Last year, the only rookie everyone talked about was Buster Posey. He, uh, panned out. This year, it was all Brandon Belt. And as much as I like and respect Belt- and the season is still young, he hasn’t screamed, Impact! Who has? The one I lovingly branded (pun intended) The Other Brandon. I may be speaking too soon, but I think if anyone takes us all the way, it’ll be him. When Tejada started to be an obvious problem at short, the name Jose Reyes kept popping up.
Jose who?
We have a shortstop.
From, Single A. Who hit a triple that was as close to perfection as anyone comes on a baseball field? Keep Jose, Mets. It would be weird to see him wearing other colors anyway. This coming from a rabid 2007 fan of yours.
And Matt Cain’s game wasn’t perfect, but it was a beauty. Five hits, one run, complete game win. ‘Nuff said.
Anyway, since I can’t get over Crawford, I have made a list of five things I love about him. Besides his obvious baseball chops. Read on.
5. The Hair.
I think he works hard at it. It pays off.
The best part? Curly hair doesn’t seem to equal curly brains, because…
4. He’s Got Brains
You know how people always go ga-ga over actresses or models who graduated college? Granted, many more baseball players graduate but for whatever reason his major is on his Wikipedia article and it’s physiological science. I don’t quite know what that means but it sounds brainy. Interesting.
3. He Signs…
…autographs. Because he remembers being in the position of wanting ‘em. I don’t begrudge players who don’t like to sign, but I do give points to people who go out there and do it.
2. FISU World Champion
Whenever I hear about an MLBer who’s had success in another league, I am intrigued. I know Nate Schierholtz competed in Beijing and that’s always been one of my main associations with him. Crawford was on the US team when it won FISU World Championship in Havana. Which means he’s ready to be a champion again, right?
1. He’s Toolsy
Fine, just kidding. I’ve been watching the draft for three days but that doesn’t mean I use that word. He’s just a flat out ballplayer. I don’t know of any other way to say it.
I think good things are in the team’s future. But speaking of shortstops? I really hugely miss Edgar Renteria. So these next few days may be emotionally difficult. Bear with me, okay?
Diamond Girl
p.s. If I’ve failed to mention that I want a name like Conor Gillaspie, I will say it now. I want a name like Conor Gillaspie.
