Lookback at 2006 Redszone Mock Draft; Former Prospect's Decision to Quit Baseball

[cincinnati chili]

I recommend a great story in the New Yorker by Adrian Cardenas on his decision to quit baseball.

" twelve-hour bus rides spent trying to fall asleep on a foam egg crate on the floor only to be thwarted by the bus breaking down (and, once, catching fire), or by the aspiring singer, rapper, or guitarist who thought it best to practice while others slept, or—worst of all—by the thick stream of dip juice from a failed attempt at spitting into the garbage."

I admit to following Cardenas's career closer than I otherwise would have due to my picking him in the 2006 Redszone Mock Draft, which also makes for a good read.

Kudos to TRF for picking Tim Lincecum 9 picks ahead of where he was actually taken. You know, that whole short right handed pitcher bias.

[oneupper]

Methinks Cardenas quit because he realized his glove wasn't good enough to stick as a MI and his bat wasn't good enough to play LF and no one wanted to give him a ML deal.

He needed to play for the Cardinals where LaRussa's law of second base defensive indifference is still in effect.

[RedTeamGo!]

Methinks Cardenas quit because he realized his glove wasn't good enough to stick as a MI and his bat wasn't good enough to play LF and no one wanted to give him a ML deal.

Or you know, maybe he is more passionate about philosophy and literature like he said and didn't like baseball anymore.

[kpresidente]

Or you know, maybe he is more passionate about philosophy and literature like he said and didn't like baseball anymore.

Well, he'd have had a lot more time for that stuff after he retired at 35 with millions in the bank.

[RedTeamGo!]

Well, he'd have had a lot more time for that stuff after he retired at 35 with millions in the bank.

Sounds like he was already spending his offseasons studying, with that mindset I doubt he would have made millions playing baseball. He was passionate about something other than baseball, I applaud him for having the guts to admit it and making a change. Instead of spending his 20s playing a sport he does not enjoy anymore, he is going to spend the rest of his 20s studying subjects he is passionate about and attempting to make a career out of it. It is not like he is turning to a life of crime, he is going to do something he loves. Bravo, I say.

[kpresidente]

I got the sense he still liked baseball but didn't like the business of baseball. Sounds like bit of youthful idealism gone overboard to me. If he goes into academics or something, he might find out that's a business, too. You're right he's not turning to a life of crime or anything, but he's turning down an elite talent (relative to the general population) that you can only use while you're young for something you can pursue at any age. And passions change, after all.

[BuckeyeRedleg]

Kudos to TRF for picking Tim Lincecum 9 picks ahead of where he was actually taken. You know, that whole short right handed pitcher bias.

Steel took Kershaw at #14. Very nice.

With the 14th pick in the 2006 MLB entry draft, the Toronto Blue Jays select:

Clayton Kershaw, lhp, Highland Park HS, Dallas TX

[oneupper]

I got the sense he still liked baseball but didn't like the business of baseball. Sounds like bit of youthful idealism gone overboard to me. If he goes into academics or something, he might find out that's a business, too. You're right he's not turning to a life of crime or anything, but he's turning down an elite talent (relative to the general population) that you can only use while you're young for something you can pursue at any age. And passions change, after all.

Private School, Piano lessons. Never had a job (besides baseball).
One article lists father as a Physical Therapist and his mother a nurse, so possibly not rich, but certainly very supportive.

[Chip R]

When I saw the link to this article on another website (I can't remember which one) it said something about another fail by MLB. I read Cardenas' article and I can't for the life of me figure out how he was failed by baseball and/or MLB.

[Gallen5862]

I picked Greg Reynolds in that draft at number 9 overall for the Orioles.

[Wonderful Monds]

Damn, Matty cleaned that draft out in the later rounds. Got Latos, 2 back end bullpen arms and a starting wide receiver all in the later picks.

[Superdude]

Sounds like bit of youthful idealism gone overboard to me.

I feel like I was supposed to come away respecting his resolve and personal integrity, but I think we reached the same conclusion. Have fun reading Nietzsche and sipping espresso Adrian.

[cincinnati chili]

Said one of my friends after I posted this on Facebook: "are you sure it wasn't because you were under contract with the Cubs, Adrian?"

[dougdirt]

I drafted three guys who made the Majors. Success!

Oh, they have all stunk up the joint in the Majors outside of the age 29 season from Hochevar? Well that puts a damper on it.

Of course, I could have traded both Hochevar and Betances for their weight in gold at one point, so..... SUCCESS!

[wlf WV]

Of course, I could have traded both Hochevar and Betances for their weight in gold at one point, so..... SUCCESS!

But I doubt it.