Poblanotes 49.5- Pete Brace Writes Again
Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2022 3:23 pm
Dad,
Well, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, I'm back in the lineup. Ed Leialoha messed up his hamstring, so I got another chance to show what I can do out on the field.
The bad news is, what I can do isn't much. I just can't hit, Dad... I just can't. I've tried everything. I've looked at video until my eyes swam. I've hit in the cage until my hands looked like raw hamburger. Nothing helps. I start one swing too early and a breaking pitch makes me look like a spastic. Then I focus on keeping my weight back, and the next pitch is a fastball that gets by me before I can get my swing started. Could I have some undiagnosed illness; mono or something?
The other guys on the team try to be nice, but I know I'm not helping them win. I look at a guy like Hector Cano, and it all seems so smooth and natural to him, and I think, it used to be like that for me. Heck, I was a first-round draft pick. What happened to me that has made me unable to access the talent that I think is still in me somewhere?
I know the GM would like to find another option, but the trade deadline is coming up soon, and there aren't too many options out there as far as I can see. The latest is, that I might be put into a platoon situation with Ricardo Munoz. I mean, Rico's a nice guy, but he hit .223 in AAA this year. Is this my new level?
Sorry to put all this on you, Dad, but I just feel like I have to vent to someone. I feel like I'm letting you and Mom down; you had such big hopes for me. At least I've made some money; if all else fails I can come home, go back to school and get my teaching certificate, and coach somewhere. I still love baseball, even though it's not loving me back right now.
Your son,
Pete
Well, I've got good news and bad news. The good news is, I'm back in the lineup. Ed Leialoha messed up his hamstring, so I got another chance to show what I can do out on the field.
The bad news is, what I can do isn't much. I just can't hit, Dad... I just can't. I've tried everything. I've looked at video until my eyes swam. I've hit in the cage until my hands looked like raw hamburger. Nothing helps. I start one swing too early and a breaking pitch makes me look like a spastic. Then I focus on keeping my weight back, and the next pitch is a fastball that gets by me before I can get my swing started. Could I have some undiagnosed illness; mono or something?
The other guys on the team try to be nice, but I know I'm not helping them win. I look at a guy like Hector Cano, and it all seems so smooth and natural to him, and I think, it used to be like that for me. Heck, I was a first-round draft pick. What happened to me that has made me unable to access the talent that I think is still in me somewhere?
I know the GM would like to find another option, but the trade deadline is coming up soon, and there aren't too many options out there as far as I can see. The latest is, that I might be put into a platoon situation with Ricardo Munoz. I mean, Rico's a nice guy, but he hit .223 in AAA this year. Is this my new level?
Sorry to put all this on you, Dad, but I just feel like I have to vent to someone. I feel like I'm letting you and Mom down; you had such big hopes for me. At least I've made some money; if all else fails I can come home, go back to school and get my teaching certificate, and coach somewhere. I still love baseball, even though it's not loving me back right now.
Your son,
Pete
