By the way, did you notice the tiny pre-steroid/HGH Barry Bonds at the end...?
Okay, so here's my epiphany: Why did the Cubs make Henry Rowengartner a starting pitcher? He only had one pitch in his arsenal - a fastball. This movie was filmed in 1993, so there was no shortage of juiced up steroid monsters in the league at the time (Barry Bonds notwithstanding) who would have no problem adjusting to his uber-fastball. He didn't even consider throwing a change-up until the end of the movie when his arm returned to normal. Rowengartner would be much better suited as a reliever. They should have started him as a setup man and if he handles the pressure OK, move him to closer. A strong fastball can work well in short relief outings (see Aroldis Chapman), but not over 6 or 7 innings.
And here's an even more "out of the box" spot for Rowengartner. Make him the right fielder. Even though his ineptitude in the outfield is what caused his injury in the first place, he's proven that he can make a strong, accurate throw to home from the outfield, and it's a lot easier to learn to play the outfield than it is to master the art and mechanics of MLB pitching. The only downside would be that there would be two almost guaranteed outs in the batting line-up. The solution? Make him a late inning defensive specialist, his at bats won't matter. Plus, in the NL, there are more pinch hitters subbed for relief pitchers, so that evens out his irrelevant bat.
Also according to current Illinois Child Labor Laws:
No minor under the age of 16 years of age shall be employed, permitted or suffered to work:
“In about or in connection with any public messenger or delivery service, bowling alley, pool room, billiard room, skating rink, exhibition park or place of amusement, garage, filling station or service station, or as a bellboy in any hotel or rooming house or about or in connection with power-driven machinery.'"
“In any place or establishment in which intoxicating alcoholic liquors are served or sold for consumption on the premises, or in which such liquors are manufactured or bottled.''
If you ask me, this movie was pretty unrealistic...
I don't think there's much point in pointing out that realism was not the movie's main goal - but there it is anyway.
ReplyDeleteSome notes though - I forgot that John Candy was in the movie; and apparently, so is Gary Busey. And Rowengartner actually DOES sound like a pitcher's name, doesn't it?
Lastly: someone should do a mash-up between Rookie of the Year and The Rookie...