On Becoming Extraordinary: The Content and Structure of the Developmental Networks of Major League Baseball Hall of Famers

Abstract

We explore the structure and content of developmental networks depicted in 62 National Baseball Hall of Fame induction speeches to identify which developers and what support mattered most to inductees' career achievement. Our analysis illustrates two new support subfunctions (“freedom and opportunity for skill development” and “inspiration and motivation”) and shows that first-ballot inductees had larger, more diverse developmental networks featuring greater multiplexity and more single-function ties, plus greater supplementary psychosocial and complementary career support from a wider range of core and peripheral career communities, than later-ballot inductees. We conclude with a theoretical model of extraordinary career achievement.