• Alex Rodriguez says baseball gave him a "Ph.D. in failing."
• He says the teams that win aren't always the ones with the biggest or most talented stars.
• He now brings that same resilience to running his investment firm.

Alex Rodriguez says baseball taught him the value of failure.

Speaking on Friday's episode of "The Sebastian Maniscalco Show," Rodriguez said his professional baseball career shaped his approach to managing his business, A-Rod Corp.

"I think the greatest thing that I've learned from sports is to develop thick skin, because baseball specifically is a major sport of failure," Rodriguez said.

The former baseball player said he ranks fifth all-time in strikeouts in the history of the game.

"That means only four people in the history of mankind have failed more than me, right?" Rodriguez said. "I often tell my girls I have a Ph.D. in failing, but I also have a master's in getting back up."

He said the key is to keep coming back and trying again. No matter how many missed hits or strikeouts came before, each new at-bat is a fresh chance, he said.

"That's a real gift, and I think that this generation of young kids lacks that a little bit," Rodriguez said.

He also said success requires a strong work ethic, a team with complementary skills, and the ability to work together toward a shared goal.

Rodriguez then referenced a quote that resonated with him. "Great players often don't win championships. The best teams do, even though they may not have the most talent," he said.

"I'm a big believer in that," he added.

Rodriguez is not alone in seeing setbacks as part of the path to success.

Professional field hockey player Boris Burkhardt told Business Insider in July 2025 that sports made him comfortable with losing, a lesson he has carried over into building his businesses.

"When you lose a deal or you didn't manage to close the deal, then you dive into it — where did it go wrong?" Burkhardt said. "Failure is something you should embrace when you play sports or when you're building a business to get better."

Conan O'Brien has similarly said that his long career has depended on treating setbacks as a way to reset and look ahead.

"It keeps happening over and over and over again, and then it's just learning to roll with it and say, OK, what's my next opportunity? Reset, recommit, and look for the next opportunity," O'Brien said in a March podcast appearance.

Anti-socialist opposition leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado on Thursday affirmed that Venezuela will become America's greatest ally in the region once it finishes its transition back to democracy after nearly three decades of socialism.

The post María Corina Machado: Venezuela Will Become U.S.’s ‘Greatest Ally’ Once It Returns to Democracy appeared first on Breitbart.

Delcy Rodríguez ha reestructurado el frente internacional del Ejecutivo con cambios clave en la Cancillería. Se trata de una nueva etapa con la que maniobra ante la aparente aceleración de las transformaciones en Venezuela, un proceso en el que busca asegurarse un lugar. El nombramiento de Oliver Blanco al frente de las relaciones exteriores resulta significativo: con este movimiento, Rodríguez emite señales de que ella también empuja la transición. Blanco es licenciado en Estudios Internacionales y hace solo unos días completó un máster en Gobierno y Políticas Públicas; sin embargo, su carrera diplomática comenzó apenas hace unos meses. Su mayor activo en el convulso tablero político actual es no pertenecer al chavismo. “Defenderé nuestra soberanía y el interés nacional trabajando siempre para alcanzar benificios concretos para la gente”, dijo Blanco al recibir el aceptar el cargo. Señaló que el momento obliga a “construir desde las diferencias” un país en el que “todos tengan un lugar”, sin exclusiones ni discriminación.

Seguir leyendo

Venezuela’s Acting President Delcy Rodriguez appointed Deputy Minister Oliver Blanco as the country’s new Foreign Minister on Thursday, while outgoing top diplomat Félix Plasencia will lead the mission to recover Venezuelan gold held in the United Kingdom.

Acting President Delcy Rodriguez announced the moves in Caracas during an event focused on the National Electric System, where she also outlined plans for the country’s energy infrastructure.

The reshuffle places a 35-year-old diplomat at the helm of the Foreign Ministry and redirects a veteran official toward a long-running dispute over state assets frozen abroad.

RELATED: Delcy Rodríguez Announces Transformations, Labor Dialogue, and Reforms in Venezuela

“I have decided to appoint Oliver Blanco as Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. I hope this strengthened team keeps advancing in the changes and the geopolitical recovery of Venezuela in areas of cooperation and friendship with all countries,” Rodriguez said.

Text reads: “I have appointed Oliver Blanco, a young professional in international relations, as the new Minister of People’s Power for Foreign Relations and Trade. I trust in his preparation, commitment and ability to take on this important responsibility in the service of Venezuela. I thank Félix Plasencia for his dedication and work at the head of the Chancellery, and who will now assume new international strategic tasks.”

The new Foreign Minister Blanco, holds a degree in International Studies from the Central University of Venezuela and a master’s degree in Political and Government Studies from the Metropolitan University. His previous post covered Europe and North America, a portfolio that included some of the governments most active in the sanctions and asset disputes that have defined Venezuela’s recent foreign relations.

Gold Recovery Mission

Felix Plasencia, who steps down as Foreign Minister, will now serve as director of International Affairs for the Presidency. His immediate priority is clear. “His first task is to settle in the United Kingdom until we recover the gold that belongs to Venezuelans,” the Acting President Rodriguez stated.

The assignment follows a request Rodriguez made on Wednesday. She asked the Foreign Ministry and the Attorney General’s Office to begin formal procedures to recover Venezuelan gold retained at the Bank of England. The precious metal has been at the center of a legal battle involving rival claims over Venezuela’s legitimate government, with London courts weighing which authority controls the reserves.

Text reads: “I accept with great humility and commitment the responsibility entrusted to me by the Acting President @delcyrodriguezv. I will defend our sovereignty and national interest firmly, always working to achieve concrete benefits for our people. I am proud to accompany the Acting President in this process of democratic transformation, to which we all have something to contribute to bring it to a successful conclusion.”

Cabinet Reshuffle Expand

The changes extend beyond the two senior positions. Marynna Saatdjian will take over as Vice-minister for Europe and North America, filling the role Blanco leaves behind. Saúl Ameliach, until now a Vice-minister at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, moves to head the Vice-ministry of International Trade.

Acting President Rodriguez framed the appointments as part of a broader effort to strengthen Venezuela’s diplomatic corps. She emphasized that the government will continue pursuing cooperation and friendship with all countries while defending national sovereignty.

The diplomatic shift carries particular weight given the gold dispute. Venezuela has pursued the release of its reserves held in London for years, arguing the assets belong to the Venezuelan people and are needed for social programs and economic recovery. By sending Plasencia directly to the United Kingdom, the government signals it intends to press the matter with renewed intensity.

With Blanco at the Foreign Ministry, Plasencia handling international affairs from the Presidency and new vice ministers in place, the administration has assembled a team positioned around two core objectives: restoring full diplomatic engagement and reclaiming state assets held overseas.

A presidente interina da Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, afirmou nesta quinta-feira (29) que o governo avançou na identificação de ativos estatais a serem oferecidos ao setor privado e aos antigos proprietários, uma medida que poderia reverter as nacionalizações generalizadas ordenadas pelo ex-presidente Hugo Chávez.

“Dei instruções para que os ativos não essenciais detidos pelo Estado sejam avaliados a fim de determinar quais podem ser oferecidos ao setor privado ou devolvidos aos seus antigos proprietários. Esse processo já está bem avançado”, disse Rodríguez em um discurso televisionado.

Em abril, Rodríguez nomeou uma comissão governamental para auditar e avaliar os ativos estatais, incluindo infraestrutura em setores-chave como energia, eletricidade e mineração. Desde então, a comissão vem trabalhando na recomendação dos ativos, segundo fontes.

Ela não forneceu mais detalhes sobre como o processo poderá ser conduzido. Durante o governo de Chávez, a nacionalização de projetos e setores-chave gerou mais de uma dúzia de ações de arbitragem internacional, a maioria das quais ainda não foi resolvida pelo governo.

Em seu discurso, Rodríguez afirmou que 44 contratos no setor de energia estão atualmente sendo negociados sob a nova lei petrolífera do Estado, aprovada em janeiro. O governo declarou que, até o momento, 61 acordos petrolíferos foram assinados, sem fornecer detalhes.

“Da mesma forma, importantes negociações estão em andamento no setor de mineração, especificamente em relação ao ouro, ao alumínio e ao ferro”, acrescentou ela.

Eneva avalia campos maduros na Venezuela e vê espaço para gerar energia | ALTA VOLTAGEM

A presidente também disse que instruiu as agências de segurança pública a não prenderem pessoas sem mandado e prometeu defender o direito ao “protesto pacífico” no país, que tem um histórico de repressão política e, na semana passada, testemunhou seu primeiro protesto nacional da oposição em quase dois anos.

“O exercício responsável dos direitos políticos está garantido para todos. Nossas portas estão abertas”, disse Rodríguez.

Em seu discurso, Rodríguez também afirmou que o governo planejou quatro aumentos trimestrais do salário mínimo nacional em 2027.

La líder de la oposición venezolana María Corina Machado ha afirmado este jueves en sus primeras declaraciones desde que regresó al país de que en en su país no se repetirá la represión contra la población. “En Venezuela habrá memoria, justicia y reparación. Y, sobre todo, no repetición. Nunca jamás un venezolano sufrirá el terrorismo de Estado”, prometió. También afirmó de que, según el plan diseñado por el secretario de Estado estadounidense Marco Rubio, habrá elecciones en 2027. “La transición democrática es irreversible y será organizada, pacífica y atenderá la urgencia de un país que está sufriendo enormemente”, afirmó Machado.

Seguir leyendo

La presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, ha asegurado este jueves que en su país habrá todas las elecciones que la Constitución establece, aunque sin precisar una fecha, y prometió que se celebrarán con una autoridad electoral "renovada".

"Habrá elecciones, todas las que manda nuestra Constitución, organizadas por una autoridad electoral renovada y con el mundo como testigo", ha declarado en un mensaje al país, que tuvo lugar poco antes de la primera conferencia de prensa anunciada por la líder opositora María Corina Machado.

Ataviada de blanco y en un tono pausado, Rodríguez, quien asumió el poder tras la captura en Caracas del ahora depuesto presidente Nicolás Maduro, ha defendido que el horizonte político de su país "no se mide como una fecha en el calendario", en una velada alusión al reclamo de convocar a elecciones, "sino desde una secuencia de objetivos" por alcanzar, según EFE.

Entre otros, ha mencionado "un marco de verdadera convivencia democrática y paz, una reforma jurídica ordenada, garantía de condiciones reales de participación justa para todas las fuerzas políticas del país y unas elecciones que sean una solución y no un generador de conflictos irreconciliables".

Insistió en que "la elección no debe ser un problema ni hacernos retroceder hacia tiempos de confrontación que ya nadie quiere".

La oposición en Venezuela, en particular la representada por Machado y Edmundo González Urrutia, reclama la celebración de elecciones presidenciales en 2027.

El Gobierno del presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, apoya una hoja de ruta para lograr la renovación de organismos clave como el Tribunal Superior de Justicia (TSJ) y el Consejo Nacional Electoral (CNE) en los próximos meses, lo que debería llevar a Rodríguez a declarar vacante la presidencia y a abrir un plazo de seis meses para la convocatoria de elecciones, dijo el lunes un alto funcionario del Departamento de Estado.

On Thursday, October 29, Delcy Rodríguez, acting president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, delivered an address to the nation in which she took stock of the transformative actions undertaken throughout the year across the political, economic, cultural, spiritual, and democratic spheres.

RELATED:

Venezuela’s Acting Pres. Delcy Rodríguez Meets 2015 Assembly Delegations

In her remarks, Rodríguez reviewed the executive branch’s performance, the management of public policies, and ongoing consultative processes aimed at addressing the country’s social demands.

During the address, she defended the Venezuelan government’s independence in defining its strategic policies. “The decisions regarding this transformation are made here, signed here, and announced here—before you. Sovereignty is not up for negotiation,” she asserted.

Rodríguez also addressed the complex situation the nation faced following the socioeconomic impact experienced over the course of the year, noting that the institutional response is focused on consolidating a recovery in production, strengthening public services, and improving the population’s living conditions.

A central theme of her address was the announcement of a national consultation aimed at driving a reform of the criminal justice system. “The goal is to build a more transparent and humane justice system one that leaves behind corruption, procedural delays, and the criminalization of poverty,” Rodríguez explained.

The text reads, “Venezuela has a clear path forward. We are advancing toward a democratic, economic, and social transformation—through judicial reforms, dialogue, and decisions that translate into tangible improvements in the quality of life for the Venezuelan people. I know there is still work to be done, but our commitment is firm: to correct what is wrong, protect what works, and build a country with opportunities for all. The rebirth of Venezuela is proven through actions!”

This initiative is part of an institutional transformation agenda presented by the executive branch, which includes strengthening the judicial system and developing mechanisms to expand guarantees for citizens. Within this framework, the government is engaged in a political dialogue with representatives of the National Assembly elected in 2015; the third round of these talks took place in October.

The agenda also covers political guarantees for upcoming electoral processes, the reform of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, and the allocation of resources for socioeconomic relief following the earthquake.

In her address, Delcy Rodríguez also spoke directly to the nation’s youth and to Venezuelans living abroad. She maintained that the ongoing transformations aim to ensure that new generations “inherit functioning institutions rather than ruins.”

Regarding the return of migrants, she affirmed that the decision is voluntary and that those who choose to return will be treated with respect, provided with proper documentation, and offered employment opportunities. “We are building a country worth returning to,” the acting president stated.

Labor Dialogue Forum

Ver esta publicación en Instagram

Una publicación compartida por teleSUR English (@telesurenglish)

Rodríguez also announced progress on a labor dialogue and consensus forum, designed to strengthen social justice and ensure the progressive improvement of income for the Venezuelan working class. This body functions as a tripartite consultative space, involving the country’s main trade union confederations, business chambers, and the national government.

In this context, she explained that four separate increases in worker income are planned for 2027. Furthermore, she stipulated that these increases can, under no circumstances, be lower than the economic growth recorded in the preceding quarter.

The president reiterated the national government’s commitment to addressing the demands of various social sectors in a timely manner, prioritizing family well-being, the restoration of essential public services, and direct support for communities.

The leader emphasized that economic stakeholders also have a platform to achieve concrete objectives that will drive a significant boost in production and foster sustainable economic growth. Through these initiatives, the government aims to translate productive growth into tangible improvements in the quality of life and purchasing power of the Venezuelan people.

Rodríguez’s message comes at a time of progress within the political dialogue forum, which has addressed political guarantees, judicial system reform, and the recovery of resources to support the country’s social and economic needs.

La presidenta encargada de Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, se erigió este jueves como garante de un cambio democrático en el país y prometió que habrá elecciones con una autoridad electoral “renovada”, aunque no fijó fecha. “Este proceso solo lo puede conducir alguien que conozca profundamente las entrañas del Estado venezolano. Yo he sido vicecanciller, canciller, ministra, vicepresidenta y ahora soy presidenta encargada. Conozco este Estado y soy la persona adecuada para llevar adelante este proceso”, afirmó Rodríguez.

Seguir leyendo