Paying Major Dues w/ John Baker

by ConditionOakland on Jun 11, 2006 11:22 PM PDT

Hey everyone--

Woke up today to find a very cool little article about life in the minor leagues, with A's minor leaguer John Baker as the main story. (as well as Brian Horwitz)

It can be found in the SF Chronicle:
No Moneyball: Paying Some Major Dues.

(J. Brown and J. Baker watch Nick Swisher on TV in the clubhouse.)

It's a great article and I really enjoyed readying it. It's very interesting on the kind of lifestyle these players have to live-- always in wait and in anticipation of what's next.

Hope everyone's having a great summer--
Go A's!

-CO

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No wonder..

Matt Watson went to Japan.

The Last Lieutenant remaining in the "Armas Army"

by str8tarrow on Jun 12, 2006 8:05 AM PDT reply actions

certainly has not been treated like a good prospect that he is. Keeps getting released to clear a 40 man slot and then resigned when someone else cannot keep him on their 40 man. I would like to see both get their opportunity in the bigs. Brown brought up twice and he warms up pitchers in the bullpen; no at bats even.

Charlie Brown GO A'S WIN

by Charlie Brown on Jun 12, 2006 8:20 AM PDT reply actions

Read this article last night,

and it made me realize how other than those signing bonuses they get at the beginning, the life of a minor leaguer is almost crap. Earning like what 1-2K per month playing ball? And they toil so many years just attempting to get to the Show? Wow.

by richharden40 on Jun 12, 2006 8:31 AM PDT reply actions

And yet..

...who amongst us wouldn't want to give it a shot?

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Jun 12, 2006 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions

I knew John Baker's dad ...

... Dave Baker, in college, and the furthest he ever made it was AA Reading (he was a catcher too). He then became an accountant. I'm sure he's doing a lot better financially but that he wouldn't trade having given it a shot for anything, and John will feel the same way someday. John is a much better prospect, though.

by vk on Jun 12, 2006 11:59 AM PDT reply actions