WHIV 2048.11- An Abbott Renaissance
Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2021 5:06 pm
This year's surprise? It's easy: Gerald "Rumor Mill" Abbott.
From 2042-2047, Abbott was an important cog in the Hustlers pitching staff. Last year after some struggles, he was outrighted to the minor leagues. This is a guy who passed completely through waivers unclaimed last season, when any team could have added him to their staff. Instead, he went down to the Hustlers' AAA affiliate in Milwaukee and just kept pitching. "I could have sulked, but what good was that going to do? None," said Abbott. Instead, he pitched his ass off. Seven outstanding starts in 2047 and sixteen more this year, and suddenly Abbott was back on the radar of the front office.
"We owed it to Gerald to bring him back," said GM Matt Rectenwald. "We actually care about the players in our organization and Gerald has been an outstanding contributor over the years. When roster spots became available, we brought him back."
Abbott was expected to pitch in relief and probably sporadically. After five solid relief appearances and the Hustlers nearing the division title, Abbott got the call to start some games down the stretch. What resulted was....well, unexpected.
"That's probably the best four game stretch I've had in a long time," Abbott said. "Right place, right time, hey?" All of this resulted in Abbott winning the JL Pitcher of the Month Award for September. Indeed. Now, Rectenwald indicates that Abbott may be in consideration for the Postseason roster. NOTE: After the completion of this article, Abbott did indeed make the roster for the Hustlers' Doubleday Series vs. Atlantic City.