WHIV 2060.10- A Call To Arms

[recte44]

Elliot Buckland rushed up the stairs of Palace Station Ballpark and Casino to the Las Vegas Hustlers Corporate Offices. He'd been summoned there, urgently (the secretary put emphasis on the word urgently) to meet with Hustlers' Assistant General Manager Aaron Burnette. This can't be a good thing..., Buckland thought to himself. You don't get called up here just to chit chat. I might be in serious trouble.

Buckland opened the door and was surprised to find Burnette himself, pacing back and forth in a panicked fashion. The 37-year old Burnette looked disheveled, a five o'clock shadow nearly turned into a scraggly goatee. He appeared to be wearing the same clothes he fell asleep in, most likely in his office, the day before. Burnette's attention (or lack thereof) snapped to the door and to Buckland. "Finally!," snapped Burnette. "Come on, there's no time to waste!" With a flash, Burnette was nearly sprinting to his office, Buckland chasing after him.

In the office, Burnette grabbed an already open can of Brawndo (The Thirst Mutilator), chugged it down, crushed the can in his large hands, and threw it across the room and into the wastebasket. "Swoosh!" Burnette seemed pleased with this. Buckland audibly chuckled.

"Something funny, Elliot?" Burnette's brow pushed downward as he went from jubilant over his successful waste basket shot to perturbed by Buckland's guffaw.

Buckland shrugged. "The whole setup here is weird, bro," stated the pitching coach, matter of factly. "I get called up here, no reason given, you're out there looking like you haven't slept in days, you actually run to your office, and then you celebrate a can toss to your garbage? What the hell is up with you?"

Burnette sighed. His head down, eyes closed for just a moment. Another deep breath, and another long sigh. He looked up at Buckland. "My man, we're both going to get fired."

Buckland felt sick. He was afraid of this. "For real? Right now?"

Burnette shook his head side to side. "Not yet, but it's coming. Look, I'm just a kid and this is my first big job in baseball. I'm no Cisco Arreola, that's for sure. You've been around a lot longer but it's no mystery what our demise is going to be."

"This pitching..." Buckland trailed off. "This dang-gum pitching. They are absolutely killing me."

"And me!" Burnette shouted. "I figure I have the year to prove myself. If the pitching doesn't get better, I'm gone. So here's what that means for you, Elliot. You have until the All-Star break to fix these guys."

Buckland's stomach grumbled with angst. "I get it, man. At the end of the day they are my responsibility. But we have to make some changes."

Burnette nodded. "No shit, sherlock. What changes do you have in mind?"

Buckland was actually prepared for this. "Well, (Jose) Barron is ready to come back after his rehab assignment. We'll get him back in the rotation eventually but this next sim, I'd like him in the pen."

"Okay, and who goes out?"

Buckland spoke quickly. "(Eric) Buckson has gotta go. I love the guy, but he's not getting it done anymore."

Burnette nodded in agreement. "Okay, done. What else?"

"Let's send Mauro Rojas to Milwaukee, maybe just for a sim. I want to see him in relief, he might actually be a lot better there."

"Okay, who's taking his spot?" Burnette inquired.

Buckland paused a bit this time. He knew what he was going to say, but also knew this would be a bit of a harder sell. "Let's give (Reese) Newsome a spot start. I just have a feeling."

Burnette made a noise that Buckland couldn't even identify, then followed it by saying "Alright, it's your funeral."

"We'll bring up Mike Emrick from Milwaukee to take Rojas' roster spot, he's pitching well. I also want to send Faqih bin Nasser back to Milwaukee, if you are alright with adding Sergio Tormes. I know he's been a starter, but I think he'll make a great reliever."

"That sounds reasonable, Elliot," said Burnette. "I'll make the moves. You get some results. If not..." Burnette made a slashing move across his neck. "You're done."

Buckland laughed, nervously at first, then with more amusement as he realized how ridiculous Burnette's pantomime was. "I'll get to it, boss."

[ae37jr]

Buckson has had an odd career. He was great... then he wasn't... then he was great again.... then he wasn't. He is still young enough and has decent enough ratings to put another run in. Someone will give him a chance.

I hink he might be done for good now though. He is usually as good as his infield defense. But Vegas has been very good this year and he hasn't. Which is telling.

[recte44]

Buckson has had an odd career. He was great... then he wasn't... then he was great again.... then he wasn't. He is still young enough and has decent enough ratings to put another run in. Someone will give him a chance.

I hink he might be done for good now though. He is usually as good as his infield defense. But Vegas has been very good this year and he hasn't. Which is telling.

Indeed. I couldn't hang onto him anymore.