Life in the minors

That is a good article describing the day-to-day routine of making ends meet in lower levels. One player I know got to his Appy league team and found about 10 guys living in the locker room. He was asked more than once by well meaning, but casual fans when he was going to make to the "pros" (MLB).

I think the article describes the accommodations & lifestyle (minus the bus trips) for most young people fortunate enough to have any professional career.  Everybody has to start at the bottom unless your last name is Trump, Carnegie or Rockefeller.  I know I lived in some incredible dumps in Chicago, Albany, Buffalo, Philly, Hoboken and NYC but I wouldn't trade that experience for anything 

After talking to a few minor leaguers, I came away thinking the major difference between minor league baseball players and everybody else is the amount of downtime and what they do with it.    Some continue their education or learn new skills, and others have a lot of off the field fun.   Many of them are bored when they are not playing.

I guess I was fortunate in that I never had to live a lifestyle like the minor leaguers do.  Had a good job and a pretty decent apartment right out of college. My wife and I...both engineers...had it pretty good I guess.

One thing that happens in triple-A...maybe a little bit in double-A too...is that there is a mix of "veterans"...many with MLB experience...who are being paid quite well (over $100K in many cases, over $1M in some cases) and the up-and-comers who still haven't hit the big paychecks.

I have not detected from our son that this is a big problem...but its gotta be at least a little tough to be living in "affordable housing" while teammates are living in a condo on the golf course (both true on our son's team last year).

From a show chronicling six D'backs AAA prospects a few years ago .... Carlos Quentin on being handed his per diem money for a MLB road trip after being called up, "Damn! The per diem money is more than my AAA paycheck!"

My son has a friend in AAA making about 150K, not on the 40 anymore. Once you go to the show and not on a ML roster the pay scale becomes better in ML. Free agents with ML/40 or minor league free agents get better pay. 

Interesting to note, many of the latin players get help from the latin big leaguers who want to see them succeed. They help with housing and clubhouse dues so they can live a bit better and send money home to help their families.

Life in the minors ended for my son last Friday. He was released. No regrets, no ill feelings just acceptance. Took me a few days to post this but wanted the people who have followed him and rooted for him to know. I want to thank each and everyone of you for the support the last ten years when I came on here when he was 14 trying to make the HS baseball team.)

So many wonderful memories and a few not so but we are choosing to focus on all the good things baseball brought to our family and esp my son.

He is in a very good place, and read to go on to the next phase of his life. Today he wrote his resume.

Learned so much about how it really is and its staggering. Especially for a non drafted Free agent.He wouldn't trade any of it for a minute. He is the man he is for all the time and work put into baseball.

They say:  They will tell you at 18,they will tell you at forty, but one day they will tell you that you aren't going to play anymore. His day came at 23.19 years of baseball in our lives,cant say I wont miss it, but am excited for what's next for him. He is a wonderful son, impeccable work ethic, and doesn't give up. Those and other wonderful attributes will help him in his life and I am excited to see what God brings

next.He has his degree from USC and is so glad he finished.

Thanks to each and everyone of you from my first post to this one for the support and friendship you brought.

Best of luck to all the boys /men returning to the game in a few weeks. I will be looking out for them and hope they beat the odds Their makeup is off the chart to be in this game after HS or college.

Fan

Fan, congratulations.

That might seem a strange salutation given the nature of your post, but I think it is actually the most appropriate say thing to say right now.

Congratulations for raising a young man in the game of baseball, and understanding what it offered to teach him how to succeed in life.

Congratulations for the success your son had in baseball, which is way beyond all but a small percentage of those who ever catch a ball in a game of organized baseball at any level.

Congratulations for what I know, from your posts over the years on this board, that you have raised as a son who wore the uniform with class, and for what you have offered to the folks here.

Your son and my son are the same age. I know precisely what you and our son have been through. And I know that even when it ends, the whole journey is worth it for what is builds in your son.

Congratulations!

Rob

Congrats indeed.  No doubt these positive attributes can be tied somewhat to the game and largely to mom.

Best wishes on the next phase of life for your son and I do hope you continue to contribute here.  A post from Fan is always positive, uplifting and insightful.

Fanofgame, what a wonderful, positive postscript on your son's baseball career.  I am saddened to hear his baseball story has ended but his story of life has just begun.  All through the years I have loved your posts and I know your son has no regrets because he gave it his all..

..and left it between the lines.

God Speed.  And stay our friend.

Rob - awesome post!

fanofgame is a great person and my friend.  We've only met over the phone but she and her husband were kind enough to attend one of my son's games in California.  It is a very small world.  At the upper levels as fanofgame's son has experienced, you start to realize what a small group of people we are talking about and how special they are.  It's no accident that many of us here at the hsbbweb know each other and follow each other's sons. 

She has much to be proud and thankful for and I wish her and her family all the best.  If a little, and I mean a "very little" bit of luck would have gone her son's way, he would be on a path to the big leagues someday.  Perhaps that path will still materialize.  Either way, her son will be in the "big leagues" of whatever endeavor he chooses to follow.  I know that because he has displayed a "big league" attitude his entire life.

Well done fanofgame and well done Matt! 

Great post, I think RK hit it right on the head, can't top that so I won't even try.

Any chance you can talk him in to joining the HSBBW team now?  I am sure he has a plethora of knowledge that a lot of us would like to pluck from him, just a thought.

Fan, this statement says it all for me...

Yes, milb can be a brutally tough endeavor, however the blood, sweat and tears a player puts into their baseball can help mold them and will provide valuable life experiences for years to come.  It sounds like your son gave it his all and seems to have no regrets...as a baseball parent aside from making it to the "show", I guess that is all we can hope for.  

So yes, congratulations are certainly in order to you and your son! 

Best of luck to all the boys /men returning to the game in a few weeks. I will be looking out for them and hope they beat the odds

Fan...your son already beat the odds and accomplished what so many will not. That he will always have. This game has a way of molding men that is unique.

fan, Wow how time does fly.  From your earliest posts when it appeared Matt's best option would be a D3 in Oregon until now, Matt's experience in baseball has been truly awesome.  In my view, it would be wonderful for many who are new to this site to understand and appreciate the options which seemed limited at once, the talent and skills Matt possessed which opened other options, including the D1 in Stockton measured against the JC, and finally his being accepted at USC something like 1-2 days before school started. Quite a journey with success at every point, due to talent and lot's of hard work and sacrifice by Matt and Mom and Dad too.

Over the years I have been lucky to watch many talented players at Sunken Diamond. Matt and jemaz' son are two who stand out for me.  As I posted a few years back, Matt played the game so well, competed the right way and could hit with a toothpick. What a gorgeous swing.

Having had our son experience this "release" news a few years back, it sure seems tough right now.  Time really does make a difference. Yesterday, our son posted a picture of our  smiling 15 month old grandson on FB. He had just put on  his first baseball glove...a nice little Mizuno beauty(his first name is Derek to sort of emphasize the baseball aspects). My very first thought was get the glove out of storage, get it oiled and the time will start again to "have" a catch.

I know you won't forget all that Matt accomplished in baseball and outside of baseball. Whatever Matt has done, I would expect, will pale when compared with what he will do with all that he learned from his journey.

Congratulations!

Bill

fanofgame, I am usually not at a loss for words, having just gone through this with my son. I have to say it still tugs at my heart a little, but I know that our sons did beat the odds.  What an incredible experience they have had and how it will forever be a part of who they are. Not many get the chance and oh what an incredible journey their baseball paths have taken us on!!!!!!

fog:

Best of luck to your son. (and you and the rest of the fog clan)  I enjoyed meeting you and bsbl247 two years ago at Dodger stadium. How time fly's.

Your son is now off on a new journey with a very nice degree from USC and a lot of great memories. Really does not get much better than that!

I particularly like your grounded wisdom here, which I hope continues. 

Congrats on job well done!

PS: Infielddad I am guessing it was a RH glove!

Fan - thanks for all your positivity and inspiration.  Your open writing and foremost your passion for sharing has meant a lot to me over the years, especially since I share with you a son trying to cut through the undrafted free agent challenges. 

I believe as others have shared that your son will be a success in the biggest game of life because of your and his outlook.

I think what I look forward to the most anymore with my son is not so much his baseball experiences, but his perception of worth he has for himself, outside of the game he plays.  He is getting married next December and I look forward to that.  What I am really curious to watch is if he ever has a son, and how he will approach the game of baseball with his offspring.  I think that will be an indication if what we did to encourage him in baseball wore the right way with son.  Hard to explain what I am talking about, but I think I wonder at times if we pushed too much and I want to see how that manifests in his own children.

I too hope Fan you stay active on here, love your style.  God bless to you and your son! 

Wow what nice responses and heartfelt. Thank you. Rob beautiful words and infielddad your memory is very good Always felt you were a fan of Matts as many on here. Matt always hit the ball well there. but that's what has made this site so good. We really follow the kids on here and feel connected to them and their families.

Fan:

I watched your son play several times. He is damn good. I know you are proud of him. He will remain a baseball player, a competitor and an outstanding man, I am sure. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors and thanks for sharing all of this here today.

fanofgame, 

Sounds like your son played a lifetime of baseball and lived his dream. As many have said, not many get to where he got and experienced what he experienced. Best of luck to your son. It sounds like he is well grounded and has a bright future. Our journey is just about to begin with our son, as he is a junior in HS and has verbally committed to a mid major. I hope to see you and the other old timers stick around to help us others out when we run into some difficult questions. Thank you for sharing. You have a lot to be proud of.

Fan,

I can't imagine what you are going through. It must be hard after a lifetime of baseball memories that are mostly positive and now, not so much. 

Remember that your son has done what very few get to do, and done it in a way that you should be very proud of as I'm sure you are.

I am married to a Trojan, and that USC degree means a lot in this world. To be a part of that tradition and a student athlete, is more than most could ever ask for. Trust me, he will be a Trojan for life! Fight On! All the best to you and your family!

Thanks Jemaz. Appreciate the kind words. best of luck for your son this year.

Hunter10 Congrats on the commitment. Enjoy it!!  Ill still be here willing to help.Baseball is a part of me forever.

Picked off: He is loving being an alumni, he went to the bowl game in Vegas. He goes down to So cal at least twice a year to visit. I think he ends up there eventually. Thanks for the kind words

I have great memories, and am so glad he got his degree!!!!!

Thanks for sharing fanofgame. I hope you and your son always live up to your HSBW ID.

Just saw this fanofgame.  Disappointed to read about it, but a beautiful post by you.

All the best to Matt.  He's already proven what a great young man he is.  I gotta believe there's only better things to come! 

Good luck to you and your son... It was an adjustment for me when son left baseball...but he feels like his life has just begun..hope you're son feels the same

Waiting for the Spring Training letter to appear in our mailbox. Hoping it arrives before assignments.

fanofgame, sorry to hear about your son.Your posts chronicling his journey as a non drafted free agent showed just how tough the business of baseball really is.Even for a player like Matt who is a very good hitter,and proved himself with the limited chances that were given to him.

His degree from USC and all of those years working hard on the baseball field will take him far.That I'm sure ! Hopefully, you will hang around HSBBW and continue to post from time to time.

Good luck to your son !

Here's the thing.

There aren't enough jobs to fill for all the guys out there that can hit or pitch.

Son just got done playing winter ball, most of the guys he played with were really good, I mean really good, and can't get signed, even the FA guys with ML experience.

Don't take it personally, the market in this business is tough right now, for everyone.

And keep in mind that those guys who blog are just guys who blog, they are not coaches or managers, scouting directors, pitching or hitting coordinators, or the guys in the front office who make those big decisions.

FAN,

I just read your post from the 8th.  I'm sorry about hearing of Matt's release.  He's an amazing hitter & I enjoyed watching him play.  I wish him the best in his future endeavors, Fight On!  Also, I want to thank you very much for all of the encouragement that you gave me during my son's recruiting journey, you were a tremendous help. Please stick around & continue to share your wisdom on this board with other parents.

Having recently moved out of state and getting settled, I haven't been on this site for some time.  So, please accept my belated response.  Like others, I'm sad to hear that Matt was released.  I know from the few brief times I talked with him after some games that he's indeed a fine young man and that he'll do just fine as he begins this new chapter in his life.  Tell Matt hi for me and I hope we get a chance to see each other again at some future college alumni function.

ThanksTruman,

thanks for the PM

Fan,

Been away from HSBBWeb since son stopped playing. I know Matt handled his release like a gentleman. He was/is an excellent ball player and son. I wish him the best in the next chapter of life. The sadness of not seeing him play baseball wears off over time.

Most of all, thank you for being my friend and your support.

Please let us know how he is doing.

Your friend,

Pop up.

I just thought I'd drop by and see how everyone is doing. Since my son college ball last season it has been SO HARD getting up motivation to come here and read, post. I'm ALMOST over it now! lol

Sorry to hear about Matt FOG...but, I'm sure his next chapter will be filled with great happiness and blessings from God.

YGD

Thanks YGD.
Glad your feeling better about things. It is an adjustment after 19 years for anyone. Glad to see you post.

Hope all is well with your son.

My son (Chris) is off to another weekend of baseball. Talking this morning with my wife (and daughter) when the term "projectable" came up, I Googled it, found a blog on this site and just happened upon the Jan,8 post by fanofgame. Brought a tear, seriously.. Today was a rare day that I didn't travel to the game as my business is slow, I have to put in some work.  I also argued with my son who at times seems less interested than I for his success at least when it comes to daily workout routines. Well, "He's only 14" is what I here from coaches but he is also 6'4", 185 lbs, a "projectable" body. I know a few athletes, some professional yet can only imagine the work ethic needed for success of any level always carrying that dream of reaching the top. I get frustrated yet try to believe the coaches must know something when pointing out his age and hearing "in time" etc.. Fanofgame, I have also become a fan and as your son departs, my son enters... Any advice is always appreciated and God Bless the boys future.. 

BigDream,

Welcome to the HSBBW.

My suggestion, don't argue with your son as to what you think that he should and he shouldn't do. He is only 14.  Listen to the coaches when they say he has time, because he does.  You can't expect someone his age to understand how much work needs to be put into it, and I say let him be a kid and enjoy being a kid.

Unfortunately, right now, your BigDream isn't his BigDream.  The next step should be making the HS team. Enjoy this time, trust me, you will someday look back and wish that you hadn't worried so much about the future.

JMO

 +1

Sage advice from TPM.

It will become clear to him in due time what price he needs to pay to keep advancing in baseball. He may decide to pay it, and he may not. But pushing him at this point probably decreases the likelihood that he eventually decides the price is worth it.

All a parent can do is provide opportunity, they either have the drive or they don't

BigDream,

Welcome to the site.  I agree with above advice. You cant force it. There are kids who can get by on natural abilities only for so long. Eventually they have to want it enough themselves to get after it.

  Your talking to parents on here who have players some who have reached the MLB.Some minor leagues, many high profile colleges.

 These people have lived it, breathed it, the game of baseball becomes more exclusive at each level.

  I haven't seen good results from dads, or moms over the years who have pushed their sons.More times than not I have seen detrimental results even scarring the relationship.

 We never had to push with baseball, our son had to work hard to compete.

You will know soon enough if  he has the desire and love of the game to push to new heights.It is a lot of work, a lot of sacrifices.

Build a relationship with your son of mutual respect and love. When baseball is over and it will end for 99.9 percent you don't want a fractured relationship at the end of it.

I cherish our son. He is a beautiful young man. Baseball is over for him. The adjustment seemed like it was meant to be.

I am very glad we never let baseball dictate our love for one another. Make sure your son knows no matter what he chooses you will be there and support him. Love him unconditionally no matter what happens on the field.

So true. You can't push a rope.

Good reply Fan, so true. I still say in order to make to the bigs, at age 14 they are already driven, have goals set. They don't spend much time hanging out or doing video brain wasters, or girlfriends. I have read books about pro players and they are not your average live for today teenagers.

I will say this until my last breath, our son had the talent and ability, he chose early on to get by on that,, by college it wasn't enough to get looked at. Baseball (MLB) is like a fraternity, bloodlines are considered first, they look at parents, were they athletes  in college.

And it takes only one person in the know to say "he isn't projectable, or doesn't accept instruction"..

I know this is old ... but one of the best threads I have read on this site ...actually misted me up a bit ...  As a parent of a young player ... everyone's advice is so amazing, honest and heartfelt on this site ... I look forward to being a part of this community for a long time!

Thank You All!

Matt

I saw this thread bumped, so figured it's as good a time as any for an update on my son. A week age Saturday he had a violent collision in the outfield with the centerfielder. The CF was knocked out cold, his head collided with my son's left shoulder, separating the AC joint. 

The CF had a bad concussion, and is expected to return in another week or so. My son's  season is over. He can still barely move the arm. 

What it means for his future is TBD. It's disappointing for him, because after a very slow first 15 games in May, he had very good June and July, and was starting to play catcher again as well, which was his best route to affiliated ball. (He plays in the independent Frontier League.)

It was a scary time for his mom and I listening the the game broadcast as he and the CF were down, taken off the field in a stretcher.

Life in the minors can change in a heartbeat.

Rob, we're praying for a return to good health for your son.

Rob, wow, that story hits home.  In addition to the prayers, best HSBBW karma, and anything else that may bring your son a quick recovery and good fortune going forward.

Rob,

Sorry to hear about the injury.

Hopefully he will make a full recovery and have a big year.  I believe he deserves a shot and hope that happens, but if it doesn't happen his accomplishments are something to be very proud of.

Rob,

My son also plays in the Frontier League and I read about the collision.  I so hate that it was a season ending injury for your son. I hope that he has a full speedy recovery and can get back to where he was at this point.  Good thoughts and blessings his way!

Thanks, all.

Southernmom - which team does your son play for?

Rob,

He plays for Traverse City Beach Bums.  Will Rankin.  I looked to see if he faced your son and he came in the game right after your son was at bat.  Your son's stats are crazy good!!!!

TPM, I hate to say how bad I am at remembering who's son is who, but what is Bum's son's name?

TPM thanks!  Small world, especially when it comes to baseball.

Rob, so sorry to hear about Jeff.  Hoping for a quick recovery and that he can get back on the field soon!