This Year Baseball Gives Us the Isle of Misfit Toyz

Here we are just twenty-four days until pitchers and catchers are to report to their team's respective training camp. While the 2008 major league baseball season is rapidly approaching, there are some big time free agent names that still don't have a home for the upcoming campaign. When I saw some of the names that were still left out there, it immediately reminded me of the Christmas classic Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, and the Isle of Misfit Toys. Rudolph stumbles into the land of misfit toys, you know the ones that are just a bit off, or not "right". Well at the end, Rudolph promises them that he will bring back Santa and he would find them a home where the kids will love them. Here are my match ups:


"The Train with square wheels" (Mike Piazza): Yes, as we grow older our wheels no longer have the correct amount of air pressure in them to carry us around as swiftly as they once could. You'll will end up somewhere for one last go 'round...uhem....square.

"Sad Dolly" (Sammy Sosa): If you remember the show, the doll cries, which dolls usually don't do. She is crying because she just wants to be loved. Sammy...you would be loved if you didn't leave the clubhouse in the second inning of a game, and you didn't cork your bats. Maybe one last hurrah for you too.

"Charlie in the Box" (Barry Bonds): Charlie is a misfit because no one wants to play with a Charlie in the Box. How true that is Barry? No one wants to play with you because you are rude, obnoxious, a cheater, a liar and narcissistic. Hmmm..... can't say I would blame anyone for not wanting to play with you.

"The Water Pistol that Squirts Grape Jelly" (Livan Hernandez, Steve Trachsel, Jeff Weaver): Ahh yes, a water pistol usually reminds us of being cooled off on a hot summer's day with some nice clean water. The reason these fine hurlers are linked to Mr. Pistol is that when they take the mound, as of late, what you are left with is a big sticky mess.

Don't get me wrong, I wish all of the perspective free agents well in their endeavors to sign with a new team before the air is filled with the smell of freshly cut dew covered grass. But if not this year....maybe Santa can do you a favor and just drop you anywhere next season (GO Kansas City Royals)!!