2060.14 Robert Menzies prepares for opening day
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 1:22 pm
Robert Menzies sat at his locker in the Family Dollar Field clubhouse prior to opening day on 2060. The Flyers had already completed their batting practice and were preparing for first pitch. Menzies was motionless, staring into his locker when Dallas Dixon walked up beside him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"What's up Tosser? You ready for another one?"
"Yeah, Dallas. I'm ready. I want this one to be special, you know?"
"Yeah, man. I feel you. Let's make sure it is."
"No doubt."
Dixon walked away and Menzies stood up. He took his jersey off of the hanger and started to put it on. He thought about the number on the back, 17, and thought about his father, who had worn the same number when he played college baseball many years ago.
"Love you dad." Menzies said as he looked up to the sky. "Miss you."
He thought about how he had been promised that no one else would ever wear the number 17 in Charlotte. His number would be the first retired in franchise history. Menzies was grateful to know that he would be rememberd here. 2060 would be his 16th season in Charlotte. He wasn't sure how many more there would be.
The general manager had reached out in the offseason to discuss a possible extension and Menzies responded by saying he didn't want to discuss an extension right now. He told Mr. Garrison that he wanted to test free agency. If he had been honest, Menzies would have said he wasn't ready to commit to playing past this season. But he wasn't ready to be honest about that yet.
2059 had been a great year for Menzies on paper, but it felt different in his body. He realized pretty early that he didn't have the ability to get to balls he used to be able to reach at short. It didn't take long for other people to notice either. When his manager called him into the office to discuss a position change, Menzies couldn't even bring himself to fight back. He knew that Elvan Masûkî was the better defender at this point and Menzies wanted to win more than he wanted to prove he could still play the position he loved the most.
Now he was tryng to figure out how long he could play second base. He knew he could still play the position, but not as well as he used to be able to. Andy Bishop was probably a better fielder than him at this point but it wasn't like Menzies could move to first base with Dixon there. And now that Tadataka Yoshikawa was going to DH most of the time, that spot wasn't open either. He could probably move out to LF with a little work, but that wasn't really ideal either.
Menzies wants another title. He got one in 2041 with Edmonton, but that was a long time ago. He wanted one here, in Charlotte. This was the place he called home. This was where he had become a household name. The team, and the city has given him a lot. He wants to give them a title. Sure, he could come back as a coach after his playing days are done and help the team get there from the bench, but that wouldn't be the same. Just like when he was a kid, Menzies will sometimes sit and dream about driving in or scoring the winning run in game 7 of the Monty. This might be his last chance.
Menzies buttoned the final button on his jersey and turned around to face the door that leads to the dugout. It's time to get after it.
"What's up Tosser? You ready for another one?"
"Yeah, Dallas. I'm ready. I want this one to be special, you know?"
"Yeah, man. I feel you. Let's make sure it is."
"No doubt."
Dixon walked away and Menzies stood up. He took his jersey off of the hanger and started to put it on. He thought about the number on the back, 17, and thought about his father, who had worn the same number when he played college baseball many years ago.
"Love you dad." Menzies said as he looked up to the sky. "Miss you."
He thought about how he had been promised that no one else would ever wear the number 17 in Charlotte. His number would be the first retired in franchise history. Menzies was grateful to know that he would be rememberd here. 2060 would be his 16th season in Charlotte. He wasn't sure how many more there would be.
The general manager had reached out in the offseason to discuss a possible extension and Menzies responded by saying he didn't want to discuss an extension right now. He told Mr. Garrison that he wanted to test free agency. If he had been honest, Menzies would have said he wasn't ready to commit to playing past this season. But he wasn't ready to be honest about that yet.
2059 had been a great year for Menzies on paper, but it felt different in his body. He realized pretty early that he didn't have the ability to get to balls he used to be able to reach at short. It didn't take long for other people to notice either. When his manager called him into the office to discuss a position change, Menzies couldn't even bring himself to fight back. He knew that Elvan Masûkî was the better defender at this point and Menzies wanted to win more than he wanted to prove he could still play the position he loved the most.
Now he was tryng to figure out how long he could play second base. He knew he could still play the position, but not as well as he used to be able to. Andy Bishop was probably a better fielder than him at this point but it wasn't like Menzies could move to first base with Dixon there. And now that Tadataka Yoshikawa was going to DH most of the time, that spot wasn't open either. He could probably move out to LF with a little work, but that wasn't really ideal either.
Menzies wants another title. He got one in 2041 with Edmonton, but that was a long time ago. He wanted one here, in Charlotte. This was the place he called home. This was where he had become a household name. The team, and the city has given him a lot. He wants to give them a title. Sure, he could come back as a coach after his playing days are done and help the team get there from the bench, but that wouldn't be the same. Just like when he was a kid, Menzies will sometimes sit and dream about driving in or scoring the winning run in game 7 of the Monty. This might be his last chance.
Menzies buttoned the final button on his jersey and turned around to face the door that leads to the dugout. It's time to get after it.