2062.3 Baseball for Dummies

[Krathan]

I asked Jeanine to get my Short A manager on the phone and patch me through. Soon enough, I was talking to See-tong Yee.

“Hello Mr. Yee. Let me first congratulate you on a great season. You got the boys really close to a title this year.”

Yee thanked me and he was happy to share a few thoughts when I asked him how it felt to do so well in his first season with a new club. After I’d had enough of that, I moved on to the actual reason I had called.

“Mr. Yee, I received a letter from one of your players recently. Do you know anything about that?”

“Oh, yes, Mr. Garrison. I believe you’re talking about Tommy Anderson. He’s changing his uniform number to 40 and he said it was really important that you knew he wanted to wear that number the rest of his career.’

“Exactly. I’ve gotta tell you, Mr. Yee. I like the way it seems like that kid has a chip on his shoulder. What else can you tell me about him”

“Yes. He’s got a chip on his shoulder. That’s for sure. He plays to prove to the world he belongs. He can hit too…and run. He does most things well. Have you seen him play defense?”

“I looked at him on film. It seems like he moves well out there. He’s got a good arm…not great….but good. Pretty good at turning two. Sometimes seems to be unsure what to do with the ball though.”

“Right. That’s the thing. He’s a great kid. He’s got talent and potential. Great attitude. But…he’s not bright. His baseball IQ is one thing. He does struggle with that. But some of that is masked by some really good instincts. But yeah, when he has to use his brain…yikes. That can go bad in a hurry.”

“So you’re telling me the kid’s not bright.”

“He’s not as bright as a dead lightbulb. That kid needs some education. I don’t know what they were doing in that school he went to, but it seems like he got by on his smile and his baseball ability. If you want him to learn new baseball skills, you’re probably going to need to get him a little more schooling too…some kind of tutor or somethin’. And probably fast. I mean the kid’s about to be 21. He’s a rule follower so he doesn’t really go out and make a bunch of trouble or get drunk off his ass but once he turns 21, I’m a little worried what happens when some of the older guys he might be playing with next season take him out on his birthday. Let me tell you, we don’t need him killing any more of his brain cells, at least not before he figures out how to use them better.”

“That’s helpful. Thanks. Maybe we’ll get somebody to work with him. We can’t let him squander his natural ability. I appreciate you sharing some of your time with me…and being so forthright.”

“Not a problem Mr. Garrison. By the way, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to retire. I enjoyed my time in Adirondack, but it’s become clear that my body just can’t handle the job anymore. I wish you and the organization all the best.”

“Thank you Mr. Yee. You seemed to help the boys you worked with this year and I appreciate that. Enjoy your retirement sir.”

I hung up the phone and then called out to Jeannine. “Can you get Madeline to find a good tutor for one of our prospects? Seems like he’s going to need a lot of help filling some knowledge gaps.”

“I’ll get right on that Mr. Garrison.”