800 Thousand Sure Doesn't Mean What It Used To

Back in the older, golden times of professional sports, athletes were paid for ability.  For actual proven track record.  And not, mind you, for potential or wingspan or family bloodline. 

Now, granted, Joey Gathright has none of these.  But, the man can do this.

Now, if that alone isn't enough to guarantee millions, consider the following:  he did it all while he had his glasses on.  Smart, and athletic, this Joey Gathright is.

And, now worth 800 grand, as property of the Chicago Cubs.

What amounts to the "career" that Joey Gathright has had, is one that surely inspires empathy of the greatest magnitude, if only because, Gathright possesses the gift of amazing speed.  Unfortunately, that's about the only amazing thing about him (aside from his car-jumping ability).

In just under what would amount to two full seasons of AB's throughout his playing days with Kansas City and Tampa Bay, Gathright has managed to hit just over .263.  Miraculous, if you consider that he's only had 38 XBH throughout that stretch.  For those wondering about at what point he'll catch Barry Bonds, don't worry, that day will come soon.  At the currently blistering pace he's at now (one homer every 408 games, roughly once every two seasons), he'd have to play til he's 1,933 years old.  That's assuming, of course, he plays 162 games a year from now until then.  

I myself am guilty of falling in love with speed.  Men, most notably, fall for this trap.  We want things fast, no matter the quality.  Fast cars, fast internet, fast women, and, most importantly, fast outfielders.

Joey Gathright is nothing but a sad by-product of the system that demands speed, but doesn't reward the fleet of foot.

Hopefully, rejuvenation as a bench player for the Cubbies can renew this speedy deity, and restore him to the prominent heights he was truly meant to reach.