I have very few card collections given my limited resources and space, but I did decide some time ago to begin collecting on-card Royals autographs. It’s been a blast so far trying to track these things down and this is the latest addition to my collection. To view the cards currently in the collection, take a look at the Gallery or the other posts in this series. I’m working on getting a legit want list together on my trade page but, in the meantime, if you have any on-card Royals autos that it looks like I don’t have, don’t hesitate to drop me a line!
He looks like he's in a Crystal Castles prison.
Man, someone needs to copyright some of these stories. They’re all so common. Matt Mitchell (in the faux-piexellated menagerie up there) was a low draft pick straight out of high school. He started where high schoolers usually start- in rookie league ball and he absolutely dominated. As a 19 year old, he had a decent season his next year in A ball and then BAM. Arm surgery. He’s out for all of 2009 and repeats A ball in 2010 to much trouble. a 1-9 record with a WHIP teetering over the 1.6 mark. 2011 A ball hasn’t been good to him either, with a WHIP over 2 and ERA nearing 5.
Let’s get something straight here- he’s not washed up by any means. He’s 22- just a kid. But, as his first pro contract comes to and end here soon, he’s going to have a decision to make. Should he stick it out and try to latch on with the Royals or another team in hopes of breaking through? Or should he hang it up and go to college so he doesn’t end up being a 29 year old with no skills or degree just entering the workforce?
This is America. A country where we’re supposed to have dreams. Where kids who dream of playing professional sports can make those dreams come true by sheer force of will, a Tom Sawyer wink and a Johnny Cash flipping of the bird to the camera. So I say stick with it, Matt. Make it happen. Play pro ball until they don’t let you anymore. Play independent ball for as long as your body can handle it. Live the dream, Matt Mitchell.
Live the dream.
Carpe diem!