Posts Tagged ‘Crash Davis’
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Crash Davis Returns!?July 9th, 2008
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Last year the Oakland A’s picked up a minor leaguer from the San Diego Padres for virtually nothing. When the trade was made, it wasn’t a big deal and was only found in the other notes section. A’s general manager Billy Beane has once again plucked a gem and given up nothing in return.
With all the injuries the A’s players had last season, that minor leaguer got a chance to show what he could do. Who was that minor leaguer and what did he do with the opportunity?
Does he really invoke memories of baseball movie (Bull Durham) legend Crash Davis (the minor league career homerun champion)? When I look at A’s outfielder/DH Jack Cust play today, I think of Crash Davis
Cust has had a few cups of coffee in the majors with a four different teams (Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Colorado Rockies, and the Padres). In fact, Cust even played in AAA for the A’s back in 2005, yet never got a call to the show.
While some player get called up and just can’t perform, others go on to show they can. They make people think about why they had to wait so long.
While some players do great things in the minors, it doesn’t always translate to success in the major. The A’s once had a player, Adam Piatt, win the Triple Crown while playing in AA. That achievement had not been accomplished in over 70 years.
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April Farm Report: A Master and His Bard - Part 1May 1st, 2008
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There’s a reason why many Red Sox followers remained hesitant when it came to the discussed but never-to-be trade for ace lefty and change-up king Johan Santana this past off-season.
Just call it prospect envy.
With the success of second baseman Dustin Pedroia, last year’s American League Rookie of the Year, center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, a key cog in Boston’s World Series sweep of the Rockies, and right-hander Clay Buchholz, owner of a no-hitter in his second major league start, the fans of the Olde Towne Team are starting to expect similar results from each farmhand that makes his way up to the big club.
Add into the mix shortstop Jed Lowire, who has filled in admirably as a super-sub on the major league roster due to injuries in the Boston infield this season, and right-hander Justin Masterson’s impressive spot start against the Angels last week, and this phenomenon of lusting after the unknown—like the backup quarterback in football—only intensifies.
And fans aren’t alone when it comes to prospect envy.
Ultimately, the Red Sox front office, led by general manager Theo Epstein, felt the price for Santana—four top prospects … and a huge contract—was not one worth paying.