A Statue of Loyalty (part 2)

What do Jim Palmer, Tony Gwynn, Johnny Bench, and Carl Yastrzemski have in common other than all being Hall of Fame baseball players? Hmm? It's not that they represent different parts of the nation, different races, even different positions—and even different leagues. All true, but not what I have mind.

So let’s add to the list and see if you can figure it out: Kirby Puckett, Cal Ripken, Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Mike Schmidt, Edgar Martinez, and Mariano Rivera

Okay, give up? Well, according to MLB.com, these gents are all guys who, after free agency, remained with their teams throughout—and they are the top position players. I’ll leave it to you to figure out which positions (but add the DH). I must also add George Brett as an Honorable Mention.

Basically all of them were offered big money to leave their team that brought them up to the big leagues—and all of them turned down the offers, stayed with their teams and all of them are or will be the statues you pass as you enter their prospective ballparks.

Of course, there were the greats who played before free agency, but they had no choice to stay with their teams. Then there are the guys who were traded against their will, think of Jackie Robinson who was dealt to the hated Giants, and who refuse to accept the trade and retired instead. We don’t have to have a statue for #42…because of his greatness, no one wears his uniform number any longer.

These players that MLB listed are the all-star loyalty team. They are the embodiment of their cities. They are beloved by the fans, young and old. They put family ahead of an even bigger paycheck. Sure, there are others who played with only one team, but these were the ones that were coveted by the other cities with deeper pockets Many stayed for their children’s education, for continuity, because they already felt they made enough money—but in the end many simply stayed because they were M. Padre; Yaz; the Big Red Machine; the Killer Bees…and one even stayed put despite the fickle fans who booed him despite his greatness.

So what’s the big deal? I mean, players have the right to go where the money is and make as much as they can in

the time that they have right? Yes. True. But baseball is a different animal. It has guaranteed contracts, unlike the NFL. Players have a longevity that is much more significant than other sports along with rosters larger than other sports. And it has tradition. It began in the late 1800’s—and for cryin out loud, it is America’s pastime! Thirty cities hope to go to the World Series. Chicago waited 100 years (I think it was longer, but what’s a decade to them?) And one more thing: a player makes the minimum of $450,000—and that is a whole lot more than a beginning teacher’s 45 K (in California—32K in some states.)

So my point is we fans ask that at least the players who ‘are the face of a club’ remain that face. Sometimes it is player greed, sometimes a team’s cheap ownership, sometimes it is a player who just knows his days are numbered and goes to another team just to extend his career. Fortunately, many of those players come back to their roots and give back to their cities—Trevor Hoffman is a perfect example.

I appreciate that. These guys do so much for the community and set an example for kids. I am sure my readers can list a dozen players that abandoned their town, they were guns for hire, and every team making a pennant run often needs one of these gunslingers, but they are off to the next buyer and …no statues of them will ever appear in from of the old ballpark.

And don’t even get me started when it comes to the rich owners who pick up their team and ‘bolt’ out of town (after

50+ years). 

I few weeks ago I wrote about the Mr. Trump’s strange demands of loyalty. Naturally, the unprecedented departures from his administration make one wonder about the price of Trump’s never-contradict-me blind loyalty. However, this article is about a far more important loyalty—the loyalty of a baseball player to the town he represents and the uniform worn. (I know baseball isn’t REALLY more important that serving our nation…but it is a lot more fun.) 

So loyalty is something I think about. The words “for better or worse, in sickness and health…” are a part of one of the most sacred oaths many take. Commitment. Sticking through tough times. Having another’s back. Sacrifice. Selflessness. These are not the words that come to mind in sports,  in the workplace, and sadly, in marriage.. And certainly not in this White House.

Hopefully this column makes it’s readers think more about the state of loyalty…as we pass the statues of ballplayers as a new season begins.

So Play Ball …and hope the 'stars' stick around, Your city needs you and so do the fans.

For the MLB article go to : http://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2018/02/22/266645328/null