quote:

by PG: I understand what beenthere means and his desire to help young kids. What if everyone followed that advice?

I don't mean to put words in BThere's mouth, but his beef has always simply been
"if everyone (or more) did that, MiLB would have to play a fair wage to maintain their labor pool"

Very well said FBM. For the record, I was in no way saying they did not realize the risks/benefits, or that they had/have not thought it out well...just that the ones that do make it, are not deterred by "realism"/perceived or otherwise. I just hope it is understood BT is not telling any specific person to quit...just a little sage (maybe gruff and generalized) advice from someone who has been there.

Have you ever seen a play in baseball that as it was happening you knew you would remember it the rest of your life? PGs post will be a Golden Thread and we knew it when we read it. Thanks.

quote:

Most low minor league roster spots are filled with players who MLB knows will never have a chance to get to the big leagues...but they'll (the kids) die trying.

I have been following this thread with great interest since our son was a 25th round pick who has spent the last week helping good friends and teammates, and some families, pack their belongings when they were released.
I don't have a problem with Beenthere and others describing how hard it is to make it. I have tried, in many of my posts, to describe the business of baseball and how much different it is from college, JC, high school and everything that precedes the draft.
Where I fundamentally disagree with Been is the idea of telling lower round picks to "get on with their life" and in assuming the players don't get it..that they will "die trying."
Personally, in talking with our son and some of his friends, I feel most every player in the minor leagues gets it. They play everyday knowing a "release" could be coming, in knowing decisions are made by others, and in recognizing the extent of their control is what they do between the lines, and sometimes even that isn't enough.
Professional baseball is unlike most any other "job."
Rarely do any of us come to work with the worry this day could be your last. If we did, how many of us could perform at our best?
I give these players tons of credit because they do perform at a very high level while being able to block out things they hear and read everyday which are not much different than what Been is posting.
While that meeting where they learn of the release is dreaded and the initial responses very emotional, I think most of these young men respond to that news in ways that would make us proud. Listening to our son talk about his teammates who left camp last week left me very reassured these are young men, with a lot of mental and emotional strength, who will integrate out of the life of professional baseball and become solid contributors to their family and community.

Infieldad, that is a great post.

All players get released, eventually. The only question is when.

Another great thing about baseball. It's the only job I know of in which you can get fired (released) and it will still look good on your resume.

And another thing, if you're not winning big money playing the game of golf, then quit playing! Face it, you're never going to be Tiger, you're wasting time and money, the golf courses and pro's giving lessons are taking your money!

if baseball is their dream, then they know they must work hard to attain that dream. there are many many people making a living in baseball. playing ,coaching etc.. the yankees hitting coach (this is killing me as i dislike the yankees) spent 9 yrs in the minors playing,9 years coaching and finally made it to the show. and he loved every minute of those 18 years. their are guys making 50 grand a year in the minors, not all that bad.

they are doing something most of us would have paid to do. just to have the chance to play pro, ball is quite an achievement. i think one of the greatest thing's in my son's baseball life is the card that say's so and so is a profesional baseball player. that speaks volumes. never give up the dream.

quote:

Originally posted by wvmtner:
Another great thing about baseball. It's the only job I know of in which you can get fired (released) and it will still look good on your resume.

LOL SO VERY TRUE!!!

Infielddad - Awesome post!

Great posts, great advice, and I especially like this part of shortstop's post:

"he said he has never been happier."

thanks for some very interesting reading here as the topic continues.
after reading this the MiLB transaction list caught my eye & guess I was still surprised by the sheer number of players, including a few websters .. for those sharing here it's obvious you're far from alone.

hoping that the event produces something positive for them, whether with another team or another direction in life

MiLB transactions

Thanks for the list. Saw a friend of my son on the list(true 5 tools-hit.300+ in minors...released to make room for bonus baby). He's under 6'. Smart, though, he has finished his education, has degree in hand. My heart goes out to those released, and to those who play everyday not knowing if it is their last. Absolutely, there is joy-in-the-journey living your dream day to day...as long as you can be the type to accept that someone who may or may not be a better player than you, may take your spot. It's goofy but realistic.
I have such a distaste for it, because it is absolutely true that many of those released could have "made it" given a level playing field.

Just to point out something... There are several big bonus, first round types on that list.

Also a large number of established players who have actually played in the Major Leagues.

CatSureMom,

I'm not douting you, but it is HIGHLY unusual that a true 5-tool player who hits over .300 in the minor leagues is ever released. The playing field is much more level than you might believe. Once a player reaches the professional level they have a chance. Of course, they highest draft picks get the best opportunity, that is because the club thought they were the best player to begin with. That is why they paid him so much to sign.

That said, performance is the most important ingredient in the end. That is why there are so many non high draft picks in the MLB. The Eckstien's pass up the big money guys based on performance and persistence.

One thing for sure... It aint easy!

The list is eye opening. While a "dreamer", I'm also a realist. I hope everyone is prepared (if you can truly ever be so) to get on with the next phase of their lives.

I'd be willing to bet some of those players have already been picked up by another club to continue their dream of playing ball for a living.

I also love wvmtner's line! There's no shame in getting released. They've already done more than most will ever have a chance to do.

I noticed Matt Harrington's name on the list for the the Cubs.

quote:

While a "dreamer", I'm also a realist.

Frank - great point - the two (dreaming/reality) do not necessarily have to be mutally exclusive.

There have been so many great posts in this thread

A couple of more thoughts.....

Baseball is the hardest game and inexplicable sometimes even to the most knowledgable... I see Corey Smith's name on the list and he also was a former first round pick by the Indians who never made it to the big leagues. In order to explain that pick, the Indians have now said they will be very reluctant in the future to ever draft an infielder from a Northern climate (Smith was from New Jersey). What they really need to do is try and draft the best players regardless imho...

Anyhoo... I have a theory I call the light-switch theory and I believe it applies to baseball perhaps more than any other sport. Obviously, there are some kids who are prodigious at an early age and go on to have hall-of-fame big league careers. Others it seems can take years to develop. The ugly duckling or the tortoise and the hare if you will. Sometimes, the ugly ducklings develop into swans and we do not know exactly who they are at this time. Sometimes, players suddenly get it. Things start to click later in their careers and they start to take off. Almost like a light-switch being turned on and everything suddenly makes sense. I say don't kill the swan before its time...

Here is a story from this morning's Cleveland Plain Dealer about a player Ryan Goleski who came within an eyelash of making the big leagues this spring. He seems to follow the pattern that I am talking about being a late bloomer. He is a position player (24th round pick) who has yet to give up.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plaindealer/index.ssf?/b...459302590.xml&coll=2

AHSpitcher17,

Young man keep chasing your dream but know this (which I'm sure you do), you're a winner and will be succesful and happy. The things you've said, the way you've contributed here and your attitude virtually assure it.

It's all good, though everyday it might not seem so!

Good luck.

PG, I also noticed those you mentioned on the list, but they were given a fair length of time. You are far too much of a gentleman for me to think you are doubting me...if it were my opinion only I would probably not have stated it the way it was. He was(is) a five tool player and he did indeed hit over .300 (cannot recall exact figure.) He, in particular, is not the point of my post, the fact that it does happen is really all. I would never, ever discourage the dream...precisely for the reason you and others have stated...it can happen. But MLB is not a level playing field...it is weighted, heavily towards the bonus boys and I do not think what they compensate (monthly) is proper for these kids who sacrifice so much, albeit eagerly and with great aspirations.
Shanes post spoke for itself, he's not done yet and good for him. Those of us who speak to realism feel great compassion for those dumped each year.
My son knows all these facts and he would still give his eye-tooth for a shot! I am not against anything here except for how hard MLB makes it financially for those not in the big money rounds.
I have nothing but admiration for every player and his family, big money or not, released or just drafted..it is still one of the greatest privileges in baseball.
Frankly, the sarcasm aimed at the gentlemen who attempt to realistically guide parents/players on this site is what fueled my original post. As I stated, no-one can take away a true dream, the guts or talent that it takes to get them where they want to be. The 5-tool (MLB's wording not mine) player I spoke of has his degree in hand and a job lined up. Smart.

The ability to land on ones feet, cat-like, when the inevitable happens sooner than later is so important. The guy my son followed in school just turned down a nice engineering job offer. He starts this season at AA Erie. Knowing you have someplace to go when they rip those cleats off is nice.