It’s not how many times you get knocked down, but rather how many times you get back up. Okay, that’s just one of the many corny sayings regarding comebacks, but aside from its cheesy roots, comebacks are an inevitable aspect of life, and an even more inevitable part of sports.
Last year’s Major League Baseball season had its share of great plays, All-Star moments, and, yes, disappointments. Disappointing games, disappointing teams, and disappointing players in the minds of fans and franchise front offices. But 2014 will offer an opportunity for those very same teams and players to rewrite a chapter of a book they’d prefer have a happy ending. Still, death and taxes are the only certainties in life, and that adage never said anything about happy endings.
The following are players in need of a comeback in 2014, but only a few will succeed in doing so:
Ryan Howard – The Philadelphia Phillies’ slugger has had his last two seasons cut in half by injury and, at the age of 34, may be at a tipping point regarding what he has or doesn’t have left in the tank. His statistics have been in decline for the past three seasons and have been severely stunted by his complete ineptitude versus left-handed pitching. He’s hitting .173 versus lefties over the past two seasons and, if he continues at that clip, the Phillies may be forced to turn their $25 million man into a highly overpaid platoon player. After tearing his Achilles late in 2011, his knee problems last year, and the inability to get the type of “help” available to players in the late-90’s and early-2000’s, I fear Howard will not provide the Phillies with the type of comeback they need from him.
Tim Lincecum – Mitch Kramer, fresh from a late night party at the Moon Tower, recently…err…I’m sorry, he just looks so much like the annoying freshman from “Dazed And Confused.” Tim Lincecum, fresh from his newly inked contract with the Giants, will be under the microscope of baseball experts and Giants’ fans alike, due to the seemingly inordinate amount of money San Francisco chose to pay the 2-time Cy Young award winner clinging desperately to what he once was. His loss of velocity, coupled with his diminished statistics over the past two years has a lot of people scratching their heads over the $35 million Giant brass just gave him over the next two years. At 29, he’s not an old man, but his awkward throwing motion coupled with his relatively small stature puts him on my “unlikely to get back” list, but smack-dab in the middle of my list of guys who’ll move back at least in the direction of what they used to be.
Albert Pujols – Albert is happy with his offseason progress and is “really excited” with how things are proceeding heading into 2014…shocking. We know how this works: Guy gets hurt, guy rehabs, guy gets healthy and excited for the upcoming season. Uh huh, we’ve seen it all before. Problem being; Albert ain’t young, and based on the track record of players stemming from where Albert stems from…Albert may not even be as “young” as we think he is. I wish him the best because I’ve always admired his ability to do what he’s always done, and allegedly done the right way in an era few did it right, but due to his age, I’m hesitant to say the following: I think he gets it back this year, but the aforementioned health will decide whether or not he’s able to sustain it for the entire 2014 season.
Alex Rodriguez – He’s not coming back. I know, difficult to imagine a guy his age, with that baggage, and without the necessary “baggage,” being anywhere but back atop Major League Baseball in years to come. But barring a Benjamin Button situation, an about-face with MLB’s drug testing program, or a customized DeLorean, you can probably stick a fork in New York’s favorite Minotaur.
Matt Kemp – Yes, he’ll be back, but what the Dodgers do with him will be the big mystery surrounding the one-time MVP candidate. Kemp spent most of 2013 on the sidelines with ankle and shoulder injuries, and while he’s expected to be a go for the upcoming season, many speculate whether his defense will be compromised due to said ankle, and if so, where does that leave him in an outfield with one too many suitors? Verdict: There will be a return to form for Mr. Kemp, and his return will force Andre Ethier or Carl Crawford either to the trade block or the doghouse due to a diminished role. Kemp has already said he wants no part of a “fourth outfielder” role, and due to my predicted performance coupled with his salary situation…I don’t see him having to worry about it.
Jason Heyward – After a pretty nice 2012, Heyward saw a predictable dip in production last year due to an injury-plagued season which limited him to just 104 games played. That won’t be the case this year. I expect Heyward to have a huge year due to the following: He’s 24, his injuries last year (Appendectomy and broken jaw) will have zero effect on his play this year, and he’s not tied to the Braves long-term, which means he’s hungry for a payday when his contract in Atlanta is up in two years.
Derek Jeter – It’s over for the Captain. I hate to rain on the Yankees’ favorite son, but if history’s showed us anything in regards to players his age (without of course the aid of PED’s), it’s that once it goes…it goes. I think Derek’s will and work ethic will allow him a serviceable year to an extent, but I think he’ll be limited by his body, and due to such will be little more than a parade float coming to your town soon.
Josh Hamilton – Who knows?! I hate to be “that guy,” but this guy’s entirely too volatile for me to predict whether or not he’s capable of returning from the dead that was his 2013. Is he physically capable of returning to the form of just a year or two ago? Absolutely, there are few in the game with his type of talent. But is he mentally committed to the work and concentration necessary to succeed at the level worthy of the ridiculous contract he signed a year ago? I’ll leave that to the Magic Eight Ball.
Right or wrong, I’ll be interested to see whether some, all, or any of the aforementioned players are able to regain what they once had. Baseball’s a tough game, and a game made that much tougher due to injury, advanced age, and/or a fragile psyche shattered by the game itself. But fans hope for, franchises try to plan around, and teams depend on comebacks from them all, yet there are no sure things in life, and definitely none of them in baseball.
