I know sports is a business and we often look at players as assets or detriments to our team. We are concerned with their performance relative to their paychecks. I do get that. But remember, these are also people. People who sacrificed their whole lives, moved away from their families, don’t see their kids, and people who are trying to succeed at the highest levels in front of thousands of people each night.
I feel bad for Jeurys Familia. Familia, the Mets closer who surrendered the three-run homer that knocked the Mets out of the playoffs last night, recorded 51 saves this season. He had a great year. But he stumbled again when it mattered, just like he did last season:
Like 2015 World Series, Jeurys Familia stumbles at inopportune time https://t.co/t6fYXKLZTI #mets
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) October 6, 2016
Familia blew three saves in the 2015 World Series against the Royals. I’ve pitched before, on stages 1/20th as big, and failed just as hard. And even at those levels, the mound is a lonely place when you struggle.
I feel bad for Jeurys Familia today, despite his big paycheck and his good baseball career.
