In one of the more enjoyable stories in my current MLB '09 league, a 31-year-old journeyman outfielder (who shall remain unnamed) who has enjoyed only marginal success in his career earned himself a starting spot in the All-Star Game with a surprising .341 average, which was good enough to be in the top five in the league. Just as icing on the cake for the great season he was having, on the same day of the All-Star Game, his team awarded him with a one-year contract extension.
All is good in the land of 31-year-old journeyman outfielders, right? Wrong.
In the first series to kick off the second half of the season, the player's team suffered a four-game sweep that has saddled them nicely with the worst record in the league. The player went 0-9 in the series, extending a six-game hitless streak dating back to the last series of the first half, but he was still hitting .330.
So what does the team do? To the horror of realists everywhere, they designate Mr. 31-year-old journeyman outfielder for assignment and place him on irrevocable waivers. He has since cleared waivers and is currently sitting, unhappily, in AAA.
I know, I know. We can complain all we want about improved realism for the AI. That's not why I'm here. Just pointing out what may be the sad end to the greatest season this 31-year-old journeyman outfielder ever had...and a hope for better days of improved AI ahead.
