Slugger Shavings 2059.3 - Kwakou's Number Retired

[RT60]

At the end of the 2057 season, Semei Kwakou had reached the end of the line. His last season was his first with negative WAR, and he simply didn't want to bring the team down. He had graciously accepted a move to first base in his last few seasons, but that couldn't avoid the inevitable. After his last game, with the Sluggers far away from postseason play, Kwakou hastily returned to Nigeria and kept a low profile.

Recently Kwakou was sighted at the Truck Plant, leading to much speculation. Was he coming back to play? Did he come back to tell GM BP to stop ruining his beloved team? It turns out that it was neither of those. It was to attend a team ceremony to retire his #18. Kwakou struggled to hold back tears as GM BP regaled the assembled crowd with tales of Kwakou's hall of fame worthy career.

Kwakou was arguably the team's best player in its history. The team's all-time leader in games played, hits, and home runs, he burst onto the scene in 2039 at age 19 winning rookie of the year leading the league in hits, home runs, batting average, and WAR. In his first five seasons, he had an OPS over 1.000. He was a 7-time all-star, 5-time Golden Bat award winner, and 2-time BBA champion.

He spent the entirety of his career in Louisville after being drafted in the first round of the 2037 draft. All nineteen seasons basking in the adulation of the Louisville faithful. Many never knew a Sluggers team without Kwakou until this past season. It was a hard adjustment for everyone.

"I just want to thank the fans for sticking by me all these years," said Kwakou. "I was so glad that GM BP extended my contract so I could retire a Slugger. It is an unbelievable honor to have my number retired."

As the festivities appeared to be wrapping up, GM BP tapped on the microphone and stated, "Oh, there is also another announcement that we wanted to make about Semei, so if you all could just stick around for a few more minutes. Thanks."

[7teen]

Kwakou goes down as an all-time Louisville great.

Worthy choice of having his digits retired!

[Jwalk100]

Feels like an end of an era.