Throwback Thursday: Retailers go to Bat
The Aug. 31, 1992 issue of National Home Center News, the forerunner of HBSDealer, covered a softball clash of home center rivals Home Depot and HomeBase under the headline: “’Home’ teams go to bat for charity.”
Home Depot’s founder Arthur Blank and HomeBase President Jim Halpin participated in what was described by our reporter as a “fiercely-competed” charity softball game in Orange, Calif. HomeBase scored early and often, winning by a score of 27 to 8.
The charity game raised $270,000 for City of Hope, the California-based cancer research and disease treatment center.
HomeBase lumber buyer Blair Simmons.
The article included reports of standout individual performances, including HomeBase VP of merchandising Bill Pena, described as “one of the game’s stars.” It was also reported that Tony Gurrola, a HomeBase employee in the merchandise replenishment department, hit three for four with two RBIs.
HomeBase lumber buyer Blair Simmons pitched the winner.
The post-game interviews were full of good sportsmanship and healthy competitive analysis.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Halpin.
“We’ll try to win next year,” said Blank. “We don’t like to lose twice, let alone once.”
HBSDealer’s Throwback Thursday is sponsored by Schaffer Associates, a national management consulting firm specializing in executive search and organizational strategies for the hardware, home improvement, building materials, and consumer products industries. As the premier management consulting firm serving the industry, we help build organizations and leadership teams that foster corporate growth and success well into the future. Contact us at SchafferAssociates.com.
Home Depot’s founder Arthur Blank and HomeBase President Jim Halpin participated in what was described by our reporter as a “fiercely-competed” charity softball game in Orange, Calif. HomeBase scored early and often, winning by a score of 27 to 8.
The charity game raised $270,000 for City of Hope, the California-based cancer research and disease treatment center.
HomeBase lumber buyer Blair Simmons.The article included reports of standout individual performances, including HomeBase VP of merchandising Bill Pena, described as “one of the game’s stars.” It was also reported that Tony Gurrola, a HomeBase employee in the merchandise replenishment department, hit three for four with two RBIs.
HomeBase lumber buyer Blair Simmons pitched the winner.
The post-game interviews were full of good sportsmanship and healthy competitive analysis.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Halpin.
“We’ll try to win next year,” said Blank. “We don’t like to lose twice, let alone once.”
HBSDealer’s Throwback Thursday is sponsored by Schaffer Associates, a national management consulting firm specializing in executive search and organizational strategies for the hardware, home improvement, building materials, and consumer products industries. As the premier management consulting firm serving the industry, we help build organizations and leadership teams that foster corporate growth and success well into the future. Contact us at SchafferAssociates.com.