sometimes you forget how seriously these ballplayers take their careers. after all, they're low minor leagues, with slim to none chances of making the big leagues (about 2 per 25 will actually make it...)

story from today: fifth inning. one of the team leaders hits shot to right field. he thinks it's gone. wind gusting in. he apparently doesn't hustle to first, anticipating a home run trot (i'm watching ball/fielder, and don't see this). ball is caught at warning track, as player reaches first base. ballplayer is pulled from lineup.

flash forward 2 hours, to post-game bus.

ballplayer is fuming. pissed. loudly complaining. arguing with hitting coach (not the manager, who made the decision. this confrontation does not occur.). cursing out the crappy freakin' twins for keeping him in low-a. talking about ways to piss off the major league brass to earn his release. hitting coach: "ain't no way they're letting you go." ballplayer: "f*ck 'em." hitting coach: "you ain't getting out of the contract. you're p-r-o-p-e-r-t-y." ballplayer: "a piece of f*ckin' meat."

an interesting interaction, that's all.

postscript: team was up 4-1 when flyout happened. team lost 5-4 in 12 innings.