Slugger Shavings 2062.1 - The Mendoza line has been crossed

[RT60]

"Are you sure?" asked future hall-of-famer Luis Mendoza. He was relaxing at his palatial estate overlooking the Gulf of Mexico in the Yucatan when he got the call. It was GM BP of the Sluggers asking him if he wanted to join the Missouri Blues in AAA as a hitting coach.

"Honestly, I thought you hated me. You weren't exactly friendly after I left Louisville for Omaha," noted Mendoza.

"I admit, Luis, you turning down my fair contract extension offer to go play for a division rival hurt," GM BP responded. "I took it personally. It also didn't help that we went from 94 to 68 wins when you left. We are still recovering from it. But I still consider you a Slugger, and I greatly respect how you left the game. You didn't string it out. You didn't go to the GBC. You still had more in the tank, but knew you were likely not going to be the elite player you used to be."

"Well, I think you had more problems than my departure, but I have been thinking about my future lately. I am envious how much fun Kwak is having in Ocala. I don't really remember Missouri that well since I didn't play there much, but I think I can teach those guys a thing or two. Maybe Kwak and I can get up to Louisville together someday. That would be fun. In the meantime, I am happy to test out this coaching thing in Missouri."

And just like that, the Sluggers brought back a team legend into the fold. It was a move that helped the team avoid the frustration of the wading through binders of unqualified candidates, and also helped to heal old wounds.

[RonCo]

Nice choice.