You guys saying he doesn't deserve it do realize that all of baseball is a publicity thing don't you? Baseball history is full of guys who were either publicity stunts or had other stuff that made them more interesting to a team.
Eddie Gadel -Pure publicity stunt.
Minnie Minoso- Did get a hit in 8 ab in 1976, and was good enough still to be considered for a minor league appearance when over 60.
Pete Gray - WWII replacement, he might have gotten a brief run, but not a whole season. He was good enough, and the Browns needed the attendance a good story would bring.
Curtis Pride- Deaf, and a lifetime 250 hitter. He was up and down for 11 years. Talented for sure, but would he have played so long or gotten a chance without the nice story?
Lou Brissie- Certainly good enough before the leg, marginal once he actually got the the big leagues. I can't imagine him staying in the bigs after his two good years without being good PR.
Jim Abbott - Incredibly talented, but how many players get directly into the majors? Would that have happened for a guy with similar talent but no PR value?
And more recently guys have left the big leagues because of PR after excellent careers. Barry Bonds, Palmero,
These days a player with bad PR will have trouble staying on a team unless he's incredible.
There are even players who did very well but only got ANY chance at all because of connections. Mike Piazza, drafted last as a favor to A childhood friend of Lasorda. And that despite great talent and what would be considered amazing advantages like personal coaching by Ted Williams. He did pretty well.
Plus he's not "taking the spot of someone more deserving" or getting a second chance that's undeserved. He's getting one at bat.
Steve B
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