Off Topic
Fans Calling for Rookie Shortstop
April 23, 2058: Hawaii: Three days ago, veteran shortstop Larry Barkin hoofed out a double down the third base line, and in doing so strained a quad. Not bad enough to keep him down, but bad enough that the team trainer says it could be a month or two before it heals up. In the short term, the injury makes the signing of Rich Dares look downright prescient. Dares is a journeyman who had solid numbers last season in Charlotte, and even if his glove is nowhere near Barkin’s he could provide value.
In the long term, though, several of the team’s baseball people are thinking that this might be the door that 20-year-old top prospect Keith Williams is needing. Since coming to the team as it’s first round pick in 2054 Williams has shined at every level, including making a .303/.369/419 slash line in AAA last year, while flashing big league quality glovework. Some figured he would already be up at the Atoll if it weren’t for Barkin’s $13M presence. But he was sent to AAA again this spring, where he’s hitting .313/.360/.446 I 20 games so far.
It's enough to make a guy if, rather than limp along with Dares in Barkin’s spot, the team might just bite the bullet and bring the kid up. At least for the short term.
“Right now we don’t have plans to do that,” said GM Ron Collins while supporting a fan program and the Forever Land Resorts. “Never say never. But we have another couple roster slots we’re fiddling with right now…mostly with the pitching staff. So if Larry can make it through, we’re probably going to keep going that way.”
Fans are not sure that’s a good idea, and they’ve proven it by showing the team an upswell is sales of Williams jersies. Others have created a web site that tracks the whereabouts of Williams and Williams’s girlfriend, Donna Vickers. “They’ve been together since high school said Gary Hammet, the creator of the site. “I figure Williams probably isn’t going anywhere without her.”
April 23, 2058: Hawaii: Three days ago, veteran shortstop Larry Barkin hoofed out a double down the third base line, and in doing so strained a quad. Not bad enough to keep him down, but bad enough that the team trainer says it could be a month or two before it heals up. In the short term, the injury makes the signing of Rich Dares look downright prescient. Dares is a journeyman who had solid numbers last season in Charlotte, and even if his glove is nowhere near Barkin’s he could provide value.
It's enough to make a guy if, rather than limp along with Dares in Barkin’s spot, the team might just bite the bullet and bring the kid up. At least for the short term.
“Right now we don’t have plans to do that,” said GM Ron Collins while supporting a fan program and the Forever Land Resorts. “Never say never. But we have another couple roster slots we’re fiddling with right now…mostly with the pitching staff. So if Larry can make it through, we’re probably going to keep going that way.”
Fans are not sure that’s a good idea, and they’ve proven it by showing the team an upswell is sales of Williams jersies. Others have created a web site that tracks the whereabouts of Williams and Williams’s girlfriend, Donna Vickers. “They’ve been together since high school said Gary Hammet, the creator of the site. “I figure Williams probably isn’t going anywhere without her.”