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Dirk Hayhurst Is In Like With Baseball

Dirk Hayhurst, patron saint of the downtrodden, chose to willingly alienate himself with his fans today, posting a piece that explains that, no, he does not love baseball. It’s a dangerous stance to take, especially as so many work-a-day schmoes would give anything to trade places with him for a day.

Dirk writes:

I like baseball, and that’s as good as it’s going to get. I like it more than any other job option that is out there at the moment, but I could never love it because I know it will never love me back. I’m just another man in a long, string of men it will break the heart and back of should I put either into it’s service for to long. It’s not worthy of my love, just my respect, which I freely give as long as it respects my wishes to keep the relationship strictly professional.

So, dear baseball purist, you ask why then do I play? … I play for the same reasons a lot of people do what they do: because I’m talented at it. Because I enjoy it more than the alternative. Because I’ve spent my life training to do it and walking away to another profession is easier said than done. Because I need the healthcare benefits (as crappy as they are). Because there are certain perks this job has that others don’t. Because making it to the top sets you up for the rest of your life, if you’re good enough to get there.

Which, unfortunately, is just the nature of the beast. Anyone who has ever gotten exactly what they wanted soon learns that the object/opportunity alone does not a fulfilling life make. Even with a dream job, one still must worry about love, money, health, meaning, self-worth, etc.

Hayhurst, as usual, puts a lot of thought into this piece and if you’re being honest with yourself, you should leave his article having a deeper respect for the man and the players you idolize. Because, like, life is hard, man, no matter who you are or what you do. Check out the full article here. 

  1. telesilla reblogged this from oldtimefamilybaseball and added:
    As a fan of both the game and Dirk Hayhurst—seriously if you haven’t read The Bullpen Gospels yet, you really should—I...
  2. oldtimefamilybaseball posted this
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