the dugout parable
Free agency came unexpectedly. No arbitration offered. Not even waivers. Just outright release. The charismatic skipper was stone-faced in breaking the news. The team was going in a different direction, hoping to turn around a disappointing season. The slumping lefty was free to take his game, his inconsistent delivery, funky approach and sometimes erratic behavior and search for greener pastures. Hadn’t he been a hero last summer and into the fall? A rising star in the organization, putting people in seats, making everyone involved look good while doing it? Now, after a series of blown saves and ineffectiveness in middle relief, the future star dimmed as he cleaned out his locker.
The wife would be upset, but that’s the ballplayer’s life. A different house in a different town? Any given year. Would it be minor league amenities, or worse, an independent league outpost? She liked this town. They’d been treated well here and were ready to settle down. Now what? It took so long to catch this last break, what are the chances another one is waiting just around the corner?
The wife would be upset, but that’s the ballplayer’s life. A different house in a different town? Any given year. Would it be minor league amenities, or worse, an independent league outpost? She liked this town. They’d been treated well here and were ready to settle down. Now what? It took so long to catch this last break, what are the chances another one is waiting just around the corner?