More Reflections on the Draft.

Well, now the draft is now officially over. From Stephen Strasburg (the first pick) to Alibay Barkley (the last pick), I would love to wish each and every player picked all the luck in the world and I hope to see you all play in the Big Leagues! But the reality of the situation is entirely different.

In my very first meeting after reporting to Mini-Camp in 1993, our manager, Norm Sherry, walked into the room and shouted "Congratulations! You are the draft class of 1993 for the San Francisco Giants! Give yourselves a big pat on the back!" And as we all strained to pat ourselves on the back like a bunch of class clowns, he said, "Two of you will play in the Big Leagues. The rest of you are here so those two will have someone to play with as they develop into Big League Ballplayers."...You could have heard a pin drop in that room as we all looked around and realized THAT really is the reality of the situation.

Looking back, Norm was right. There were two future Big Leaguers in that room. Bill Mueller, 2004 A.L. Batting Champion for the World Champion Boston Red Sox that year (he has since retired with leg problems) and Chris Singleton (who enjoyed a solid Big League career and is now best known as one of the analysts on Baseball Tonight (ESPN)). And the rest of us, although great ballplayers, were there so they would have teammates, games, crowds, and coaches to learn and play with as they became Big Leaguers.

Folks, I'm here to tell you it's tough to make it. Professional Coaches call it "attrition". In other words, life gets in the way. Some guys get homesick. Some guys can't adjust to playing everyday. Some guys just eliminate themselves through bad habits. But when all is said and done, the cream of the crop rises to the top. And that is who gets the honor of wearing a Major League Uniform.

Tomorrow morning, I leave to go to Omaha! So make sure you log on and see what's going on at the CWS!!!