This week, Don Smith, manager of the Molly Putts Marauders in the Illowa APBA League, sent out this message via our league email listserve. He even left it in the comments section of my recent post on the upcoming IAL Draft.
I’m posting it as its own article because it’s so full of witty wisdom.
Mostly, the witty part.
Guys,
Molly Putts Draft Observations:1) The first 2 picks are obviously (obvious to Molly, anyhow) Bryce Harper and the “20 pounds heavier” Mike Trout. My team has 2nd pick. I have already unloaded Vernon Wells, making room for “Harper/Trout.”
2) Is the “20 pounds heavier” muscle? Or is it “an off-season filled with YIPPEE?” And if the latter, does that matter? In a more taxing sport, Patrick Kane has “off-seasons filled with YIPPEE.” And his in-seasons are filled with success. If Mike Trout is the Patrick Kane of MLB, he deserves to be the Number One Pick.
3) In my book (which I am yet to write), one of Mike Trout’s 2012 accomplishments was getting a hit in a day game the day after his 21st birthday. If I had played a baseball game the day after my 21st birthday, I would not have gotten a hit. Maybe Mike celebrated his birthday in a different manner than I did. ;-)
4) Interestingly, the next Tom Seaver might edge his way into the Top Two.
5) Molly told me the objective this winter is to get younger in the outfield. Last year’s outfield was ICHIRO, Vladimir Guerrero, Jason Heyward, Hideki Matsui and Vernon Wells. As of today, this year’s outfield is ICHIRO, Mark Trumbo, Jason Heyward and either Bryce Harper or Mike Trout. Mission accomplished? Might add another young outfielder late in the draft.
6) I didn’t realize that J A Happ was a First Round Pick in our league. I added Happ in an “afterthought” trade last winter. For next year, he slopped out a C. But he appears to be odd man out as the Jays added guys in the winter. We shall see, but Happ might be “long man” in 2013.
7) Molly is sending me to Arizona manana to scout spring training. Molly is also sending Rob Moore & my brother Kevin, so I’ll have someone to drink with. YIPPEE.
DonS.
