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gskweres9 · 03-31-2019, 03:05 PM

It absolutely happens to everyone.

Travis Everett played a solid baseball game on August 9th. He went 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored and an RBI against the Rays, but a catch crashing into the wall in right field injured his shoulder. The pain was real, but it wasn't enough to keep him from playing. The greatest asset is reliability after all. That shoulder strain would bother him, however, and it had an obvious effect on his performance.

He got a pinch hit at bat the next day on the 10th, but grounded out to short. The 11th was an off day, and then he appeared as a defensive replacement on the 12th and 13th. Travis got the start on the 14th against Washington, but went 0-for-3. On the 15th against St. Louis? 0-for-6 with a strikeout. For the first time in his professional career, Travis' average had dropped below .400. For the first time in his career, he looked...human. Going back to the shoulder injury, Travis was 0-for-12.

Following the game on the 15th, Miko and Travis went to the Dunedin Brewery as they so often did. There wasn't much talk or banter between the two, but they enjoyed each other's presence. Miko had never really cracked the lineup, although he had done well in his limited opportunity, batting .364 in 11 at-bats with a homer.

"I don't know what it is man," Travis says, taking a gulp of his beer before placing it down forcefully on the bar. "I just can't hit right now."

Miko chuckled. "If not knowing how to hit means leading the team in batting average, count me in," he said.

Travis smiled, but he also gave him a little bit of a side-eye. "You know what I mean," he said.

"Of course I know what you mean, but you gotta relax. You hurt your shoulder, slumps happen. Besides, at least you're getting to play," Miko said.

"That's another thing, bro. I'm 0-for-12 and injured, why wouldn't they let you play?" Travis said.

"Don't ask me to get inside Rick's mind," Miko responded.

Rick was the team's manager. He was a reliever with the Royals back in the day, appearing in a total of 29 big league games between 1995 and 1996. The guys liked him. He was a personable guy that wanted the best for his players, but lots of the guys felt like his lineups didn't make much sense. Rick's retort would be to write a lineup of the 70 guys he had in his camp and find one that made more sense than he was doing. He was probably right, but it didn't keep Miko from being frustrated with his lack of playing time, and it didn't keep Travis from feeling for his friend.

"It's bull, man. I didn't expect pro ball to be like this. I'm making dirt money, riding the bench," Miko said. The two fell silent for a bit, then Miko smiled. "And then I have to come drink beer with mopey over here," he finished.

Travis laughed. "You're the one complaining," he said.

"You're the one complaining about hitting .387," Miko quickly retorted.

Travis tipped back the rest of his beer, stood up from the barstool, and put his arm around his friend. "C'mon let's go. Gotta get some sleep so I can get back up over .400 tomorrow," he said.

03-31-2019, 03:05 PM	#9
gskweres9 Major Leagues Join Date: May 2015 Location: Houston Posts: 439	First Struggles It absolutely happens to everyone. Travis Everett played a solid baseball game on August 9th. He went 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored and an RBI against the Rays, but a catch crashing into the wall in right field injured his shoulder. The pain was real, but it wasn't enough to keep him from playing. The greatest asset is reliability after all. That shoulder strain would bother him, however, and it had an obvious effect on his performance. He got a pinch hit at bat the next day on the 10th, but grounded out to short. The 11th was an off day, and then he appeared as a defensive replacement on the 12th and 13th. Travis got the start on the 14th against Washington, but went 0-for-3. On the 15th against St. Louis? 0-for-6 with a strikeout. For the first time in his professional career, Travis' average had dropped below .400. For the first time in his career, he looked...human. Going back to the shoulder injury, Travis was 0-for-12. Following the game on the 15th, Miko and Travis went to the Dunedin Brewery as they so often did. There wasn't much talk or banter between the two, but they enjoyed each other's presence. Miko had never really cracked the lineup, although he had done well in his limited opportunity, batting .364 in 11 at-bats with a homer. "I don't know what it is man," Travis says, taking a gulp of his beer before placing it down forcefully on the bar. "I just can't hit right now." Miko chuckled. "If not knowing how to hit means leading the team in batting average, count me in," he said. Travis smiled, but he also gave him a little bit of a side-eye. "You know what I mean," he said. "Of course I know what you mean, but you gotta relax. You hurt your shoulder, slumps happen. Besides, at least you're getting to play," Miko said. "That's another thing, bro. I'm 0-for-12 and injured, why wouldn't they let you play?" Travis said. "Don't ask me to get inside Rick's mind," Miko responded. Rick was the team's manager. He was a reliever with the Royals back in the day, appearing in a total of 29 big league games between 1995 and 1996. The guys liked him. He was a personable guy that wanted the best for his players, but lots of the guys felt like his lineups didn't make much sense. Rick's retort would be to write a lineup of the 70 guys he had in his camp and find one that made more sense than he was doing. He was probably right, but it didn't keep Miko from being frustrated with his lack of playing time, and it didn't keep Travis from feeling for his friend. "It's bull, man. I didn't expect pro ball to be like this. I'm making dirt money, riding the bench," Miko said. The two fell silent for a bit, then Miko smiled. "And then I have to come drink beer with mopey over here," he finished. Travis laughed. "You're the one complaining," he said. "You're the one complaining about hitting .387," Miko quickly retorted. Travis tipped back the rest of his beer, stood up from the barstool, and put his arm around his friend. "C'mon let's go. Gotta get some sleep so I can get back up over .400 tomorrow," he said.