Baseball is Life - A Manager's Story.

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Background:

Hello and thank you for coming to my dynasty story. I wanted to start off with a little background information before I get started. I had begun a dynasty story in OOTP 19 which I was enjoying. However, when it started getting underway I had lost two family members that summer among other real life events which derailed it completely.

This is a new year and I believed it would be better to start fresh. The story will follow a fictional manager by the name of Mark Landon. The goal is to have at least two updates a week with quite a bit of substance to tell the story. I will always welcome feedback, ideas and critiques to make the story better.

I look forward to sharing with all of you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy telling it!

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My Baseball Journey by Mark Landon.

I don't know why my wife said I should keep a mini journal of this, but as my dad told me years ago, when your wife asks for something, just reply - "Yes, dear."

I wasn't a great player, heck some might say I wasn't very good. I loved baseball, even though it wasn't the popular sport in Canada. Larry Walker, Paul Quantrill, Jeff Zimmerman, I followed all of my fellow Canadians in the majors.

I didn't play for a major college in the US. I stayed home and played. I knew the scouts didn't view Canada as a hot bed for talent but there would be scouts scattered about. I was a catcher. My coaches always said I could call a great game and see the game in a special way. I was an average hitter but I had an amazing arm, I thank my father for that with all those years of catch on the vast fields of the family farm in Alberta.

I was drafted in 2002 but it wasn't until the 22nd round when my name was called. I know not many players drafted that late ever sniff the big leagues but hey, maybe I could be the next Mike Piazza.

To make a long story short, I was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. They had the likes of Mike Matheny, Eli Marrero and Mike DiFelice manning the plate that season. I thought to myself I could learn alot if I ever got the chance to go to spring training with those guys.

By 2004, I was falling behind on the depth chart. A young stud by the name of Yadier Molina was catching the eyes of the team. With that I became expendable and was traded to the Blue Jays for cash considerations that offseason.

I never made it above AA. By the time I was 29 I was out of baseball, at least as a player. The Blue Jays had offered me the role of roving catching instructor for their minor league affiliates. I held that position until I was 33. It was at that point I became the manager for the Lansing Lugnuts. I won't bore you with the details but it was an exhausting experience.

It was made very clear in September of 2018 that John Gibbons wasn't going to be returning as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays. Quite a few baseball pundits had stated the team needed a fresh face during what management was calling a transition period, it looked like a rebuild to me.

In October I got a text message from Ross Atkins asking if I was available to talk. Of course I replied yes. It was a good two hour phone conversation covering everything from the state of the team to my views on how I was performing as a manager. Later that month I got another call, it was to offer me the management position for the Toronto Blue Jays. Of course I said yes, but to say I was nervous is an understatement. I'm not much older than some of these players.

Either way, Spring Training is around the corner and I have a lot of work to do.

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Spring training was over. It was amazing watching some of these new kids. Vladdy Jr, Bo Bichette, Danny Jansen just to name a few. Our roster was young but I knew I wouldn't have these kids on opening day. I am well aware of the team control aspect. Ross Atkins made me aware of the plans.

Sitting in front of my laptop back home I get an email from my father that sends me a link to some predictions for the upcoming season. If I didn't know any better I would think he followed the team more closely than I do. I decide to open the link and this is what I see.



92 Losses?!? The last time they lost 90+ games I was traded to them! Maybe I am a sign of bad luck?

I had to take a moment to get myself composed. I know they are only predictions.I am just a very competitive person and I don't like to lose. Tomorrow is Opening day, time to focus on that.

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Sitting in the home dugout. I was always used to throwing on my catching gear but now I sit here with a lineup card. About two hours before the first pitch and I am nervous. My palms are sweaty, my heart is racing and to top it off, I have to do an interview in a few minutes.

"This is your first year as Blue Jays manager. Not only being a rookie manager, you are also the first Canadian born manager of the team. Does that add any extra pressure?"

The first question from Hazel Mae of Sportsnet sure isn't an easy start.

"I don't feel like there is any added pressure. You know we have a young team and I am a young manager.We all strive to make each other better. The team and I had a great spring training and I see a lot of growth and potential in this team. I am just excited to get the season underway."

I was never great at interviews. But at least with that out of the way I can focus on baseball. General Manager Ross Atkins made one small move during spring training, he brought in veteran infielder Chase Headley. My first managerial move was inserting him as the starting third baseman over Brandon Drury.

First Game Results



It was a nail biter but the first game is out of the way and it was an exciting 6-5 win. I got the Gatorade shower from the team in the clubhouse, many phone calls and text messages from family and friend congratulating me on my first win. But it is only one down, 161 more games to go.