You hear a lot about these guys that made millions in the big leagues and then get in trouble when they go back to their native central American countries (Dotel, Loiaza, Tejada). On top of that, the locals know they are wealthy and they and their family become targets of violence and kidnapping. Live out the American dream, play ball here, make millions, bring over your family, retire in the States, live happily ever after.
Yes, that one season is entirely responsible for the difference in perception between Wandy and Keuchel despite that in the aggregate they’ve been equals. I do wonder how good Wandy might’ve been had he pitched under Strom in his youth/prime.
Keuchel started his career almost exactly like Wandy. He is on record acknowledging how the changes Luhnow brought drastically impacted his career and was as big a factor in his success as anything. His acceptance of analytics, pitch selection, and the shift basically turned him from a AAAA pitcher with potentially a less than 5 year career to a top of the rotation, all star starter.
Roger Clemens is one of four Astros pitchers to win Cy Young Award. I mainly have good memories of him as an Astro.
Worked for Big Papi. Didn’t work for A-Rod. All the PED/cheating scandal players have to be well liked by the media to have a chance of future employment or enshrinement in the game…
Singleton belongs in Japan or Korea: make decent money, minimal expenses, zero tolerance drug laws, ubiquitous healthy food
