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Jim Sundberg

MLB Six-Time Gold Glove Catcher and Successful Businessman

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Biography

Jim Sundberg recently retired as Executive Vice President of the Trexas Rangers. Sundberg began his career as a Major League Baseball player, and much of his career he played for the Texas Rangers. A member of the inaugural class of the Texas Rangers Hall of Fame, Sundberg returned to baseball in 2002, coordinating several community programs for the Frisco RoughRiders. He also served as Texas' Minor League catching coordinator from 2002-2004. Jim retired at the end of the 1989 season following a 16-year major league career with the Rangers, Milwaukee, Kansas City and the Chicago Cubs. One of the top defensive catchers in Major League history, Sundberg won six Gold Glove awards and was a three-time American League All-Star. He still ranks 6th on the all-time list for games caught (1927), trailing only Ivan Rodriguez (2288), Carlton Fisk (2226), Bob Boone (2225), Gary Carter (2056), and Tony Pena (1950). Sundberg spent 11 1/2 seasons with Texas and still ranks among the club's all-time leaders in games (2nd, 1,512), walks (3rd, 544), triples (4th, 27), at-bats (5th, 4,684), hits (6th, 1,180) and doubles (7th, 200). He also maintains the record for the most games caught in one season in the A.L. (155 games in 1975). Jim was a member of the 1985 World Champion Kansas City Royals, scoring the winning run with a head-first slide in the Royals' memorable Game 6 win over St. Louis. He was voted "World Series Hero" by the Chicago sportswriters for that play. Jim spent just one season in the Minor Leagues during his entire playing career, with Pittsfield in 1973. Jim was an All-American at the University of Iowa in 1972, leading the Hawkeyes to the Big 10 championship and their lone College World Series appearance. After making tremendous efforts in the community during his playing days, the Rangers placed Jim's name on the club's community service award beginning in 1989. He is on the board of the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation. Between his playing days and re-joining the Rangers, Jim started companies manufacturing sports training products and conducting motivational speeches. He co-wrote the book How to Win at Sports Parenting with his wife. Jim was also an analyst on Rangers' television games from 1990-95. Jim married the former Janet Naugle on July 3, 1970. The couple has three children, Aaron James (2/12/72), Audra Janette (7/17/76), and Briana Nicole (4/8/83), and eight grandchildren.

Speech Topics

  • Step Up to the Plate

    Keeping pace with change - clarifying vision, building momentum

  • Bottom of the Ninth

    The winning formula - maximizing resources when it counts

  • Impact Player

    The essence of team leadership - motivating others towards excellence

  • The Shield of Faith

  • Making Your Vision Come Alive

  • Light the Brilliance in Your Team

  • Team Chemistry, The Quest for Collective Brilliance

Videos

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How can I check Jim Sundberg's availability or request a quote?
    You can inquire about Jim Sundberg's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.
  • What is Jim Sundberg's speaking fee?
    The typical range for Jim Sundberg's speaking fee is $6,500–$8,000. The low end of the fee range represents their standard virtual fee. The high end of the fee range represents their standard fee for a US-based in-person speaking engagement. Appearances which require an extended schedule of activities or international travel will possibly exceed this fee range. Speaker fees update frequently. To receive a personalized quote for Jim Sundberg to speak at your event, please consult with a Key Speakers advisor for up to date information and assistance.
  • What factors influence the speaker's fee?
    Other factors that influence a keynote speaker's fee include their reputation, expertise, demand, experience, duration of the presentation, travel requirements for the event location, and any additional services, activities or customization options they offer.
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    Travel expenses are typically not included in the listed speaker's fee and are quoted separately. If the speaker needs to travel internationally, fees will be higher. These expenses may include airfare, accommodation, ground transportation at home and in the event city, and meals. We can provide more detailed information about travel expenses and arrangements once you've selected a speaker.
  • How do I book Jim Sundberg for my event?
    The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Jim Sundberg's availability, fees, and any unique requirements (we can also help negotiate fees and terms); submit a firm offer to extend the invite to your speaker, with the details used to create an agreement once the speaker accepts; coordinate and finalize the terms of the booking, including contract terms and conditions; and confirm the booking by signing the contract and making the necessary payments.
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    A deposit is required upon signing the contract, with the remaining balance due 2–4 weeks before the event. If the event is taking place within 30 days, the full balance is due upon signing.
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    Yes, many keynote speakers offer customization options for their presentations. They can tailor their content, examples, or case studies to align with your event's theme, industry, or specific audience. Discuss your customization needs with us so we can guide you accordingly.
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    Some keynote speakers are open to participating in pre-event activities such as panel discussions, Q&A sessions, or meet-and-greet sessions. Please share your specific requirements with us during the firm offer phase, so we can work on getting you everything you need.
  • How long is a typical keynote speech?
    The duration of a standard keynote speech can vary depending on the speaker and the event's schedule. Typically, keynote speeches range from 30 minutes to 90 minutes, including any Q&A sessions or interactive elements. Some speakers can accommodate half or full day sessions and extended keynotes. Discuss the desired duration with your representative to determine the appropriate length for participation.
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  • Are there any discounts or special offers available for booking multiple speakers or multiple events?
    Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.
  • Why book Jim Sundberg through Key Speakers?
    We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.

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Rocky Bleier

Legendary member of the four-time World Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, Rocky Bleier is one of America's most courageous sportsmen. Crippled by enemy fire during the Vietnam conflict, he fought overwhelming odds and demonstrated the courage and determination to overcome his injuries, becoming one of the NFL's premier running backs. His remarkable story became the subject of the book, Fighting Back, which was recreated in the 1980 ABC-TV movie of the same name. In his presentations, he motivates audiences to keep on striving for greater accomplishments, employing a dynamic style with real-life stories and an appropriate injection of humor.


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Ed Hearn

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Dave Sanderson

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Bill Butterworth

Bill Butterworth

Bill Butterworth is an award-winning speaker and author with nearly 40 titles to his name. Bill’s extraordinary ability to blend humor, storytelling, wisdom and practicality has resonated with a wide range of audiences across the globe. For close to 30 years Bill has traveled full-time speaking to hundreds of audiences, including Fortune 500 clients such as Microsoft, Walt Disney, Ford, Chrysler, Bank of America, and Verizon, as well as over 50 professional sports teams in the NFL, NBA, and Major League Baseball. Beyond speaking, Bill has authored over three-dozen books as a writer and a ghostwriter. His latest contribution is a book entitled Everyday Influence. Other authored titles include such classics as Balancing Work and Life, Building Successful Teams, The Short List, and The Promise of the Second Wind. Before his speaking and writing career took shape, Bill taught at the college level for thirteen years and was a counselor for six years.


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