In the opening of "Bull Durham" Annie Savoy says "Sometimes it seems like a bad trade. But bad trades are part of baseball - now who can forget Frank Robinson for Milt Pappas, for God's sake? It's a long season and you gotta trust" This is a line that constantly pops in to my head because whether its the big leagues or the minor leagues, baseball is full of bad trades. Some times it is literally a bad trade like Robinson for Pappas or the Oakland A's trading away McGwire, but other times it is extra innings when you had dinner plans or spending months apart. The focus with professional sports is money, fame, and a luxurious lifestyle. You can ask any minor league baseball player, even the bonus babies, if life as an athlete is that simple. Its not. It is full of bad trades. These are the minor league (and sometimes major league) details that people often miss.
After the 9th inning announcers commonly say that the crowd is in for some "free baseball" and free is a good thing, right? I can't tell you how many times we had hopes of catching a late night movie or dinner before restaurants are closed and "free" baseball was all I got! Imagine sitting in the stands thinking you finally get a date night only to realize inning by inning, you don't. Most of the time this means I haven't eaten since about 1 o'clock when we had lunch before heading to the field to drop the boys off. I'm caught between eating over-priced, unhealthy, and generally gross ballpark food and growing hunger pains with every pitch. Definitely a bad trade.
Living in hotels and team set up housing must be nice, right? Wrong. It’s another bad trade here. This summer my time was spent sleeping on a mattress on the ground. Some had airbeds and some were really lucky and could rent a real bed from a local store. In most cases, several guys are living in a two bedroom apartment so a dining room turns into a bedroom. I've been lucky to always stay in a real bedroom but not everyone can say the same. A couch or tv is also a bonus, although tv's are temporary and have to be returned within 90 days. I made the mistake of trying to be a little "homey" and putting up a picture, air freshener, curtains, and flowers. They were nice touches but curtains don't look the same when they're held up with pushpins and tape, and flowers do not survive after a road stand. The real problem is that not only do the apartments lack any personal touch but the boys live out of two suitcases and a baseball bag from spring training on. If you think there is room for decorations much less pots and pans, you're crazy. Even if there were room, everyone knows it isn't practical since at any point you can change teams......"home is where they send you". At least half of the year is spent not knowing if you're coming or going and all the while, trying to perform your best in hope that the move is a good one. Again, bad trade.
Distance. I don't think this one even needs a full paragraph. Whether it's a wife, girlfriend, or family, the distance is easily one of the worst trades. Sure you get to create this new nomadic family, a band of gypsies, but everyone has someone they are away from. Some are lucky and have family that can visit or catch a game but many spend from Spring Training on without seeing those they care most about. I know military families deal with this same thing and for much longer periods, but that doesn't make it any easier. Having a 5 day sleepover with your roommate on the road is definitely not the ideal exchange for spending months away from loved ones.
Well at least there is the money right? Wrong. Minor league baseball does not pay well and the cost of living, dues, traveling, etc easily take away from whatever money might be left over. Signing bonuses can be helpful but unless you're on the fast track to the big leagues, they run out too. Being a teacher I fully understand what it means to live on a budget and think carefully about money, adding a professional athlete to the mix does not mean my days are now filled with drinks by the pool and shopping sprees! The big leagues make this lifestyle a little easier I'm sure but like Notorious BIG said, "mo money, mo problems" so we'll cross that bridge when we get there. I'll mark this trade down as questionable for the time being, knowing full well that it may never turn in to a good trade.
Last but not least, the fame. Baseball cards, autographs, team merchandise...this has to be a great trade. Not really. It might be nice to have someone ask you to sign something before a game but it is definitely not nice to be sitting in the stands and hear the fans when every pitch isn't a strike. People may know your name to cheer you on but they also know your name to heckle when you can't get a guy out or go 0-4. It's hard to hear that and not want to say something. There is also the downside of knowing that a bad outing shows up in the paper just like a good one and although there is more to the game than stats, that is all some people see. Having a team jersey auction is cool unless no one bids on your jersey. The organization’s top prospects will always take the top bids while some guys will be lucky to even get the minimum. Kind of puts you in your place. Baseball cards are definitely cool and even cooler when a deal is landed and a little money can be made. The part that isn't so fun is finding them on Ebay for 99 cents....not really on pace for the cover of Sports Illustrated!
Even with all of these bad trades, it only takes one good trade to make it all worth it: the big leagues. Within all of the burdens and inconveniences lies the possibility to play at the next level and it drives us all. Regardless of the motive for wanting to get there, getting there is goal. The thing I’ve found is that to keep pursuing that goal you have to look for the good trades, even when they are small ones. Without baseball I never would’ve been to most of the places I’ve been (Jackson, MS is not a tourist hotspot) or started my state magnet collection, which I know is nerdy but my students looked forward to coming back from breaks to see what new states I had added. Finding specialty cupcake shops or a good sushi place became mini adventures and when discovered, made new places feel more like home. We would not have met many of the amazing people who have welcomed us in for dinners and to live, been company in the stands, and offered insight through baseball chapel. I’ve learned more about the game than the sports I played myself and gained some great friends through teammates and their significant others. We’ve been able to be a part of some fun events like all-star games and soon a PAO conference. We’ve learned the importance of flexibility and communication and how to grow close together, even with miles between us.
Waking up every morning remembering that they are getting paid to play a child's game and are one of the lucky ones who has made it this far seems help put it in perspective. Not everyone can say at the end of their life that they pursued and accomplished their childhood dreams so being able to support that and watch it unfold is truly the most rewarding part. Sure there will be bad trades along the way, but it is a long season and you do have to trust that it will all work out.
