Minor Leagues Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
Beloit, Wis. – Blue Sox pitching coach Dave James announced his retirement on Nov. 12, just weeks after his team won the 2041 AA championship.
“I don’t know about that,” James said. “But I do know it was a great ride – and I can’t think of a better way to bring down the curtain on my baseball career than with a championship trophy.”
Not everyone was so pleased by the timing, though.
“Damn it,” said Black Sox General Manager Vic Caleca. “We spent a ton of resources last offseason on training for Dave. We got one good season out of it, but we were hoping for years of dividends from that. He had three years left on his contract, for Pete’s sake!”
James just shrugged.
“Hey, I turned 64 and I’ve had enough of all the traveling and stress. Time to kick back a little, if you know what I mean.
“Also, they were paying me $25,000 a year – I could make more as a Wal-Mart greeter.”
Sources inside the Black Sox front office say the team already has an offer out to a replacement for James, and hope to hear something by the end of the week.
