 |
|
|
Reading Railbirds #3 Monday, March 20th, 2062 News Text,201cOver-achiever. After-thought. Expendable. New Railbirds catcher Michael Lovell has heard all of the criticism over a 13-year pro career. In 2050 and as a wiry 17-year old, Lovell remembers signing his first pro contract with the Alcatraz Island organization. ,2018Yeah I didn,2019t generate much interest in high school.,2019 One scout not sold on Lovell as a player noted: ,2018No plate discipline. No focus. Is better at pre-game whiffle ball than baseball.,2019 Lovell recalls that criticism with a smile. ,2018When Alcatraz offered me a deal, I arrogantly thought I,2019d be in the majors in a year or two.,2019 Lovell,2019s first year of batting .132 in Rookie ball was a wake-up call. It would take him 9 long years of improvement to reach the bigs. The veteran catcher,2019s dedication stands in stark contrast to what early scouts said he didn,2019t have ,2018focus.,2019 Every day Lovell is always one of the first to arrive at the ballpark, and then last to leave. After spending three seasons as a reserve backstop, Lovell holds no grudges against Alcatraz after being released. ,2018It,2019s a business. It was time for both sides to move on.,2019 After signing this month, Lovell is in spring training as a non-roster invitee, and Railbirds,2019 execs believe that he can make a contribution. What does Lovell think? ,2018Yeah, I got something left in my 29-year old tank. And like that scout from my teens said, if baseball doesn,2019t happen for me any longer, I can still throw a wicked whiffle ball knuckler.,2019,201d |
|
