by Spokes » Fri Feb 20, 2004 10:44 am
I know someone already said Mark Wohlers, but do you actually understand how bad it really got for him? He was the shut-down closers of the 90s up until that one 2-2 hanging slider to Jim Leyritz with 2 on and 2 out in the bottom of the 8th inning of game 4 of the WS, that even a VERY young Andruw Jones couldn't catch as he climbed the left field wall. "Back, at the track, at the wall, WE ARE TIED." --Joe Buck. Man, I remember that well and loved all of it.
After that pitch, he lost his confidence and the strike zone. He got booed out of Atlanta because he started walking guys, 3 in a row, with wild pitches. He was out of baseball, tried to come back and was wild again and when he wasn't wild, pitches sat right in the wheelhouse. Then his wife divorced him, she got the kids and the house and I think he ran into some trouble with the IRS. Just amazing how quick his downfall was. I loved seeing him meltdown after '96 at first, but when he really began losing him private life, that made you feel bad for the guy. At least he is back in baseball, I think.
Other unfortunate careers: He's young, but Josh Hamilton looks like he is headed down the road where he can't go a half a season without legal troubles.
Bob Hamelin...won the ROY and then...???
How about that guy back in the 50s or 60 for Boston that was a good player and young, then got hit in the eye with a pitch and had to retire. Tony Conigliero?
And, maybe this doesn't fit because he had a great career, but he could have done so much more, Lou Gerhig.
I am sure there are plenty more, but that's what is off the top of my head right now.
The best lyric ever: "You shouldn't throw stones if you live in a glass house and if you gotta glass jaw you should watch your mouth...'cause I'll break yo face."