Cardnilly has written a letter to our newest callup - and I feel the need to follow suit, but I’m writing to a different player.
Dear Jim,
You’ve been a great centerfielder for us for a number of years now - but there’s always been something about you that I didn’t like. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it until today, but now I know what it is. It seems to me that you like earning gold gloves - you’re pretty good at it too. However, I also think that sometimes you may want an oscar. Other times, I feel like you’d rather be somewhere else.
As for the oscar: I very rarely see someone spin out of the way of a high fastball that splits the plate in two, not to mention the fact that you run about half way back to the dugout for added measure. Are the dramatics really necessary Jim? I know you make all these over the shoulder plays, and that’s the way you “roll”, but why can’t you just sprint to the spot, camp under it, and make the catch look a little easier?
As for being somewhere else: I was watching the game tonight against the Astros, and there was a single to center field. Willy Taveras was on first, and he made it to third without a throw from you. The play was in front of you Jim - if you had come up firing, you would’ve had Taveras by 15 feet at third, and we would’ve been out of a tough jam. If you get a chance, talk to David Eckstein about why he’s backing up the throw from the catcher back to the pitcher with a runner on 3rd. Maybe he’ll tell you it’s because the little things matter. Reach up into the sky and pluck your head out from those clouds it so loves to hang out in, and play the game 100%, all the time. I hate to say this Jim, but your days are numbered, make them count.
I know I’m nitpicking Jim, but when you expect sound fundamental baseball out of your team and you don’t get it, problems arise in the Cardinal fandom. Go out there tomorrow and help us break a losing streak in any way you can - we appreciate the little things.
Sincerely,
The Cards Deck
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