Last Fri I saw a Google hit on my kid on the AAA International League preview that had him on the Yankee AAA roster. I was thinking to myself, nice job. He had been playing on the AAA team all Spring, traveled with the big team on a couple of occasions, so I thought all was well. An hour later he called and said he had been released. He said he had a great Spring, was not over matched, and felt be belonged. However, he said he couldn't be happier with the release because the Yanks have a log jam with RHP and the outlook for innings were thin for everyone. In the end, I don't think any MiLB pitchers went to the MLB roster, they signed some pitchers last fall from MLB rosters who will go to AAA, the AAA staff is stuffed and some moved down, 4 AA guys were sent to A+. In plain engish, 10 lbs of shet in a 5 lb bag.
He did say that the while most releases are sent to a "grim reaper" he was sent to the GM of player Development for the news. They said that his release was the most difficult because Ryan acted like a true Yankee on and off the field for years and instead of having him throw 30 innings this year it would be to his best interest to go elsewhere. Many of the guys that were retained wished they had been in his shoes because barring a lot of injuries, the year will be frustrating at best, and in many cases end up with a Fall release. He then followed up by saying that he thought Ryan will be AA by May with some other club. The GM also said that whether it was baseball related or not that he could always use him as a personal reference. Ryan said that he never felt more respected by anyone when the meeting ended. Ryan followed up with his agent who said he put the word out and had told Ryan not to unpack the car. I'm waiting anxiously to change that HSBBW avatar because it's proven with the old Yankee avatar, I can be bought. In the mean time I'll go with the daughters water ski team.
Ryan also commented that as a result of the release he never felt more committed to baseball and to press on. I was in "downer" mode and while I thought he would be also, I was so impressed that he took it like a man and will use it as a springboard to whatever happens. It's funny how sometimes a negative event occurs and you still bust out with pride. He will succeed.
A couple days later we were talking and he was saying that without an education to fall beck on he would probably be a "mess". He said many will be asking themselves....
Should I start school, or go back at 25?
Do I really want to go back to school with all those "kids"?
I never focused on school to begin with, will that change?
What do I really want to do?
Should I continue with the baseball dream with a release already in my pocket?
Where should I work so I can get by?
What do I do now?
Where have all the flowers gone?
Ryan smiled and said that besides the Yankee release in his pocket, he has 2 degrees stuffed in that same pocket which are taking up space. As a result of having a "plan B" he can still chase the "dream" and while he can focus on the "next target", he does not have the pressures many others do of what to do when that baseball door finally closes for good.
While many times the HSBBW old timers provide advise from experience and emphasize education, I can honestly say that nothing rings truer. I used to think there was nothing bigger than Family and Baseball. After a weekend of reflection I wonder if education is not the nutrition that those personal values thrive on. From K-12 to college I recommend that as a family, parents sit down with their sons often, and coaches, at all levels should do the same with their teams and emphasis the importance of school. Explain that every player may not have the make-up to be a scholar, but, that every player should focus on education as much as they focus on baseball, because in reality that is the future for at least 99%. Unfortunately some players will nod "yes" but blow it off because they think it is a pain in the a$$ to take a proactive approach, but, it's a lot better than looking at it from a hindsight when it becomes relevant.
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