There’s a story here. Shakespearean in nature. Full of mystery, confusion, and a tragic hero.
The difference between a penned prose and an unfolding event is direction. The story has not yet been written. In fact, it hasn’t even started. But it’s here, and its existence is fascinating.
Professional athletes are assets with a pulse. They can be traded, valuated, obtained, and dissolved. We see each of the possibilities unfold constantly, and each is acceptable in our minds, whether or not we agree with the outcome.
Then there are the rare occasions where intentions are aligned throughout the process, only to be interrupted by something that could not be calculated or considered in the equation. Call it “luck.” Call it “fate.” Whatever it is, it answers to no one.
The New York Yankees laid out a plan. Surely, it was ever-changing, but it had a direction, nonetheless. It involved winning. It involved development. It involved healthy competition within the organization to establish a hierarchy.
Dustin Fowler won the competition. He outplayed his teammates – who were, in essence, his opponents – to earn a spot on a Major League roster as soon as an opening appeared. He was chosen to fill the opening. Fate said otherwise.
Imagine a woman deciding between two men who both want to take her on a date. However it plays out, one clearly separates himself from the other and ‘wins’ her affection. She chooses him. Almost immediately after, the chosen man – for one reason or another – is no longer able to continue dating her. She then returns to the other option.
Is this crude example the same scenario as the Yankees almost instantly turning to Clint Frazier in the sudden absence of Dustin Fowler? Not exactly, as multiple positions on a baseball field can not be equated to a one-on-one relationship between two people – and Frazier’s time was imminent. But the direct swap within such a short timeframe leads to such an obvious connection being made.
Certainly Shakespeare could have written the example situation more eloquently, but he would have conjured up such a moment. It would have been a work of fiction where he could ultimately decides where it goes. How it ends. Which man would have truly been better for the woman. He also would have been able to explain why.
When Dustin Fowler crashed into the wall in foul territory during his Major League debut, the course of three different entities were altered. The first was obvious, as Fowler would now be forced to see his on-field experience delayed. Thankfully – and not to be taken lightly – the injury does not appear to be threatening the remainder of his career. Prayers, thoughts, and heavy hearts will be with the young prospect throughout his recovery.
The plans of the Yankees – originally only tied to Fowler’s abilities – were also jarred. Fowler was expected to be a replacement for one of the many injured outfielders on the roster. New York then had to look elsewhere. Enter the third leg of the triangle.
Prior to the 2017 season, the two names most discussed in the Yankees’ farm system were Gleyber Torres and Clint Frazier. The prized possessions of general manager Brian Cashman’s maneuvering, last season, were both expected to contribute to the future success of the Yankees. A season-ending injury to Torres left Frazier as the top-prospect-in-waiting. But, as a result of the simplest level of competition, Frazier was outplayed by Fowler. Until, again, another season-ending injury left Frazier as the top-prospect-in-waiting.
Now, here he is.
This story, completely unwritten, is undeniably unfair to all parties involved. What happened to Fowler was borderline catastrophic and so upsetting that my wife – who is hardly interested in sports – went out and sought the resulting story from his injury one day later. And Frazier, the beneficiary of a now-open roster spot will forever be tied to Fowler. It’s sad. Sick, actually. And, again, unfair.
Clint Frazier can do nothing more than play the best brand of baseball possible. He can’t alter the circumstances surrounding his Major League debut any more than Fowler could have altered his actual debut. Fate has thrown a wicked pitch and caught two batters in the process. And it’s not the first time it has happened.
During the free agent period that preceded the 2016 season, outfielder Dexter Fowler – no relation, but the coincidence in names is astounding – was supposed to sign with the Baltimore Orioles. There was even a deal in place. He backed out and joined the Cubs. One week into the season, on a fluke play, Fowler crashed into left fielder Kyle Schwarber. The collision tore Schwarber’s knee and left him out for the remainder of the season. In heroic, storybook fashion, Schwarber returned to action in time to help the Cubs win their first World Series in over a decade.
Hopefully, Fowler can have as majestic a return to Major League action when he is healthy. But he is no longer the protagonist of the story. That honor suddenly – and unexpectedly – belongs to Clint Frazier. And, if this is the start an illustrious career, the prologue will certainly contain a Shakespearean tragic figure: Dustin Fowler.
Here’s to wishing for a full recovery for Fowler in which both he and Frazier can take the field for the New York Yankees together. In the meantime, we are about to watch a Shakespearean play write itself.