Scholarship or Signing Bonus

Put yourself in this difficult position.  You are an 18-year-old graduating senior in high school.  You’ve been offered a full scholarship to play baseball at Auburn University, one of the best programs in the country.  You’ve also been drafted late in the first round and were offered a $1 million signing bonus.  What would you do?  There is no right or wrong answer and it depends on many factors.

What team drafted you?

That’s a fairly minor consideration if you are an outfielder or infielder but a bit more important if you are a pitcher.  I’d certainly hesitate to sign with an organization with a history of ruining young arms.  I’d be a bit more inclined to sign with a winning organization in a city that I like such as Atlanta rather than a perennial losing and rebuilding team.  Then again, if you are a top tier prospect, you could be moved from a contender to a losing team in a trade before you reach MLB.    

Are you a good student?

I recently surprised a Northern relative by informing them that Alabama’s best universities have tough admission standards.  For example, Auburn’s average HS GPA and SAT scores are about 3.8 and 1200 respectively.  At Duke and Vanderbilt, standards are even higher.  If you are an average high school student who makes B’s and C’s, you are unlikely to be able to cope with the academic load and earn a valued degree on your own merit.  Perhaps, you are not college material at all and would be embarking on a career in manual labor if not for baseball.  In that case, it’s an easy decision.  Sign the contract.

Social Life/Team Chemistry

As I’ve stated on previous posts, every player drafted by an MLB team was not just the star of their high school team.  They were among the 2 or 3 best in the conference.  Even the weakest players would rank in the 99^th or even 99.5^th percentile among Varsity high school players.  You will not be a standout in that group unless your skills are other worldly.  That’ll be a bit of a shock.  On the other hand, if you were good enough to be drafted high, you are projected to be a star on the college team and can probably date pretty much anyone.  I would imagine that team chemistry in college is much better than in the Minors.  Big advantage to college.

Socioeconomic Status

A college scholarship is certainly a big deal for a family that is not well off economically.  You’ll have no student debt to pay off and if you have the academic skills, it will set you up nicely for a comfortable life even if you cannot succeed in baseball down the road.  On the other hand, a million-dollar check in a lump sum amount would be nothing short of immediately life changing.  You could buy your parents a nice home in a good neighborhood and have the equivalent of 20 years of an average salary.  Barring stupid decisions, you will have to get a real job but  you will live comfortably even if you fail in baseball.

Coaching/Competition-

The caliber of competition at a top tier college program is not even on par with low-A in the Minors.  Sure, you’ll see a few future Major Leaguers but the average player and even a very good college player will not be good enough to be drafted.  If you go to the Minors, you don’t have to worry about classes and studying for exams and will have access to the best coaches.  You will live and breathe baseball as it will require a 100% commitment.  Because of this, if your skills really are MLB-caliber, you will reach the top up to 2 years sooner and have a greater chance of a longer career.   I would encourage everyone to follow their dreams especially if they are realistic, but you’ve got to have a Plan B.  Take a few classes at the local college or attend a trade school during the off-season.

Age 18 vs 21-

Nobody has a crystal ball and it’s hard to predict how a prospect will develop. You could get injured or develop health problems.   Many HS phenoms stagnate and are passed on the depth chart by those who are still growing at 21.  It may not be until you hit 25 or 26 that it becomes clear that you are not going to make it.  Sure, going to college after washing out in AA ball can be done but enrolling as a Freshman at 25 would not be easy.  I was a 24 year old Gen X-er when I finished graduate school and it was quite difficult to relate to 18 year old Millennials.  Sadly, many players with no other job skills hang on past 30 and play in AAA hoping to get one last cup of coffee in the Majors.  I’ve met one of those guys before.  He was an insurance salesman who told stories of facing Hall of Famers such as Ken Griffey Jr. in Spring Training.  I’ll bet he’s fared better in life after baseball than most other wash outs. 

If you are drafted out of college at 21 or 22, you play in Short Season ball among All-Star caliber college players.  Half are cut the following year and move on with life.  If you survive the cut, you play in low-A then high-A ball.  Players there were among the better of collegiate all stars but still young and raw.  Double A is the league that really separates the men from the boys.  If you are successful there, you’ve got a decent chance of getting at least a cup of coffee in the Majors.  Still, if you want to retire comfortably, you need to last 3 years to become arbitration eligible, in which case you get the multi-million dollar contract.  High school players drafted in the top 100 overall (Rounds 1-3) have about a 1 in 6 chance of appearing in at least 1 MLB game.  Since it’s easier to predict a 21 year old’s development, their odds improve to 2 in 5.  Still, more often than not, you won’t make it. 

What would I have done?

I come from an upper-middle class family and had the grades to get into a school of the caliber of Auburn or Clemson but not Duke or Vanderbilt without an athletic scholarship.  If given a signing bonus of $1 million, I would go to college and hope to be drafted again 3 years later.  It would not be all that difficult of a decision.  A $5 million bonus?  I’d rethink it.  That means that I was among the top 5 picks overall and pretty much a can’t miss prospect.  I’d definitely sign that contract but would have a Plan B.  It would take at least $2M to sign me.  Probably $2.5.

Blue Ridge Pictures

Caesar's Head

This is one of the highest points in South Carolina, less than an hour north of Greenville, just across the North Carolina line.

Table Rock

Just west of Caesar's Head and still in South Carolina.  I spent many relaxing hours here especially when I was stressed out over school.

Gatlinburg

Blue Ridge Pkwy

A scenic overlook on the Blue Ridge Pkwy between Cherokee and Asheville in North Carolina..

Mt. Mitchell

6,684 feet elevation.  Highest point in the East.

Brasstown Bald

Grandfather Mtn.

TN Falls

Around sunrise

Past Mt. Mitchell on the way to Linville Falls

Training 8/22-9/1

8/22- AM. Opener in 3:00.9 (9:02 pace).  Closer in 2:40.9 (8:02 pace).  Gap is down to 60 on 10 sprays.

PM- 3 miles in 27:30 (9:10 pace).  Still clearing out the tyrosine+C.  No panic.
Distance=4.0

8/23- AM- Opener in 2:37 (7:51 pace).  Closer in 2:14 (6:42 pace).  Gap actually increased to 69.  Not sure what to make of that but it's not a significant difference from 60.

PM- 2 miles in 17:29 (8:45 pace) plus a short warm and cool.  Doesn't look good on the surface but it was done in spite of not taking the afternoon dose of TRS.  I probably would have beaten yesterday's time without it.  However, I am prepared for the possibility that despite doing everything right, I'll still be running mediocre times with very poor energy levels.  If that's the case, I will get the dental implant removed.  Worst case, I see a conventional doctor but I refuse to take anti-depressants or talk to a quack psychologist.
Distance=3.0

8/24- Another failure.  STUPID on my part.  I crossed the line with the sulfur.  Walk jogged a mile then came back roaring in the evening with a lap at Montreat in 4:09 (12:27 pace).
Distance=1.0

8/25-AM- Opener in 3:51 (11:33 pace).  Closer in 3:35 (10:45 pace).  The gap is down to 48.  It is becoming increasingly clear that the TRS will not be enough.  Replacing the dental implant, I'm afraid is my best hope.

PM- 3 miles at Montreat in 28:30 (9:30 pace) with pretty even or slightly negative splits.  For Day 1, this wasn't too bad.
Distance=4.0

8/26- Split decision today.
AM- Opener- 2:55 (8:45 pace).  5 sprays- 2:47 (8:21 pace).  10 sprays- 2:45 (8:15 pace).
The gap is down to 30 and I am cutting it to 5 sprays.

PM- 3 miles in 26:56 (8:59 pace).  Heart was not into it but still improved by 31/mile on Day 2.   I'll take it.  The TRS gap may be almost completely gone soon so if I cannot improve in the next month or so, another option must be pursued.  I contacted the denty about the new material for the implant and have yet to receive a response.
Distance=4.0

8/27- AM.  Opener in 2:39.8 (7:59 pace).  Closer in 2:32.2 (7:36 pace).  Gap has been whittled down to just 23 seconds, which actually less than 5%.  As of today, I am no longer getting significant gains on a daily basis from TRS.    Yes, I was flat out on the closer too.  All I can do is be diligent in avoiding sulfur and hope for consistent improvements though I'll bet that I plateau around 22:30 for 3 miles.

PM- Expected to be in the 25s  today and that's what I got.  Finished the usual 3 miler in 25:14 (8:25 pace).  MINUS 34 compared to yesterday.  I may have a shot at the Mendoza line tomorrow.  Eventually, I will level off but when?  My "bare ass" minimum standard for 3 miles is to be consistently under 21 minutes.  That means on my best day, I should around 20:15, or around 21-flat for 5K.  If I can't do that in spite of steady training, I've got to pursue another solution.  I was very nearly there in 2017 but there was no consistency. 

As for the TRS, it will soon become just like all my other pills.  One day off will be barely noticeable if at all.  Even 2 days off will be "probably okay" but any more than that is asking for trouble.  I am sulfur-free for the 3rd straight day and am confident that I will never use it again.  I have cheated on caffeine but I can get away with the occasional Coke.
Distance=4.0

8/28- AM- NO WORKOUT.  I'm done with these tests until further notice.  TRS gap will continue to shrink.  I am down to 5 sprays in the morning and 5 in the afternoon.

PM- Montreat 3 in 24:50 (8:17 pace).  Had to settle for a modest improvement this time.  I sure hope that I am not already near the plateau.  Granted, the Montreat loop is rolling so it probably translates to about 24:20 at Gold's.  Weather was in the mid-80s and dry so that wasn't much of a factor.  An occasional Coke won't hurt me.  A daily habit?  I won't collapse because of it but it will almost certainly slow me down.  Keep that to a minimum if at all.
Distance=3.0

8/28- Settled for another modest improvement.  3 miles this time on Lakeshore in 24:29 (8:10 pace).  My numbers are moving in the right direction so it could be worse but I expected better than this.  The plateau could come in the 23s instead of the 22s.  Way short of the bare ass minimum standard.
Distance-3.0

8/29- Well, I did relapse today but it's a relapse that I can understand and accept.  My adrenals have spiked, which is a common occurrence after solving a MAJOR issue as was the case with the TRS detox.  Funny thing is that when I first took off, I felt the best I have in a while.  I was doing an easy 7:40 pace for the first quarter mile.  It was downhill from there however.  I was still under 4 at the half mile but could tell that I was losing it.  Turned around and managed only a 4:45 on the back half.

Got home and felt much worse.  It took 3:27 to run a loop at Montreat BUT improved to 3:03 after I popped just 2 Thym-Adren pills.
Distance=2.0

8/30- Planned rest day.

8/31- Opener in 3:17 (9:51 pace).  BTC 3 miler in 29:51 (9:57 pace) after 6 Thym-Adren pills and it took a rally in the last half mile to get under 30.  This was a very hilly route so it's probably the equivalent of a 29-flat at Gold's.  Got home and about an hour later, I surprised myself with a 2:30 closer (7:30 pace).  MINUS 2:21.  I know the drill now.  The adrenals will calm down and I won't need the Thym-Adren much longer.  Both the floor and ceiling will improve but the floor will improve faster, resulting in less of a gap.  I'm afraid that I will plateau in the 23s and further intervention will be required.  I'm going back and forth on replacing the dental implant.
Distance=4.0   

9/1- AM.  Nothing surprises me anymore.  I flipped from over-stimulation to lethargic literally overnight.  Thym-Adren made things MUCH worse.  This wasn't unexpected but I never thought it would happen so quickly.  In any event, I knew I was bad before I started.  Did only 1 mile on Lakeshore in a time approaching 12.

PM- Got some clearance but managed only a 9:34 this time on my home turf at Montreat.  I'm betting that the Thym-Adren is now out.  I'll go back to the modulator.  I thought about a thyroid test but am 90% confident that it will come back not just lab normal but solidly within the normal range.  Another adrenal spike and/or a spike in the need for TRS is likely if I get the implant out but a few rough days or even a few rough weeks is a price that I am willing to pay because it means improvement is on the way.
Distance=2.0

-34 miles

Detox Update-3

I’ve done very little training over the last several days due to family commitments, but I have learned quite a bit.  Once again, in theory, I have a path to balance.  The problem is that my theories have never worked out in practice.  I tried 3 neuro treatments despite not expecting much.  Here are the results:

5-HTP (Serotonin)- Non-factor

Mucuna Prureins (Dopamine)- Worse.  More overstimulated.

Tyrosine +C (Adrenaline)- Worse. More Overstimulated.

My neuros are okay.  I am nearly certain.  I might consider a thyroid test but once again, I’m pretty sure that would also come back normal.  The only thing I can do is stick to my current formula and hope improvements will come with time.

TRS- Mega doses are required.  I feel MUCH better immediately after taking it.  It is the one treatment that I cannot do without.  I take 10 sprays in the morning and 10 sprays in the evening.  That’s actually down from 15 last week and it may come down further down the road.  I did one interval workout that sealed the deal.  Though unsure of the exact distance, it was probably about 400 meters and here were the results:

Opener- 2:14.  5 sprays- 1:57.  10 sprays- 1:45.  15 sprays- 1:44.7

Only fractionally better from 10-15.  I’m cutting that to 10.  The problem is that it does wear off around lunchtime when I take it first thing in the morning.  I must hold off until late afternoon or I will go broke.  It’s very expensive.  Maybe a cut to 5 sprays x 2 is in my future.

Problems Tolerating the TRS?

That is almost certainly attributed to Sulfur.  Just avoid the sulfur containing amino acids from all sources and I should have no trouble tolerating TRS. 

Need for Methylation, Sarcosine and Maca:

If I miss a day or two, it’s okay.  I can get away with it.  Hell, I won’t even notice it on the first day and probably not on the second day either.  Anything beyond that is asking for trouble however.  I learned the hard way that a week off Maca led to awful symptoms.  I may be able to quit the DIM however.  Again, that is sure a lot better than where I was when I need an exact cocktail every single day or else.

Magnesium and ADHS:

I probably won’t notice if I took a whole week off that stuff but I know that I’d have trouble if I quit it permanently.  I thought about adding back Selenium but I expect that would be a non-factor.  TRS does the same job of eliminating Arsenic. 

I am prepared for the possibility of a plateau FAR below my peak or continuing to get worse in spite of doing everything right.  I do have one last option.  That is removal of my titanium dental implant.  I got it in Spring 2013 and a quick read through reveals that my downturn began before that but accelerated thereafter.  A hair test can reveal the extent of the toxicity.  It’s possible that it’s not an issue at all.  I’d also be interested in the status of my other toxic metals.

Spain and Morocco Trip Plan

This trip is still a few years away, but it could be LOTS of fun.  I can add 3 to my Century Club tally without completely breaking the bank.  Here’s how:

Fly into Tangier, Morocco on the Mediterranean coast.  It will be a 17-21 hour trip with the layovers and will probably take 3 flights out of Atlanta but the prices are surprisingly affordable.  I found a couple deals on Kayak for between $1000-1200 round trip.  Not bad.  I will also be able to save about $400-500 because I will NOT have to rent a car.  There is good taxi service at fixed prices between the airport and my hotel.  As is the case in sub-Saharan Africa, I can get a 4-star hotel on the beach for a 2-star price.

There won’t be much surf on the Mediterranean coast, but I’ll be wiped out from the 5-hour jet lag so I’ll want to take it easy for the first day anyway.  I’ll enjoy a walk on the beach, a camel ride and a stroll through town.  Later on, I’d like to sip a mint tea from Café Hafa overlooking the sea and hike up Parc Rmilat for breathtaking views.  On a clear day, you can see Europe from the top.  Hercules Cave is also a must see.  I do have the option of taking a train to Casablanca or pretty much any other city from Tangier but that would require a separate trip.  Supposedly, there is excellent surf further south on the Atlantic coast but that will be experienced in Spain this time.  

From my hotel in Tangier, I can walk to catch a 1 hour ferry to Tarifa, Spain.  I can assume that there will be plenty of taxis that can take me to my hotel.  Playa Bolonia is one of the nicest beaches that I have seen on YouTube and add to that, 4-6 foot waves are the norm.   Both mountains and views of Africa can be seen from the shore That will be AWESOME. 

From Tarifa, I’ll want to take a 17-mile ride into the British enclave of Gibraltar.  The Rock is a must see there and a couple English pubs could be cool.  If the trip ended there, it would be epic but I’d still want that quintessential Spain experience in Seville, which is only a short 2 hour bus ride away.   I’d probably only spend a night and a day there.  A simple walking tour of the city and a night out would be pretty cool.  I’d want to see the biggest cathedral, the plaza and possibly the bull fighting arena.  I could choose to fly back from either Gibraltar or Seville.  Both appear to be reasonably priced as well.  Madrid is fairly close by but once again, I can’t see everything. 

Language barrier:

English will serve me just fine in Gibraltar.  The rest of the trip would require at least some knowledge of Spanish in Spain (different from Mexican Spanish) plus French in Morocco.  My skills in both are improving thanks to Duo Lingo. 

Best time to go:

I’m thinking September.  It’s a Mediterranean climate so that means mild but rainy winters while summer and early Fall are warm and dry.  Surf is normally calmer in Tarifa in the summer but picks back up starting in September.  I can expect 80 degree high temperatures with less than 1 inch of rain per month in Tangier.  Tarifa will be sunny and 75 with a water temp around 70.  That’s a bit chilly but on par with New England in August, which was still fairly comfortable. 

Solo Trip:

Yes, I would feel comfortable on my own, but I would prefer a companion.  I found a site called Get a Friend for Life, which connects solo travelers with companions to split costs of lodging.  When it’s time, I’ll put this trip out there and see if there is any interest.  I’ll bet that there will be.   

Training 8/12-8/18

I had to write last week off as a total loss.  Sulfur was the culprit and CBS/NOS pills were not enough to counteract it.  That means no Taurine from any source and no Glutamine either.  DIM and Maca are question marks but I do hope that I will be able to quit both of them.  They are expensive.

8/12- DAY 1- I am back on MEGA doses of TRS (15 sprays in the morning+ 15 in the afternoon).
I felt better after taking the morning dose but it wore off shortly after lunch.  1/3 mile intervals at Gold's.  It's good that I can take that much.  The more I take, the faster the toxins come out.
Opener- 3:54 (11:42 pace)
7 sprays- 3:20 (10:00 pace)  MINUS 1:42
14 sprays- 2:41 (8:03 pace)  MINUS 1:57.
The official gap is 3:39/mile but the real gap is more than 4:00.  I was not flat out on the last interval because I needed to save some for the 2 miler afterwards.

Did the 2 miles after a 1/4 mile walk break in an abysmal 21:28 (10:44 pace) but did manage a negative split (10:54-10:34).  I'll see a similar pattern as usual.  Both the floor and ceiling will improve but the floor will improve faster, resulting in lower gaps.  Eventually, the mega doses will come down as well.  I predict a sub-30 for 3 miles tomorrow.
Distance=3.0

8/13- DAY 2- AM- Opener in 3:23 (10:09 pace)  MINUS 93.  Closer in 2:27 (7:21 pace).  MINUS 42
As expected, both the floor and ceiling improved but the floor improved by a lot more.  At any rate, the gap has been reduced from 3:39/mile to 2:48.

PM- 3 miles at Gold's in 27:44 (9:15 pace).  MINUS 89.  I'll take it.  Steady improvements with no more relapses and I'll be back to form soon.  I've said it a thousand times.
Distance=4.0

8/14- DAY 3- AM- Opener in 2:58.8 (8:56 pace).  Closer in 2:17.0 (6:51 pace).  The floor improved by 73 and the ceiling came up by 30.  The gap has been reduced to 2:05.

PM- 3 miles in 25:51 (8:37 pace).  MINUS 38.  I predicted that I would be in the 25s today and I was correct.  Improvements will be slower from this point on.  I hope to be under the Mendoza line in 2 days but I'll probably fall short tomorrow.  The gap will probably be 1:30-1:45.
Distance=4.0

8/15- BAFA day.  AM- Opener in an even 2:40 (8:00 pace).  MINUS 56.  Closer in 2:07 (6:21 pace).  MINUS 30.  The gap is down to 99 seconds.  When it drops below 60, I can reduce the dosage.

PM- 3 miles in 24:15 (8:05 pace).  Everything is going as planned so far.  I fell short of the Mendoza line but ran an even pace.  Compared to yesterday, I was MINUS 32.  Getting below 24 won't be hard.  Getting below 23 should not be hard either.  Under 22?  That could be rough.
Distance=4.0

Southern New England Road Trip

Standard fare for a Crazy J Road trip.  Always on the move with very little idle time.

8/2- Flew out of Atlanta to Boston via Spirit Airlines.  I do NOT recommend them.  I was charged $55 for a carry on bag.  On most other airlines, it fits under the seat and there is no charge.  Not so this time.  At any rate, I arrived on time and got my rental car.  Driving in Boston was a little dicey but I made it to a nearby T-station after some circling around.  It was Blue Line to Government Center then Green Line to Kenmore with a short walk to Fenway Park.  I got there just in time for the 11:00 stadium tour.  That was really cool.  I heard plenty of interesting stories about the oldest stadium in MLB.  I got to view the Visitor's Clubhouse and the press box as well as to sit in the stands on top of the Green Monster.

After a quick lunch across the street, I took the T back to the airport station then hit the road to Connecticut via I-90.  Bad call there.  Take I-95 instead.   Traffic was nasty and I only averaged about 25 mph but once I hit 395, it was smooth sailing to my destination in Groton.  Dinner was a pretty good steak at a diner near the Mystic seaport.  My final stop was Bluff Point Park for sunset.

8/3- After about a 15 minute drive to New London, I arrived in Ocean Beach for my race.  The normal high/low temps for this area are 82/68F and yes, Connecticut can get heat waves in which temps climb over 90.  Today was about average but unfortunately, the race did not begin until 9 AM so that meant it was high noon when the last finishers came plus there was virtually no cloud cover.  I'm normally done with my long runs before 8:30 in the summer so this was hot.  Temps were already pushing 80 by the start and it had climbed higher by the finish.  That said, cooler conditions would not have made much difference.  My formula was off and I melted down after just 3 miles.  I employed a walk/jog strategy to remain as comfortable as possible, which later evolved into more walking than jogging.  Nevertheless, I beat the cutoff with plenty of time to spare and state #42 is in the books.  After a quick dip in the cool water, I hit the road again to Narragansett, Rhode Island.

Ocean Beach, Connecticut

As for the New England beaches, nothing even remotely compares with the Emerald Coast on the FLA/ALA line.  Connecticut is all on the Long Island Sound, which means whiter and softer sand but zero surf.  In Rhode Island and neighboring Massachusetts, sand is grayish and brown near the water, which is not nearly as clear as in the South.  On the plus side, Rhode Island does have pretty consistent surf and felt a tad warmer than Connecticut as well.  It didn't take long before I was comfortable in those cool waters and I got plenty of good waist high rides all the way to the shore.  All in all, it was an enjoyable afternoon.  Dinner was in Newport which was followed by a walk to the beach to see the sunset.

Rhode Island Coast

Newport

8/4- I took a later flight to steal a few more hours in the surf, this time at Horseneck Beach in Massachusetts, about 1 hour from Boston.  Conditions were similar to Rhode Island albeit with a bit more seaweed and a few rocks on the ocean floor.  It was a fun morning but I would have to leave to catch my flight back.  This one was delayed by 90 minutes and I did not get home until midnight.  The next day, I was up at 6:30 and ready for work. 

Final Thoughts:
The rental car expense is the one cost that I dislike the most but on this trip, it was a necessity.  If you plan to stick to Boston, you can simply use the T and stay on the outskirts where hotels are more reasonable.  No doubt, this is the best time of year to visit if you want to hit the beaches.  The risk of a hot weather race was a price that I was willing to pay for time in the surf.  What is my favorite state of the 3 that I just visited?  I've got to say Rhode Island.  It's small but Providence and Newport can be fun at night.  Both New York and Boston are fairly easily accessible and IMO, the best beaches in the region can be found here in what is known as the Ocean State.  I still need Maine and New Hampshire so I'll be up this way again but most likely will stick to northern New England and Canada on those trips.