In The Cage With My Dad

I sucked at baseball.

SUCKED!

I was always worried the ball was going to hit me. In the field, and especially at bat.

I used to go to the cage, and my father would tell me not to "step in the bucket." He would tell me about the kids who would "run through a wall" to catch the ball. To be honest, I wanted nothing to do with the ball. The farther I was from the ball, the better. My dad was right.

Ever since David Wright got his bell rung last year, he has been "stepping in the bucket." He's scared to swing. He's scared to get hit. That explains his ridiculous platoon splits. It explains why he's striking out every time up. He doesn't swing until he knows the ball isn't going to kill him. It's sad, and pathetic, and (for me at least) completely understandable.

Watch him. Every curveball, he turns his back to the plate. What if it hangs???!?!?! He only hits slow meatballs that get nowhere near him.

David Wright needs some time in the cage with my dad.