I’ll never forget watching the 2016 World Series, when the Chicago Cubs finally broke their 108-year curse. But here’s the thing—it wasn’t just their explosive offense that sealed the deal. It was pitching. Specifically, having enough reliable arms to survive a brutal seven-game series. That’s when it really hit me: attracting wealth works a lot like building a championship baseball team. You can’t just rely on one superstar hitter—or in financial terms, one single income stream—and hope for the best. You need depth, strategy, and the ability to adapt when things don’t go as planned. That’s what I want to talk about today: five proven strategies to attract wealth, inspired by the very principles that win short, high-stakes postseason series.
Let’s start with the idea that in short postseason series, pitching matters more than batting averages. Think about it—when every game counts, you can’t just lean on your big hitters and pray they deliver. You need pitchers who can shut down the other team, inning after inning. In the same way, building wealth isn’t just about landing one big paycheck or hitting a lucky stock. It’s about creating systems that consistently perform, even when the pressure is on. I learned this the hard way early in my career. I used to chase after “big wins”—flashy investments or side gigs that promised quick returns. Sometimes they paid off, but more often than not, they left me exposed when things went south. It’s like relying on a single home run hitter in a playoff game. Sure, they might knock one out of the park, but if the rest of the lineup can’t get on base, you’re still in trouble.
A healthy rotation is key in baseball—it lets a team throw its best three starters multiple times. For example, the 2021 Atlanta Braves rode the arms of Max Fried, Ian Anderson, and Charlie Morton all the way to a World Series title. They didn’t have the flashiest lineup, but their rotation stayed intact, and that made all the difference. In wealth-building, your “rotation” is your mix of income streams. I’ve found that having at least three reliable sources—maybe a day job, a rental property, and dividend stocks—creates a foundation that can weather almost any storm. Personally, I aim for 60% of my income from my primary career, 25% from investments, and 15% from side projects. It’s not perfect, but it gives me flexibility. When one stream dips—like during the market slump last year—the others keep me afloat. That’s the kind of stability that lets you sleep well at night.
But what happens when injuries strike? In baseball, a single injury can shuffle a club’s plans and swing a series. I still remember the 2019 playoffs when the Houston Astros lost their ace Justin Verlander for a critical game. They had to push other starters on short rest, and it showed. They lost momentum at the worst possible time. The same thing happens with money. An unexpected expense—a medical bill, a car repair, a job loss—can throw your entire financial plan into chaos if you’re not prepared. That’s why I always keep an emergency fund that covers at least six months of expenses. It’s my financial bullpen, ready to step in when life throws a curveball. Last year, when my freelance work dried up for two months, that fund saved me from dipping into long-term investments or taking on debt.
Teams like the Yankees or Mets, with their ability to eat innings using multiple starters, have a significant edge in the playoffs. They don’t just rely on one or two stars; they have depth. In wealth terms, that means diversifying not just where your money comes from, but where it goes. I’ve met so many people who pour everything into one bucket—usually their 401(k) or their home equity—and call it a day. But that’s like betting your entire season on one pitcher’s arm. Sooner or later, fatigue sets in. Instead, I spread my investments across real estate, index funds, and even a small business. It’s not about getting rich quick; it’s about building resilience. Over the past five years, that approach has helped me grow my net worth by roughly 8-10% annually, even during downturns.
And then there’s the bullpen—the relievers who come in to close out games. In the playoffs, a deep bullpen can be the difference between winning and losing. Think of the 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers, who used a mix of elite closers and setup men to secure tight games. In your financial life, your “bullpen” is your short-term liquidity—cash savings, money market accounts, or even credit lines you can tap when opportunities or emergencies arise. I keep about 10-15% of my portfolio in highly liquid assets. That way, if a great investment pops up—like a dip in the stock market or a chance to buy into a startup—I don’t have to sell other assets at a loss to jump on it. It’s like having a lockdown reliever ready for the ninth inning.
So, what’s the takeaway? Building wealth isn’t a home run derby. It’s a well-pitched game where consistency, depth, and adaptability reign supreme. Just like in baseball, you need a game plan that accounts for injuries, leverages your strengths, and doesn’t put all your hopes on one superstar. Start by evaluating your own “rotation” of income streams. Do you have enough depth? Is your bullpen—your emergency fund—ready to perform? From there, focus on incremental growth rather than swinging for the fences every time. I’ve seen too many people burn out chasing lottery-ticket opportunities while ignoring the steady, boring strategies that actually build lasting wealth. Trust me, I’ve been there. But once I shifted my mindset from hitting home runs to pitching complete games, everything changed. And if I can do it, so can you. Your fortune isn’t just coming—it’s already on the mound, waiting for you to call the right plays.
