The Curse of Wrigley Field

 Phil Velasquez/TRIBUNE PHOTO

You know you’re getting old when you start putting lame things like family first in your life. Take me for instance. I’m a young, strapping young man at the ripe age of 22. I love my family, but if I had the opportunity to, say, work at the New York Times or the Chicago Tribune, I’d pick up and leave in a heartbeat. Hell, I’d even leave in the middle of the night while my family was sleeping if they told me to.

But I’m young, and since I have no children of my own, worrying about nonessential things, like having a job, is alright.

Jim Edmonds, on the other hand, is much older than I am and he has no qualms with admitting to others that baseball isn’t exactly priority numero uno. Via the Chicago Tribune:

“I think every day is important right now,” Edmonds said. “I’m not going to worry about it. The worst thing they can do is send me back to my family, you know what I mean? Right now I’m really concentrating on helping the team, and obviously, I have to be a father at home.

“There are a lot of things more important than just the game. I have a whole list of things on my plate right now, so when I’m here, I’m doing my job and doing the best I can. And when I get home, I separate myself from it.”

Hey that’s fine and dandy and all. And, you know what Jim, when all is said and done I’m sure you’ll make a swell Little League coach, too. But right now you are working for the Cubs and this passive attitude is a bit worrisome.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of this signing and it wasn’t becasue Edmonds was a former Cardinal. With guys like Reed Johnson, Felix Pie and now Micah Hoffpauir, the Cubs can platoon in centerfield and not lose much in defense, which is something Edmonds has over all three of those players. Hoffpauir may not be a natural outfielder but since he won’t be dethroning Derreck Lee any time soon, you might as well get him some AB’s in center and replace him late in a close game if need be.

I’d rather have three younger players hungry for the starting job than a veteran who isn’t afraid of losing his. Yes, baseball is a game of failure and you can’t be upset over every little thing or else you’ll never make it as far as the Major Leagues. But the Cubs already have enough veteran presence in the clubhouse and having Edmonds is doing nothing but hurting the team on the field (even if he’s a great guy off it).

Every good team needs a evenmixture of grizzled vets and hungry young players. The veterans keep the clubhouse at an even keel through the good and bad times of a season. The young guys keep things fresh and throw their bodies around in a way that older players can not. Johnson, Pie and Hoffpauir may never match Edmonds defensive prowess but you can bet they will be hauling ass every day. Not to mention they’ll hit better, too.

I like Edmonds. He’s one of my favorite players and he is arguably the best centerfielder of my generation. But I think his time is done in professional baseball and judging by his most recent comments, I think he’s ready to leave baseball behind and become a full time dad.

You’ve had a great career, Jim. Now, let the kids play.