With the passing of Cub legend Ernie Banks, people have got an opportunity to reflect at one of the great players and human beings in Chicago history. Banks is remembered as a jovial, high spirited, fun loving, nice and exceptionally talented man who in Cub tradition never made it to the post-season stage. He played the game like he did as a kid, with youthful exuberance. Every day he had a chance to play baseball, he felt joyous. It was not a job to him, it was his pleasure.
Banks was the rare individual who performed at a high level playing a child's game with a childlike innocence, respect and intelligence.
Many current players may have started their paths with the same childlike zest for the sport, but over time, the pressure, expectations and money turns the game into dreary work. Being a professional is being able to balance all the conflicting elements of being a highly paid athlete while tapping the inner child's passion for the game.
MLB.com reported that Joe Maddon went to Puerto Rico to see Javy Baez in winter ball. “He’s trying way too hard,” says Maddon. “I
want him to back off. The last thing I want him to do is try to impress
me tonight. … I said, ‘Hit a couple singles and, above all, I want to
see you smile.’”
The 22-year-old Baez’s 2014 stat line
(.169/.227/.324 in 229 plate appearances) was a concern, but written off as understandable given his
youth. But he needs to improve his strikeout rate before
he can make an impact in the big leagues. That is what a professional has to accomplish: adapt to better competition at the final level. As a result of the ramped up expectations on the Cubs, many believe all the Theo-Jed prospects are going to be instant All-Stars. But statistically, that is impossible.
If players like Baez "are trying too hard" to make contact, hit the glamorous home run, and become a star like their press clippings before their time, they will be doomed. The Cubs have a history of touting five-tool, "can't miss" prospects. There are times just to let things play out naturally on the field, like Banks' approach to playing his game.
