The Kid (48.08)

GM: Morris Ragland

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The Kid (48.08)

Post by mragland » Fri Aug 27, 2021 9:50 am

Why are you here?

You've got nothing to prove to nobody. Thirty-seven and still playing this game. You got the trophies. You got the stats. You're fine. You're good. Everybody knows it. You sure don't need the money. Your kids' kids' kids will still be living off that. You joke, “when they pull the shirt off my back.” Is it funny now? Here you are, wearing whatever uniform they offer (got your number, though, so it's all good, I guess). A non-roster invitee. Really? Would Gillstrom have put up with this? You a glutton for punishment?

Why are you here?

Your family is over it. Wife says she isn't moving again, period. Not pulling the kids out of another school. Some fancy Montessori where they speak French. Mom from Quebec wanted to raise them bilingual. You don't speak French. You just sit there at the table and the three of them speak their secret language. Share their secret jokes. You love them to death, but they're like strangers most days. That is, the days you're actually around. When will you ever just be dad? Did you even want to be a dad?

Now batting, the designated hitter, David Noboru. Cheers. Not for you, though. That other guy. That other guy was a beast. You barely even look like him anymore.

Why are you here?

No way this organizational guy's getting over on you. No, sir. Not this one. Remember to let that knuckle curve go. Can't throw it for strikes. No sense waiving at it. There it goes. Ball one. Got to use your wiles. But there's no substitute for young hands, young legs, young back, young eyes (though your eyes were never that picky, if you're being honest). Don't move like you did. How is the back so strong and so delicate at the same time? Whap! Ball on leather. There's the heater, 100 mph. Strike one. You'll catch the next one, sure. You've seen this before. You've got to conserve your strength. Wait for your moment. Pick your spot, and uncoil like a snake. Heater again. Now, swing! Bam! Nope, didn't get all of it. Liner. Center fielder only needs a few steps to glove it. Back to the dugout.

Why are you here?

It's not like you got nothing else to live for. You could go back home to Vegas. Put a band together. Get some sweet residency gig in a classy lounge. You've got a good voice. A name people know. Singers your age still in their prime. Get a regular schedule. Drive to work. See that family you say you care about. It would be a good life. “Baseball will tell you when to retire,” they said, but you're going to make it scream in your face, aren't you? Just shaking the rust off, that's all. Long winter. Carrying that phone around with your everywhere. A little more BP and you'll be right again, sure. You tell yourself that. You can get there. Just need some time.

Why are you here, though?

Because nobody else called, man. Nobody else called.
Morris Ragland
President, Baseball Ops, Beirut Cedars (8/25/46 - 10/23/47)
President, Baseball Ops, Valencia Stars (10/24/47 - present)
925-891 Lifetime Record
2048 Caleca Winner

"Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm." - W. Churchill

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Re: The Kid (48.08)

Post by Dington » Fri Aug 27, 2021 10:20 am

Nice read.
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Re: The Kid (48.08)

Post by CTBrewCrew » Sun Aug 29, 2021 8:18 pm

Nice coaching conversation candidate. 🤔
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Re: The Kid (48.08)

Post by Fat Nige » Sun Dec 05, 2021 2:30 am

:cool: Well done Reg
Nigel Laverick
(former GM of El Paso Chilis #WeWereShitty) ,
Now GM Riyadh Red Crescents #WeBeNotSoNewNow #WeAreJustAsShitty


Riyadh GM since May 2046

JL Manager of the Year 2000 (Baltimore Monarchs)
Nothing since


An MBBA GM since 1995 (off & on)

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Re: The Kid (48.08)

Post by aaronweiner » Sun Dec 05, 2021 6:29 am

And now The Kid is a Hall of Famer.

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