Today I am thinking baseball. Specifically about memories with my crystal radio listening to the Cleveland Indians. Also today, James Loney of the Tampa Bay Rays was let go after having a great spring training following three great years with Tampa. I am sad for James's spirit. He has made some money, millions and seems level headed so I assume he has plenty enough. Yet, here is a guy who has done everything his dad ever taught him about baseball and it seems not to be enough. He hits for a good average, lifetime .281, is considered a better than most first baseman, bats left handed which everyone likes. He is also a true team player and experienced leader on a "ball club". His salary this year was creeping up there but not too much for what he brings to a team. He also was in better shape this year physically so what is up.
I suspect that with being on the Tampa rays payroll, his salary was part of it but most of it was that he cannot hit home runs very often. He was taught to connect with the ball, to get the bat on the ball. You can tell, he rarely swings at bad pitches. When you have ducks on the pond, you want someone to move them around. Not any more. Baseball demands you take steroids and hit the ball out of the park although very few do hit it out of the stadium anymore. Maybe stadiums are bigger, probably. Many players, good and exciting ones are having a tough time these days because they do not hit the long ball. My dad said that he would have taught us differently. He would have taught us to hit the ball harder regardless of average. My dad could have taught a three legged two toed sloth to hit a baseball. The best pitching arm in Utah in 1975 would not play baseball because he could not hit a baseball. He hated baseball after years of embarrassment. I told him, my dad would teach you how to hit, "You just pitch". He had a fastball that tailed up and in, what a pitch. That pitch cannot be hit at any level. The scouts were talking about Axel Hardy and Bruce Hurst not this guy. I digressed.
Not being good enough for some is hard to accept. You do the best you can and screw the rest. Someone will pick up Mr. Loney. He is valuable to teams and baseball. His qualities are valuable to the world.
