The Best Interview Lesson You’ll Ever Hear—On a Hall of Fame Bus
Tom Verducci recently shared a story about riding the bus from the hotel to the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony. The early bus was crowded, he grabbed the first open seat he could find. He sat, adjusted, got comfortable, and nodded to his seatmate. Then froze. It was Sandy Koufax, one of baseball's greatest legends. Aside from his killer curveball, devastating fastball, and the greatest five-year run for a pitcher in baseball history, winning 27 games and leading the league in every statistical category then walking away at age 30—there was this: he was famously private.
Verducci was awe struck. He also really wanted to talk to him. His immediate problem: how do you break the ice with someone who has already been asked every imaginable baseball question countless times?
There was a real chance he'd go Chris Farley:
"Hey, Mr. Koufax ... hey, remember the time you threw a perfect game?"
Instead, after a minute or two something hit Verducci out of the blue and he said, in lieu of hellos,
"I've always wondered, could you dunk?"
Koufax was thrilled and talked nonstop for the rest of the ride and as they walked to the ceremonies. Koufax loved basketball. Koufax was a star high school basketball player and was a walk-on at the University of Cincinnati. And, yes, he could dunk [of course].
When their talk ended, Verducci had an incredible column about what the guy who started 41 games his last year in the majors, completed 27 of them, and threw 327 innings thought about modern starters throwing their guts out for five innings. (Not quite what you may think, by the way—he retired at 30 because he was told there was a pretty good chance he could lose the use of his arm with another year like that.)
The Art of the Great Interview: Go Off Script
An unexpected, thoughtful [and pretty damn cool under the circumstances] question opened a great conversation. Verducci bypassed the generic, the tired, and the obvious—and in doing so, connected on a deeper, more authentic level.
This isn’t just a baseball story.
It’s a fundamental lesson for lawyers, business coaches, journalists, and anyone in the business of conversation. Real connection rarely [read: never] happens with predictable, canned questions. Authentic relationships—whether with a client, colleague, or potential business partner—come from knowledge, deep knowledge, and the ability to pull it up on a heartbeat.
Interview Tips from the Hall of Fame Bus
Want to break the ice with a pro, a prospect, or anyone you’re trying to know? Try these:
- Do your homework. Know the subject’s background, but also look for the surprising detail.
- Don’t ask what everyone else asks. (The Koufax Fastball is legendary—try the Koufax Dunk.)
- Let the conversation breathe. The best question may come after a pause.
- Listen for enthusiasm. When you find their real love, the conversation opens up.
- Be authentic. People know when you’re just reading off a list. Real curiosity always wins.
FAQ: How to Ask Better Interview Questions
Not always—you may need context. But move quickly into new territory if you want a real answer.
They’ve heard it all. The unexpected question is your golden ticket.
Sometimes the best stories come from what seems like a sidetrack.
Takeaway: The Real Job of an Interviewer
Anyone can ask, “Tell me about your greatest win.” Only a real pro asks, “Could you dunk?”
Want clients to open up? Want to write columns people actually remember? Start with the question no one else thought to ask—and let them tell you the rest.
