After reading George F. Will's great article about minor league players in the Post today, I realized I need to go to more minor league games instead of wasting my money on the major leaguers. Don't get me wrong, I still love my Nationals (I wouldn't have changed my license plates to something Nats-themed if I didn't), but these guys really work hard for little appreciation. I doubt I'd be constantly screaming about their half-assed base running (like I did about Patterson the other day).
The RiverDogs play 140 games in 151 days, traveling by bus, living at least two to a room in motels, some earning as little as $1,050 a month -- and only during the season -- with a $20 per diem for food. "Sometimes," says a player touchingly grateful for life's little blessings, "the motel is near an Outback."
Yeah, the major leaguers had to start somewhere, and a lot of them know this lifestyle. What about the kids who never make it out of the minors? I guess it's fun for a while...even getting paid next to nothing to play baseball doesn't sound too bad to me. Must be hard during the off-season though.
The buses will not carry most of the RiverDogs to Trenton, let alone to triple-A Columbus -- never mind the big leagues. But don't try to tell that to the pitcher who, when asked if his curve is as good as the Oakland A's Barry Zito's, confidently replies, "Not yet." Says another, "I want to be the best center fielder that ever came out of the Yankees' organization." Better than Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle? "Sure."
I admire their confidence and drive- makes me want to get to a minor-league game even more. Now I regret not getting to more Blue Rocks games when I lived in Wilmington and tickets were $1, back in the days when Johnny Damon was playing there. But who would've known? Minor league games definitely don't get enough visibility.
In closing, is anyone else as annoyed by this ad as I am? If I hear the word "RANCH" one more time I'm going to scream.
5 comments:
That is way too funny that we posted about the same thing today (sorta).
Ah, the minor-leaguers. They're just so...innocent?
what i don't get is why the tooth is the mascot for this ad???
sweet tooth.. and this guy's "ranch tooth".. now, why it's bigger than any other tooth and has a face - and can talk without moving his mouth - I'll never understand.
ranch tooth?!?
someone actually paid money for someone to come up with "ranch tooth?!?"
Miss M- have you never seen those stupid ads? You are one lucky woman!
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