Beware the enemy within

Having just returned from the amazing 150th anniversary reenactment of the first Battle of Bull Run, I think I finally understand why the more-powerful North lost that critical first battle, and needed four bloody years to win the war.

Arrogance ä the flaw that ruins lives, sports teams, companies and great nations.

The North had 23 million white citizens to about 5.6 million whites in the South. It had 2.1 million troops, twice as many as the South.

But those advantages created a great disadvantage: The Yankees thought they would crush the Rebels in one stroke and go back to their farms and factories as great conquerors.

It could have happened that way. The North routed the enemy early in the battle, so much so that the general all but declared victory, and soldiers began picking up war souvenirs.

They were shocked to see the Rebels forming a defensive line on Henry Hill, and panic-stricken when the South counter-attacked with its piercing Rebel Yell. The Yankees didn’t stop running until reaching the safety of Washington 26 miles away.

In sports, I’ll always remember the Cleveland Indians’ 2007 playoff collapse against the Boston Red Sox. They led the Sox 3 games to 1, and needed just one win at home to reach the World Series.

The Indians lost the fifth game, but a cocky player said champagne would taste just as sweet in Boston as in Cleveland.

The Tribe proceeded to get outscored 30-5 and lose the series. They haven’t been back since.

Complacency, hubris, arrogance ä whatever the term, it’s a bigger enemy than any opponent because it’s in ourselves.