Scooter Returns to Edmonton Amid Great Fanfare (Hoppy Endings, pre FA 4 sim) [PP:2056.03]

[neugey]

Edmonton had their wintertime blues disrupted with joyful celebration. The man regarded as the greatest hitter in franchise history, one who has already been enshrined into the Grand Wilderness (the Jackrabbits Hall of Fame) has returned the franchise where it all started. Steven “Scooter” Collins III will once again don an Edmonton uniform and entertain fans in 2056.

The sweet-swinging 39-year-old agreed to a contract that pays him $3.3 million this year and could also pay him the same in 2057 and 2058 if Edmonton exercises their team options and Collins elects to hold off retirement. He will resume wearing #32, a reminder of the late 2030’s and 2040’s and the four championships that the Jackrabbits won in their heyday.

It's been an incredible journey in Scooter’s time away from Edmonton. He played for a series of teams, but never ended up leaving the Frontier Division. A one-year stint in Las Vegas was followed by three solid seasons with Boise. He was then traded to Mexico City for just a brief September stint. He then opted for free agency and signed a massive 5-year contract with Phoenix. Then 35 at the time, writers were critical of that contract with Collins and observed that it might have been an overpay by the Talons. But that critique came to a certain close in 2053 when Scooter led the Johnson in runs (122) and WAR (7.4) and sported a stunning .342/.386/.530. Since then, his hitting has started to tail off, but not too dramatically.

“It’s the feel-good story of this whole BBA offseason,” remarked BBA expert Lem Piker Sr. “A first overall draft pick returns home. Edmonton is absolutely buzzing with this news. We’ll have to see how much playing time Scooter earns in what is now quite a crowded 1B situation in Edmonton. But he should still see solid playing time against lefties, and even at this advanced age can still steal some bases and contribute some power for the Jackrabbits.”

The team held a special press conference to announce the reunion of player and team.
“When we put Scooter into the team Hall, I told him not to lose our number,” remarked GM Mike Bauer. “And indeed, we kept in contact as the seasons went on. And now the time is right. I can’t think of a better man and player to mentor some of our younger players as we look forward to our future.”

When Scooter’s time to speak came, he was first greeted with a standing ovation and big embraces with Bauer, owner Jim Leonard and manager Alonso Chavez. Taking the mic, Collins then spoke to the crowd.

“I’m so glad to be back here. But hey guys I did stay in the Frontier. Honest - I wasn’t trying to play for every rival in it,” said Collins as the room erupted with laughter. “I may have left Edmonton, but you all never left my heart.” Scooter then took a long pause and looked down as he struggled to fight off tears. When it was evident he was not yet ready to speak again due to immense emotion, the crowd took over again with a long series of applause.

“I think that’s all that needs to be said, really. I love you and I miss you. See you guys in spring training.”

[CTBrewCrew]

[jiminyhopkins]

Happy for Scooter. He was the reason we made the playoffs in '53.