Clare
sent a video clip of the girl who pitched herself into a scholarship last
weekend atg the Valpo camp. Holy Cow,
did she hum that pea! If players dream
of something like this happening, coaches do, too. One minute, you’re just trying to get through
the day with a bunch of wannabes and then, Pop!
Who’s throwing so hard? And two
years from now, your pitching needs are all taken care of. Even better, it didn’t cost a dime in airfare
to check the prospect out.
The
pros don’t bank on such serendipity, although in a way, I wish they did. Teams send scouts half way around the world
to look for anyone who can pitch or hit, but in Chicago they don’t care much
about the talent around Chicago.
Consider that Jim Thome of Peoria was drafted in the 13th
round (!) while both the Sox and Cubs passed on Gary Gaetti (from downstate
Centralia) when either of them could have drafted him in the first round. And then we have the Cubs passing on
Chicago’s own Kirby Puckett in the first round to take the immortal Troy
Afenir.
If
Jackie Robinson had played for the Chicago American Giants instead of the
Kansas City Monarchs, he still would’ve broken in with the Brooklyn
Dodgers. It’s just the way we do things
around here, regardless of color.
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