Just returned from Chicago, but I figured
I would share this if you haven't seen it:
The 33-year-old [Darin] Erstad fully intends to play baseball in 2008. The
only question is where he’ll sign. Hint: Look to the National League.
There have been some offers and Erstad expects something to happen
quickly, perhaps before Jan. 1.
“It’s still up in the air, but
I’m leaning toward going to the National League,” Erstad said. “I’ve
come to accept the fact that my body might not be able to play every
day again. I could be a utility guy, the fourth guy in the outfield,
the guy who comes off the bench with a double-switch. It’ll be
different, not being an everyday guy, but I think the way they play in
the National League gives me the maximum opportunities to be on the
field.” [...]
“It’s tough, but I haven’t been healthy. How could a team rely on me
for an every day role? I can’t stay healthy,” Erstad said. “It’s not
something that is easy, but it’s really the natural progression of
anybody’s career. You’re not as valuable as you used to be. I’m a
realist. I accept that.”
This upsets me on two levels:
- How come we realized this last year, and the Sox didn't?
- He's depriving us of laughter at another team's expense.
What I mean by the latter is that when you look back through the archives, the quotes by and about Erstad are largely quite funny. To single out a few:
March 20: "When the season is over, [Erstad] is going to have 500 at-bats." -- Ozzie Guillen.
March 16: "I can do nothing but learn from him. We've already established a
pretty good relationship, communication about the top of the order and
what we have to do out there to be successful. It's going to be great for us." -- Scott Podsednik.
January 27:
"The Angels had signed [Gary] Matthews, and I would have been relegated to first base, and I'm just not ready to do that yet." -- Erstad.
January 26: "And if Erstad is recovered fully from a right ankle injury that limited
him to 40 games with the Los Angeles Angels last season, he could
provide the Sox with the same type of bargain Jermaine Dye has during
his two seasons after being hindered by leg injuries." -- Mark Gonzalez.
Selling himself for more playing time and money is Erstad's job, so he's not to blame. It's just amazing to read that the 2007 season buried Erstad's hopes of regaining a starting job, only a year after the Sox made him the lynchpin of their 2006-07 offseason plan.
At any rate, hope everybody had a great Christmas, Chinese dinner or movie night. Posting resumes in earnest tomorrow.