* depth charts

alternative title: the cagey vet

it doesn't matter where one is on the depth chart. the goal is to get into the game. the (societal) goal is to be the star-ter (or maybe even the closer).

my role has always been middle-relief: bring in the righty when things get tough for the starter. 

joal can give you a couple of good innings. he's got junk: fastball, slider, curveball, change-up... and a splitter. he's not a young-buck, anymore, but he can ball. he's cagey. he's experienced. he's a veteran.

he's not as good as he once was, but he's as good (once) as he all-ways was. [1]

the middle-reliever doesn't get the glory. he doesn't get the trophy-wife. he doesn't get the front-page reviews... but... he does get his perks (and his behind-the-scenes adoration).

he's moved-around on the depth chart, nowadays. there is always another young-buck, climbing the charts (baseball, football, rock stardumb)... but the cagey vet just balls. you can count on him.

someday, he will retire: with a confident smile, a nod to the sparce crowd, and self-respect.

...and "there's only one more big event after retirement." [2]

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[1] toby keith 

[2] bobby bowden