Talent, Used and Abused

 January in these parts can drive people to extremes.  You have those benighted fools who jump into Lake Michigan in the belief they’re polar bears and all those people who try to bring on hibernation through overeating.  I tend to confuse myself with Doctor Zhivago, walking the endless, snow-driven steppes in search of warmth.  My daughter prefers to look at her career stats while sitting in her apartment at Valpo.

She wanted us to know yesterday that there were only ten games in her college career where she didn’t get at least one hit.  She also feels like she could’ve had the Elmhurst career rbi record if for just a few days of decent weather.  Clare missed the mark by five, thanks in large part to the twenty rainouts junior and senior year.  But second place isn’t so bad.

Especially when you consider the travel coach who told her she wouldn’t hit much in college.  A real judge of talent, that man.  What I love about my daughter is she played her game the way you’re supposed, leaving everything she had on the field.  That way, there are no regrets, other than over the crappy spring weather, 2013-2014.

I doubt that Brian Anderson can say as much.  Anderson was held in such high regard by the White Sox they traded Aaron Rowand to make room for him.  Great judge of talent, that Kenny Williams.  A gifted centerfielder with a strong arm and above-average speed, Anderson either wouldn’t or couldn’t hit.  In 3-1/2 seasons with the Sox, it sure didn’t look like he cared much one way or the other.  The Sox traded Anderson away in 2009, and he hasn’t played the last two years due to injury.  He had been trying to come back as a pitcher.

And now the Sox have signed Anderson to a minor league contract.  He’s back as an outfielder and wants back in the bigs.  We’ll see if the head has finally caught up with the talent.