.
And the debate goes on...
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3406790
cadDAD
.
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
I find it interesting that no one has made comment regarding this post.
I wish the young man much luck but I do have a question.
Is this discussed prior to the draft, with teams and the Navy? It does seem, to me, IMO, if he was drafted high and not able to sign, someone else missed a spot and the scout recommending him and teh team went on the assumption he would be released from his commitment.
I wish the young man much luck but I do have a question.
Is this discussed prior to the draft, with teams and the Navy? It does seem, to me, IMO, if he was drafted high and not able to sign, someone else missed a spot and the scout recommending him and teh team went on the assumption he would be released from his commitment.
.
This in last week's Boston Globe on one of the Army (West Point) grad's who was drafted last year:
http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/baseball/articles...p1=email_to_a_friend
cadDAD
.
This in last week's Boston Globe on one of the Army (West Point) grad's who was drafted last year:
http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/baseball/articles...p1=email_to_a_friend
cadDAD
.
He was brought up to AAA this year, then sent to low A. His stats are not reflected on the SLBees stats.
I also see he has pitched 2 innings this season (last time a month ago) and on the DL.
The article doesn't really answer my question, but does open a whole set of new ones.
I also see he has pitched 2 innings this season (last time a month ago) and on the DL.
The article doesn't really answer my question, but does open a whole set of new ones.
As a USNA Alum, I feel he should be allowed to play pro ball. He will still serve his country.
Actually I as asking aobut the current player from Navy originally.
In other words, will a team take a chance on a possible high pick if he can't go. Is this a discussion when they sit with a scout?
In other words, will a team take a chance on a possible high pick if he can't go.
Correct me if I am wrong, but can't they sign him, and not have him play until released from his committment?
Also, it is my understanding, that a high percentage of graduates from Navy and Air Force do not ever get commissioned or serve because there are not enough officer vacancies for them. Please correct me if I am misinformed on this.
Also, it is my understanding, that a high percentage of graduates from Navy and Air Force do not ever get commissioned or serve because there are not enough officer vacancies for them. Please correct me if I am misinformed on this.
.
Redbird5...
You obviously don't post at Midshipmen.com (Scout). They are absolutely brutal over there, and call Campbell, Mitch Harris, Matt Dingha, etal, everything from deserter to coward/traitor. It is certainly a heated topic. I do know that there are some very high powered Madison Avenue executives advising TPTB at that irregularly shaped building in DC, that the positive aspects of Academy grads playing ball significantly outweigh the naysayers.
And TPM, yes of course the first thing scouts ask, as they do with any potential draftees, is... the topic of "signability". In cadKID#1's case, he dropped 10 rounds from 5 to 15, because the AF said, "let's wait until he gets drafted to see if there is even an issue..." We got calls at the end of Day 1 saying he was going first thing in the morning (Round 5), but cold feet prevailed when there was "a wait and see" answer as to his signability.
The big fight right now is that West Point has an "Alternative Service Option" (play and work as a recruiter in the off-season) and USNA and USAFA do not. Many see that as an unfair recruiting tool unto itself.
I can tell you that NOT ONE of the kids involved in any of these discussions is in ANY WAY trying to get out of their obligation to country. You would never have gotten thru the Academy(s) if that was the case. They simply want a chance to play, hopefully bring prestige to their alma mater, help to recruit future scholar/athletes to the Academies, and even to help with recruiting in the general service ranks. And even when that's done, most are willing to go back and serve their original commitment.
CPLZ... yes there are too many kids graduating from USAFA and associated ROTC/AF and in the past several years, Reductions in Work Force have occured, but usually after 2 years of young 2ndLTs sitting around waiting to get trained. The SecNav released his opinion on the "2 years ActiveDuty, and trade the last 3 for 6 Reserves Option" recently, and stated that as long as USMA (West Point) is short of LTs, that Naval Academy grads need not apply for the '2 and Out' as they would rather see them cross commission and go Army. Not many takers on that suggestion. So it will be interesting to see how they react if Harris goes high in the Draft. And is MLB willing to take the risk of never seeing a kid in a ball uniform?
And another interesting Boston Globe article about the quality of these kids:
http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/baseball/articles...p1=email_to_a_friend
cadDAD
.
Redbird5...
You obviously don't post at Midshipmen.com (Scout). They are absolutely brutal over there, and call Campbell, Mitch Harris, Matt Dingha, etal, everything from deserter to coward/traitor. It is certainly a heated topic. I do know that there are some very high powered Madison Avenue executives advising TPTB at that irregularly shaped building in DC, that the positive aspects of Academy grads playing ball significantly outweigh the naysayers.
And TPM, yes of course the first thing scouts ask, as they do with any potential draftees, is... the topic of "signability". In cadKID#1's case, he dropped 10 rounds from 5 to 15, because the AF said, "let's wait until he gets drafted to see if there is even an issue..." We got calls at the end of Day 1 saying he was going first thing in the morning (Round 5), but cold feet prevailed when there was "a wait and see" answer as to his signability.
The big fight right now is that West Point has an "Alternative Service Option" (play and work as a recruiter in the off-season) and USNA and USAFA do not. Many see that as an unfair recruiting tool unto itself.
I can tell you that NOT ONE of the kids involved in any of these discussions is in ANY WAY trying to get out of their obligation to country. You would never have gotten thru the Academy(s) if that was the case. They simply want a chance to play, hopefully bring prestige to their alma mater, help to recruit future scholar/athletes to the Academies, and even to help with recruiting in the general service ranks. And even when that's done, most are willing to go back and serve their original commitment.
CPLZ... yes there are too many kids graduating from USAFA and associated ROTC/AF and in the past several years, Reductions in Work Force have occured, but usually after 2 years of young 2ndLTs sitting around waiting to get trained. The SecNav released his opinion on the "2 years ActiveDuty, and trade the last 3 for 6 Reserves Option" recently, and stated that as long as USMA (West Point) is short of LTs, that Naval Academy grads need not apply for the '2 and Out' as they would rather see them cross commission and go Army. Not many takers on that suggestion. So it will be interesting to see how they react if Harris goes high in the Draft. And is MLB willing to take the risk of never seeing a kid in a ball uniform?
And another interesting Boston Globe article about the quality of these kids:
http://www.boston.com/sports/colleges/baseball/articles...p1=email_to_a_friend
cadDAD
.
AC,
Not sure how anyone can tell anyone when they are going to be drafted. But I can see how a team would not want to pick at 5 if they might not sign.
I don't read midshipman.com only what you post, and if anyone wants to play ball, that's their biz if they are allowed to by those higher up. However, am I under the impression that if they are a valuable recruiting tool, aren't former players, boosters, alumni not allowed to be in the recruiting process just like every other D1 school?
Also, with your son being in his second season, I am sure that he realizes just like most do, it's a long shot and could take years, so are they relieved from their commitment for awhile, I could see the academies telling kids if they get drafted than they would have x # of years to come back or repay their education.
On another note, I am not sure if this is correct, but don't taxpayers pay for someone to attend school? If so, you can see how this might press buttons, so it is a hot topic for many, even those who love the game of baseball. If this is a dream they have had to play ball, maybe they should be encouraged NOT to attend the service academies? I am just trying to figure out what would be teh right thing in this case.
CPLZ,
That wouldn't be a good idea, it's very hard to go away from the game and come back to play. A 25+ year old can't come back to play rookie ball with 17,18 year olds. However, maybe giving them a certain time frame to try to accomplish their dream and state those rules instead of tiptoeing around may be a better solution for all parties involved.
Not sure how anyone can tell anyone when they are going to be drafted. But I can see how a team would not want to pick at 5 if they might not sign.
I don't read midshipman.com only what you post, and if anyone wants to play ball, that's their biz if they are allowed to by those higher up. However, am I under the impression that if they are a valuable recruiting tool, aren't former players, boosters, alumni not allowed to be in the recruiting process just like every other D1 school?
Also, with your son being in his second season, I am sure that he realizes just like most do, it's a long shot and could take years, so are they relieved from their commitment for awhile, I could see the academies telling kids if they get drafted than they would have x # of years to come back or repay their education.
On another note, I am not sure if this is correct, but don't taxpayers pay for someone to attend school? If so, you can see how this might press buttons, so it is a hot topic for many, even those who love the game of baseball. If this is a dream they have had to play ball, maybe they should be encouraged NOT to attend the service academies? I am just trying to figure out what would be teh right thing in this case.
CPLZ,
That wouldn't be a good idea, it's very hard to go away from the game and come back to play. A 25+ year old can't come back to play rookie ball with 17,18 year olds. However, maybe giving them a certain time frame to try to accomplish their dream and state those rules instead of tiptoeing around may be a better solution for all parties involved.
Great article. Everyone who has an opinion on USMA's "pro service option" should take a moment and hear it from someone who's lived it and has it in perspective.
The short answer is yes. But isn't that true of any scholarship athlete or academic aid student attending a public university?
The idea is to attract the best of the best. I see the pro service option as helping that cause, not depleting it. I'd be proud to have Lt. Williamson lead my son into battle any day. He's living proof of the caliber of person the pro service option is intended to attract. Huaah!
quote:Originally posted by TPM:
On another note, I am not sure if this is correct, but don't taxpayers pay for someone to attend school?
The short answer is yes. But isn't that true of any scholarship athlete or academic aid student attending a public university?
The idea is to attract the best of the best. I see the pro service option as helping that cause, not depleting it. I'd be proud to have Lt. Williamson lead my son into battle any day. He's living proof of the caliber of person the pro service option is intended to attract. Huaah!
CPLZ,
I thought about that, but most don't get full tuition, just apiece of it.
IMO, FWIW, there should be some type of mutual understanding among all the service academies.
I thought about that, but most don't get full tuition, just apiece of it.
IMO, FWIW, there should be some type of mutual understanding among all the service academies.
quote:Originally posted by TPM:
CPLZ,
IMO, FWIW, there should be some type of mutual understanding among all the service academies.
That's a bit like herding cats.
quote:However, am I under the impression that if they are a valuable recruiting tool, aren't former players, boosters, alumni not allowed to be in the recruiting process just like every other D1 school?
TPM, this is just a guess but...
I believe as to the recruiting of "future potential players to the Academy" it might not be what you're thinking. The way I see it is that a ball player sees this Army player make it to the MLB. This ball player sees that the player went to West Point. Hey, he got a pretty darned good education, the baseball team's pretty good, and that dream of making it to the Bigs is still alive.
I bet there are other schools who "inactively recruit" in the same manner. I chose my current school because I wanted to study athletic training and I knew 2 people who had graduated from the school and were athletic trainers.
I hope what I've said makes sense
CPLZ,
But wouldn't that be FAIR to everyone. Get on the same page, then you wouldn't have to have them knocked around on message boards, press, etc.
Bulldog,
Gotcha!
It's like someone going to any other school, having a drafted player makes a program look good. What was I thinking. 
So let nme ask another question, what if the palayer gets hurt? What if that injury now prevents him from serving time. It just makes sense to make some rules (maybe there are).
But wouldn't that be FAIR to everyone. Get on the same page, then you wouldn't have to have them knocked around on message boards, press, etc.
Bulldog,
Gotcha!
So let nme ask another question, what if the palayer gets hurt? What if that injury now prevents him from serving time. It just makes sense to make some rules (maybe there are).
.
TPM...
Are you sure you're not reading Midshipmen.com (Scout)? You're certainly asking all the right questions.
On the injury thing... it's certainly a lot less likely that an injury ending a career (in the military) would occur in DeKalb, than in Fallujah. Not trying to be cute. I just think if a ball player gets hurt, and he has an Academy degree, that they'll find a desk job for him somewhere to use his brain... it's called the business of the Air Force (insert any service branch).
There are approx. 27 ground personnel for every pilot in the Air Force. cadKID#1's job was ordering toilet paper for the guys in Kandahar. Not too glamorous unless you're one of the guys waiting in Kandahar...
cadDAD
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TPM...
Are you sure you're not reading Midshipmen.com (Scout)? You're certainly asking all the right questions.
On the injury thing... it's certainly a lot less likely that an injury ending a career (in the military) would occur in DeKalb, than in Fallujah. Not trying to be cute. I just think if a ball player gets hurt, and he has an Academy degree, that they'll find a desk job for him somewhere to use his brain... it's called the business of the Air Force (insert any service branch).
There are approx. 27 ground personnel for every pilot in the Air Force. cadKID#1's job was ordering toilet paper for the guys in Kandahar. Not too glamorous unless you're one of the guys waiting in Kandahar...
cadDAD
.
My typed words to the man above's ears I have NEVER heard of midshipman.com until today. But now you got me interested.
Obviously the same questions come to mind for others.
Just think, with the questions asked and your answers one service academy might get a future baseball player from this thread.
Last year, the whole topic wasn't presented positively, I think this came out better.
BTW, any football academy players ever do this, or is this just a baseball thing?
Obviously the same questions come to mind for others.
Just think, with the questions asked and your answers one service academy might get a future baseball player from this thread.
Last year, the whole topic wasn't presented positively, I think this came out better.
BTW, any football academy players ever do this, or is this just a baseball thing?
I'm predicting Baltimore Orioles in the third round.
I have a question to the academy people, I have never heard of the problem with a lack of officer slots for graduates. What happens if there are not enough slots, do they get released, go on inactive duty, or other options. And how is it decided who will fill the available slots and who gets left out.
This may not be relevant, but the Armed Services have drafted or enlisted celebrities and athletes in times of war for purposes other than front line service. Could this be a similar situation. Elvis and Joe Louis come to mind, not counting all the baseball players during World War II.
I have a question to the academy people, I have never heard of the problem with a lack of officer slots for graduates. What happens if there are not enough slots, do they get released, go on inactive duty, or other options. And how is it decided who will fill the available slots and who gets left out.
This may not be relevant, but the Armed Services have drafted or enlisted celebrities and athletes in times of war for purposes other than front line service. Could this be a similar situation. Elvis and Joe Louis come to mind, not counting all the baseball players during World War II.
.
Football is the reason this entire topic has hit the radar screen, when West Point's Caleb Campbell got drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 7th (and final) Round of the NFL Draft. They said the crowd's ovation was louder than when the Number 1 pick was announced. See following Boston Globe article:
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2008/05/...p1=email_to_a_friend
Interestingly it is a number of hardcore, diehard alum of the USNA that are complaining the loudest. Some say "we are a Nation at war", some don't admit it, but it has to do with WP getting an upperhand on recruiting, as they feel that the 3 Academies all compete for the same pool of kids. Some have even gone so far as to say that they fear the Academies will become Pro Sports Factories. That notion makes me laugh, because unless you SIGNIFICANTLY lower your academic standards, what pro-bound athletes will put up with Basic Training, wearing uniforms, lights out, restricted campus, and 18-21 credits a quarter, with OPS assignments instead of summers off? What many would like to see is the candidate pool expanded (some say it's not necessary as for each Academy annually there are more than 20,000 applicants each, and only 1300 are admitted, with about 950 graduating each year), to include a lot of the kids who go to Stanford, Vandy, Duke, BYU, Ivy League, but lose interest when they are told that even if they put up Heissman type numbers, their sports career is over upon graduation.
As far as the lack of slots, it is common knowledge that we began experiencing "the downsizing of the military" upon the end of the Cold War, and that was escalated significantly under the Clinton Administration. Add to that the fact that with technology in the AF, there just aren't going to be that many pilot slots, etc with un-manned aircraft appearing to be the future. Navy just has an over abundance of Junior Officers and with this being such a sought after profession (Officer ranks), young officers are staying in longer. Army is a different story due to their current needs in Iraq and Afghanistan, but this can change over night... in fact it was the opposite in the mid 90's. To answer your questions, they just get RiF'd (Reduction In Work Force) like in Corporate America. In many cases they are let go after 2 years (as opposed to the 5 in their contracts) with no repayment. The candidates for reduction are determined by what each officer is trained to do and how many they really need, again very similar to the Corporate world. If Home Depot has too many buyers and not enough logistics people, they will make personnel adjustments.
I have now come to the edge of our Family's "gag order" on this subject, and before any of this gets political like it did a year ago, I will now sign off. My sons have both signed up to defend all of our rights to political discussion, freedom, and disagreement. They will not disappoint any of you or your investment in them. For this, they thank you.
cadDAD
.
Football is the reason this entire topic has hit the radar screen, when West Point's Caleb Campbell got drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 7th (and final) Round of the NFL Draft. They said the crowd's ovation was louder than when the Number 1 pick was announced. See following Boston Globe article:
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2008/05/...p1=email_to_a_friend
Interestingly it is a number of hardcore, diehard alum of the USNA that are complaining the loudest. Some say "we are a Nation at war", some don't admit it, but it has to do with WP getting an upperhand on recruiting, as they feel that the 3 Academies all compete for the same pool of kids. Some have even gone so far as to say that they fear the Academies will become Pro Sports Factories. That notion makes me laugh, because unless you SIGNIFICANTLY lower your academic standards, what pro-bound athletes will put up with Basic Training, wearing uniforms, lights out, restricted campus, and 18-21 credits a quarter, with OPS assignments instead of summers off? What many would like to see is the candidate pool expanded (some say it's not necessary as for each Academy annually there are more than 20,000 applicants each, and only 1300 are admitted, with about 950 graduating each year), to include a lot of the kids who go to Stanford, Vandy, Duke, BYU, Ivy League, but lose interest when they are told that even if they put up Heissman type numbers, their sports career is over upon graduation.
As far as the lack of slots, it is common knowledge that we began experiencing "the downsizing of the military" upon the end of the Cold War, and that was escalated significantly under the Clinton Administration. Add to that the fact that with technology in the AF, there just aren't going to be that many pilot slots, etc with un-manned aircraft appearing to be the future. Navy just has an over abundance of Junior Officers and with this being such a sought after profession (Officer ranks), young officers are staying in longer. Army is a different story due to their current needs in Iraq and Afghanistan, but this can change over night... in fact it was the opposite in the mid 90's. To answer your questions, they just get RiF'd (Reduction In Work Force) like in Corporate America. In many cases they are let go after 2 years (as opposed to the 5 in their contracts) with no repayment. The candidates for reduction are determined by what each officer is trained to do and how many they really need, again very similar to the Corporate world. If Home Depot has too many buyers and not enough logistics people, they will make personnel adjustments.
I have now come to the edge of our Family's "gag order" on this subject, and before any of this gets political like it did a year ago, I will now sign off. My sons have both signed up to defend all of our rights to political discussion, freedom, and disagreement. They will not disappoint any of you or your investment in them. For this, they thank you.
cadDAD
.
Thank you Academy Dad for your response. I did not realize that not every graduate of the service academies had a job waiting for them. I understand your reluctance to speak further on the issue, I am aware of the hot potato this subject became the last time it came up on this board.
I really don't have an opinion on this matter. I have never had the priviledge of serving in the military. This always seemed like a family argument to me, and since I'm not in the family, I'll let it go at that.
I will add that I think that the young men and women who sign up for the service academies are to be admired and thanked by a nation made and kept free by their effort and committment. My son and I watched this young man pitch this year against cadkid#2, and the conversation that took place about their sacrifice and the sacrifice of all those who serve their country had a profound impact on my 14 year old.
We talk alot about student/athletes and playing for the name on the front of the jersey and not the one on the back. What great examples they made that day of both those propositions.
God bless all the men and women in uniform, keep them safe and thank you.
I really don't have an opinion on this matter. I have never had the priviledge of serving in the military. This always seemed like a family argument to me, and since I'm not in the family, I'll let it go at that.
I will add that I think that the young men and women who sign up for the service academies are to be admired and thanked by a nation made and kept free by their effort and committment. My son and I watched this young man pitch this year against cadkid#2, and the conversation that took place about their sacrifice and the sacrifice of all those who serve their country had a profound impact on my 14 year old.
We talk alot about student/athletes and playing for the name on the front of the jersey and not the one on the back. What great examples they made that day of both those propositions.
God bless all the men and women in uniform, keep them safe and thank you.
quote:Originally posted by deldad:
God bless all the men and women in uniform, keep them safe and thank you.
"From your typed words" to God's ears!!!!!
Amen.
quote:NORFOLK, Va. - A Naval Academy graduate drafted last week by the St. Louis Cardinals was denied a bid to play ball Thursday and ordered to report for duty.
Mitch Harris, a newly commissioned ensign and Naval Academy graduate, must serve a five-year active duty commitment, Navy Secretary Donald C. Winter ruled.
“He will report to his ship as ordered,” Cmdr. Jeff Davis, a Navy spokesman, told The Associated Press.
Thank you Mitch, and everyone else for your commitment.
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/25130823/
The Cardinals reported this yesterday, according to insiders, the Navy wouldn't even allow a discussion.
Best of luck to Mitch Harris.
Best of luck to Mitch Harris.
Friday, Jun 13, 2008 2:50 pm EDT from Yahoo Sports
Navy nixes midshipman's Major League aspirations
By 'Duk
Meet Mitch Harris. After a senior collegiate season that saw him win 20 games and average almost 12 strikeouts per nine innings, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of last week's draft.
So the next stop is the minor leagues and then the majors, right?
Not quite. Harris threw his 94 MPH fastball while playing for Navy's baseball team, which means he now has to fulfill the five-year service obligation that's required of every midshipman.
On Thursday, the Navy has made it clear that no exceptions will be made for Harris, who might have been drafted in the third or fourth round if his availability to play had been more certain.
Harris had said he was hoping to work around the service requirement or simply delay it for a few years while waiting to see iif his baseball dreams panned out.
From the Virginian-Pilot:
Through a spokesman, Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter ruled out (the) possibility.
“We are a nation at war, and we believe it’s inappropriate to allow Navy and Marine Corps personnel to be released from service obligations to play professional sports at the same time that other sailors and marines are carrying out their service obligations,” Lt. Karen Eifert, a Navy spokesman in Washington, said Thursday.
Eifert, who contacted The Virginian-Pilot on Thursday to make clear Winter’s position, said the Navy would not support any request to be stationed near a particular professional team or to be allowed to travel with that team.
Thing is, if Harris had pitched for Army, things might have turned out better. West Point features a recently implemented Alternative Service Option, which has allowed cadet Caleb Campbell to pursue a career in the NFL after being drafted by the Detroit Lions in April. Campbell currently serves as a part-time recruiter on his off days and can buy out the last three years of his active duty commitment by agreeing to six years of duty in the Army Reserves.
But, of course, Harris belongs to the Navy and the rules are the rules. While part of me wants to say that the Navy would be helped a lot publicity-wise if Harris became a star — anyone remember Roger Staubach? — I also realize that many other Navy students are passing up lucrative careers to fulfill the service they agreed to complete when they arrived in Annapolis. Why should a baseball player be any different?
Navy nixes midshipman's Major League aspirations
By 'Duk
Meet Mitch Harris. After a senior collegiate season that saw him win 20 games and average almost 12 strikeouts per nine innings, he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 13th round of last week's draft.
So the next stop is the minor leagues and then the majors, right?
Not quite. Harris threw his 94 MPH fastball while playing for Navy's baseball team, which means he now has to fulfill the five-year service obligation that's required of every midshipman.
On Thursday, the Navy has made it clear that no exceptions will be made for Harris, who might have been drafted in the third or fourth round if his availability to play had been more certain.
Harris had said he was hoping to work around the service requirement or simply delay it for a few years while waiting to see iif his baseball dreams panned out.
From the Virginian-Pilot:
Through a spokesman, Secretary of the Navy Donald C. Winter ruled out (the) possibility.
“We are a nation at war, and we believe it’s inappropriate to allow Navy and Marine Corps personnel to be released from service obligations to play professional sports at the same time that other sailors and marines are carrying out their service obligations,” Lt. Karen Eifert, a Navy spokesman in Washington, said Thursday.
Eifert, who contacted The Virginian-Pilot on Thursday to make clear Winter’s position, said the Navy would not support any request to be stationed near a particular professional team or to be allowed to travel with that team.
Thing is, if Harris had pitched for Army, things might have turned out better. West Point features a recently implemented Alternative Service Option, which has allowed cadet Caleb Campbell to pursue a career in the NFL after being drafted by the Detroit Lions in April. Campbell currently serves as a part-time recruiter on his off days and can buy out the last three years of his active duty commitment by agreeing to six years of duty in the Army Reserves.
But, of course, Harris belongs to the Navy and the rules are the rules. While part of me wants to say that the Navy would be helped a lot publicity-wise if Harris became a star — anyone remember Roger Staubach? — I also realize that many other Navy students are passing up lucrative careers to fulfill the service they agreed to complete when they arrived in Annapolis. Why should a baseball player be any different?
quote:Originally posted by cheapseats:
Why should a baseball player be any different?
You already answered that...
quote:Originally posted by cheapseats:
While part of me wants to say that the Navy would be helped a lot publicity-wise if Harris became a star
The Navy could probably use Mitch Harris more wisely than having him serve obscurely on a ship as a dime a dozen Ensign. The military spends hundreds of millions each year on recruiting advertising. The US Army is the number one advertiser in all pro sports combined. This is a wonderful example of the shortsighted nature the military has of getting the most out of their personnel.
I may not have made it clear, but this was an article from Yahoo Sports...it is not my opinions or questions.