Disappointment

An era for me has come to an abrupt and sudden end. The impetus for baseball road trips, the inspiration for my love of the game has cast me off with the evening trash. For the first time in eight years, I will no longer be an employee of the Eugene Emeralds. As of last Wednesday, the organization made the decision to not rehire me stating that "the organization was moving in a different direction."

This news is very disappointing to me and signals the complete loss of the wonderful and tight-knit Emeralds organization that we once knew. For the first time, the Emeralds used a temp agency to coordinate all their hiring needs. When I first found out about this, I was puzzled because of the apparent lack of personable relations that the Emeralds management had with their rank-and-file employees. I went to the HR agency, filled out all the paper work including an I-9 and W-2, set-up direct deposit for my bank account and took a drug test. These are steps you usually take when being hired and I was confident that was the case. But, three weeks before the season, I get a phone call from the HR people saying I was not hired. I attempted to call the organization, but was continually referred back to the HR people. It was at this point that I realized that maybe I don't want to work in a place that treats their employees like this and disregards their most senior and veteran rank-and-file employees with utter disdain.

I grew up with the Emeralds. My first job was with them. I remember working as a picnic server on the first base line when I was 16. I worked my way up to being a grill cook on the VIP Deck for four years closing out the old Civic Stadium. Being transferred over to PK Park was a challenge, at first, and I didn't particularly like it. But I had patience and let the operation develop on my grill and out in the bullpen, and I became a fan. This changes everything, though. Last year was the loss of the Beavers, and this year is the loss of the Emeralds. Baseball in Oregon sure is taking on a somber tone, huh?

My love for the game goes way beyond where I work. The money I made there is not an issue as I still have my job at the YMCA and baseball umpiring. I worked there because I just love baseball. I can tell all of you that my fandom for the Eugene Emeralds has come to an end. Baseball is still my favorite sport and the Baseball Road Trips I have planned are going to be awesome. The last time I got fired from a job that I love, it turned out to be the greatest thing that happened to me. If there is a silver lining to all of this, it would be that.

This long weekend will be highlighted by a Sunday trip up to Safeco Field to see the Mariners and Yankees play in an afternoon tilt. I'll update the blog when I get back.

Always take on a 3-0 pitch ;)