Players Ready to Bounce Back

After awful seasons, these players are champing at the bit

Anyone remember when the black guy in Rudy says “Man, in this lifetime you ain’t gotta prove nothing to no one except yourself.” Anyone? Well, it’s a great quote for most of us to live by, unless we play major league baseball.

With multi-million dollar contracts and millions of people watching and the media reporting on their every triumph and defeat, players are constantly having to prove themselves over and over again. Not every situation is the same but with most players, there is something at stake.

Let’s take a look at the five guys who have something to prove this season.

The “I got caught ‘roiding and people think my whole career has been a lie” guy – Manny Ramirez is this guy. He was like a rock star in L.A. two years ago and then a 50 game suspension last year has him needing to rebound in the worst possible way.

In fairness, Manny’s numbers weren’t terrible for 2/3’s of season(.290, 16, and 63) but for a lifetime .313 hitter with over 500 homeruns, it was a terrible year. He needs to get past this test and get past it quick. I don’t think he’s in the “never going into the hall” category and a monster year where he is considered clean would go a long way. But if he fails again, there goes his money and his legacy.

The “I got paid a lot of money to hang out on the DL last year” guy – Say “hello” to Jake Peavy.

The White Sox ace finally accepted a trade to the south side last year but spent the rest of the year the way he spent the first part: rehabbing.

Set to make 15 million this year and 16 million next, Peavy certainly needs to show the White Sox he was worth their time and money. In his 3 starts last year for the Sox he went 3-0 with a 1.35. But let’s not forget it was garbage time in the season so there’s no guarantee’s he’ll do that this year. If Peavy is right, expect the Sox to contend for the AL Central. If Peavy struggles expect the Sox to be out of the race early, and for Peavy to be looking for another home.

The “Oh, no you didn’t trade me” guy – Why the Phillies didn’t do everything in their power to keep Lee when they added Ace Roy Halladay, I’ll never understand. It might’ve made sense to bite the bullet on losing Blanton or even Happ or Hamels for the future for a chance to have the nastiest front two in baseball. But the Phillies were concerned that Happ would come back to bite them and so they shipped Lee off.

Now Lee has been traded to a retooled Mariners team. They have Milton Bradley (before he gets injured or suspended) and Chone Figgins. With Felix Hernandez at the front of their rotation they are hoping this is the year they overtake the Angels. And with Lee in a contract year, he’s hoping this is the year he makes Philadelphia regret ever getting rid of him.

The “Fade out on the feel good story guy”- Where the hell was Josh Hamilton last year? In 2008 America fell in love with the once troubled players story of redemption. He had a monster year batting .304 with 32 HR, and 130 RBI. But last year injuries limited him to 89 games and some really poor numbers, even for a half a season.

With 10 HR and 54 RBI, he was non-existent in the Rangers line up. Hamilton is looking to bounce back and why wouldn’t he? There isn’t much worse in sports than going from the guy everyone loves to the guy no one can remember.

The “I was a disappointment all last year and especially when my team needed me most” guy – Cole Hamels, I’m talking to you. Could anyone have more to prove than Hamels? Let’s take this back to 2008. It’s his third big league season. He goes 14-10 with a 3.09 ERA. The Phillies reach the postseason and in 5 games he goes 4-0. He posts a 2.77 in the World Series and gets the MVP.

Then 2009 happens…10-11 with a 4.32 ERA. The guy can’t get it together all season. Then the Phillies reach October and Hamels would have been better pitching batting practice. He goes 1-2 in 5 starts and posts an ugly 10.38 ERA against the Yankees in the Series. And just when you thought things couldn’t be going worse for this guy he makes the stupid mistake of telling the media that he can’t wait til this season is over.

I didn’t fault him for saying it then and I don’t fault him now. When I have a bad week at work I might say “Man, I can’t wait for my week to end.” This doesn’t mean I’m not committed to doing my job or that I don’t want to be employed. It just means I’ve been having a bad week. This is all Hamels was saying. However, when I say it, it doesn’t come during the World Series with millions of people paying attention and I’m stinking up the ballpark with my pitching. So good luck to Hamels in convincing the rest of the world that he’s a competitor focused on winning. The Phillies will need him if they are eyeing October. Hamels will need to be good to save his reputation.

Michael Cahill