication tactic depended on by many strategic communicators: The “Force Field (Conflict) Analysis” – (see it in Chapter 15 of “The Public Relations Practitioner’s Playbook). If it weren’t for that “Force Field,” there is a good chance Lee would be a Ranger – or worse – a dreaded Yankee.

Here is the excerpt [Scroll down below picture].

For Hale’s full story, go to the “Courier-Post” website. It carries the full story of Lee’s return to Philadelphia.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20101216/SPORTS01/12160329/ALWAYS-IN-THE-CARDS. [Scroll down below picture]

[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]

PHILADELPHIA — There’s a scrap of paper sitting on the kitchen counter in Cliff and Kristin Lee’s house in Arkansas, a scrap that Kristin nearly threw away before leaving for Philadelphia, where her husband was officially announced as the newest member of the Phillies’ starting rotation Wednesday.

Before the paper reached the trash, however, Kristin realized just how important the words on it were. She knew that piece of paper might have been the turning point that led her husband to come back to Philadelphia, to come back to a place they both longed to call home once again.

Of course, that scrap of paper is just part of the story — and the twisted tale of Cliff Lee’s return to the Phillies was filled with more than its share of twists and turns.

Still, it took that scrap of paper to provide the final push.

The night before, when the negotiations still looked bleak, Kristin Lee had trouble sleeping. She knew she wanted Cliff to sign with the Phillies, but she also knew the money wasn’t close to what the Yankees or Rangers had offered.

So when she woke up, she grabbed a piece of paper and began to write. She drew out three columns — one each for reasons to sign with the Phillies, the Yankees and the Rangers. By the time she was done writing, the Phillies’ column dwarfed the other two.

“That morning I was thinking of all those things that were so great about this place, so when we’re trying to figure out what to do I wanted to be able to say, “Hey Cliff, we can’t forget these things,’ ” she said.

Once the deal was done, it didn’t take long before the Lees were reminded all over again of how much they loved Philadelphia.

Flying into the airport, the city was lit up and Kristin Lee was thrilled to be home. At the airport and at dinner, fans came and congratulated the couple on returning to Philadelphia.

It was a most unlikely outcome, but it was the perfect ending for Lee.

“It’s been a whirlwind couple of years for me, and it’s been a fun ride,” Lee said.

“This offseason has been full of unknowns, but it feels great to land back here in Philadelphia.”

Again, full story: http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20101216/SPORTS01/12160329/ALWAYS-IN-THE-CARDS

[To comment: larry@larrylitwin.com]