2061-003: Talons Take One Of The Greatest BBA Players of All Time and Banish Him to Their AAA Hellscape in Surprise, AZ

[jiminyhopkins]

Greater Central Arizona Regional Metropolitan Area, Mountain Time Zone, United States--

Angel Zalapa.

Drafted 5th overall back in 2033 (yes, before the supercharged drafts later in that decade), the native of Nicaragua got his start in Valencia with the Stars. Later on, after establishing himself as a perennial All Star, Zalapa began an odyssey that would eventually span 25 major league seasons with 8 different teams, a few of which he played for more than once. In his career, the sure-fire Hall of Fame inductee amassed nearly 3500 hits, over 700 home runs, 2100 RBI, and over 90 WAR. Whats more, he led nearly every team he's ever played for to the post season at least once (sorry, Long Beach).

Always a keen negotiator, he managed to engineer an opt-out or a player option on almost every deal he ever signed, leading to a staggering $650,000,000 worth of contracts coming his way over the years. Teams were always willing to pay, right up until the very end. He was so legendary, for so long, that Zalapa even got over $6,000,000 as a grizzled 45-year-old who could barely play.

Despite his acumen in contract negotiations, he never acted like a superstar. He wasn't exactly humble - after all, he is one of the best ever to play - but he wasn't arrogant, either. He didn't seek the spotlight, even though it found him. In fact, Zalapa has always been just as content with an afternoon of fishing as he was playing under the bright lights. So that might, maybe just might, explain his rather interesting career choice after he announced his retirement.

Yep, he's a hitting coach now. Is anyone really surprised? He'll make a good one for sure, no doubt. Oh, and speaking of surprises, that's where he is coaching. Surprise. As in Arizona, 10 miles northwest of Phoenix, home of the Talons. The Surprise Talons.

Why the Talons? We asked him.

"Why not?" was his reply.

Go Talons!

[Dington]

Here’s to another 25 years coaching!

[RonCo]

Did someone say Hellscape?