Players hurt most by team’s demise
We won’t belabor the issue, it’s pretty much a cut-and-dry, done deal. But here are some tids and bits from the demise of a minor league franchise:
n When did Boston Baseball All-Stars, LLC. actually know for sure they were going to pull the plug themselves at the end of the season (which, for home games, came sooner than they thought)? The guess here, and it’s a pretty educated one, was the night of Saturday, June 27. And it wasn’t even an American Defenders of New Hampshire game.
No, it was an exhibition between a team led by retired football great Doug Flutie and former Red Sox hurler Bill Lee vs. the U.S. Military All-Stars, followed by a concert by the Boston-based group “Ernie and the Automatics”. While not a bad thing, it wasn’t exactly the name-type event with a James Taylor or Willie Nelson that was talked about last September when this group came trumpeting in.
The story goes, according to those who were there, that owners and team officials were up in the Diamond Club (formerly the owners suite) – knowing they were losing their shirt on the event – lamenting the community’s lack of support and discussing where to possibly move the club, either before the season ended or soon after. Ouch.
n Lost in the shuffle really have been, as manager Brian Daubach said, the players. They just really had to take it on the chin. They were always wondering if payroll would be met, and then having to stand around on Tuesday to see the tractor parked at home plate really got to a few, who shunned any cameras and recorders put in front of them.
“It’s sad to see it come down to this,” pitcher Lucas Ledbetter said. “Guys who just want to play the game because they love the game. And they can’t. What are you going to do?”
n Two of the more fortunate players are now former Defenders Jared Edmondson (first base/outfielder) and the team’s onetime ace, Bedford’s Nick Asselin. Both were traded to New Jersey and were hanging around during the tractor non-pull the other day. Jersey won the first half and should be loaded for a great playoff run.
“Yeah, I’m happy to be in the playoffs but I miss these guys,” Edmondson said. “This is a great group of guys. We had such a good team, but sometimes things don’t work out. I’m sad to be gone, but that’s business, I guess.”
While the team sold off its talent to save dough, there’s an inkling that president Dan Duquette wanted to help out a couple of his better ballplayers for the stretch run.
n Word is that there was a nice gathering outside Holman Stadium late Tuesday of season ticket holders, current staff members and at least one or two team employees from years past who had heard about the demise and came to pay their final respects. Sad. Very sad. Remember, those of you who want to dance on this franchise’s grave, there is a human element involved here.
n You have to wonder about the future of the Can-Am League. Commissioner, founder, and independent league guru Miles Wolff has now seen three franchises go down the tubes (Ottawa and Atlantic City the other two) since March. Worcester isn’t exactly thriving, either — word is the Tornadoes were fortunate to begin the season, paying last year’s bills with this year’s revenue. Duquette was reportedly telling the Quebec media during Sunday’s showcase in Three Rivers that there were plenty of cities who would be interested in Nashua’s franchise. But you have to wonder whether this ownership group could convince any of them to welcome the team after what’s just happened.
n Got to love the paragraph on the American Defenders’ schedule/advertising billboard on the brick facade just outside the clubhouse. Here’s what it says:
“Mission: To create and build strong value for our community partners while we WIN on and off the field by providing the most unique professional baseball experience possible, infused with fun and distinguished by exceptional service.”
Take that as it is. You be the judge.
Tom King can be reached at 594-6469 or tking@nashuatelegraph.com.
