Only A Certified Moron Would Complain About Tim Anderson - PART 2 IS NOW LIVE

Part 2 of my conversation with Tim Anderson is now on the Barstool Baseball YouTube page. You have to subscribe to listen I think. At least that would be a nice feature. I'm not begging you guys. But it's an enlightening conversation into the mind of a guy that simply dominates one of the hardest skills in professional sports. Objectively and unquestionably, some of the best bat/ball skills on the planet. Maybe the best pure, raw hitter. Certainly in the conversation and worth having the argument. 

But maybe equally misunderstood? I'll keep going after you guys see the video. Let me go and it'll be 7 more paragraphs of burying the lede. Here's the convo. 

I think it's convenient the White Sox ran him out on their fan first podcast yesterday. Gave Tim a chance to tell the host that he was "confused" with the hosts coverage last year. He was critical, etc. It was awkward at best and not worth further summary other than to say it's convenient. Most respondents were critical. Tim needs thicker skin. Tougher attitude. Team blows. He's not who he thinks. A bunch of basic shit talking if we're gonna be honest. Stuff you graduate out of with a decent amount of wit and peer pressure growing up but I digress. The shit talking was ever present and redundant than ever. 

If you listened to Part 1, you'll know Tim repeatedly reminded me that nobody has to speak for him. It's a waste of time. People are gonna say whatever they want to say whenever it's convenient. And I can't disagree really. You get to a certain point as a pro athlete and you're largely an object in public perception. Largely. And it seems like Tim's come to terms with that. 

Here's what people are completely missing that I am compelled to say. 

His main message is that the game is fuckin hard. Life is hard. The fact he's even out there making sick plays and talking shit and winning batting titles is an achievement in and of itself. He didn't get in front of a mic and say World Series or bust. He didn't hand out extensions and hire the manager. His job is to play the game, and he'd like to remind everyone watching that the game is very fucking hard. 

That's not a difficult message to understand. And it certainly isn't fair to just gloss over the games difficulty when you blanketly criticize someone's character and motives. The game is fuckin hard man. You try picking it 118 off the turf. 

If you stop there and just embrace the concept of how difficult it is to play SS in the big leagues, I think the room to be critical starts to shrink and you might be able to enjoy yourself. This isn't a game to expect anything other than a competitive attitude. If you're gonna be a pussy then get the fuck off the roster. But other than that, this is the big leagues. The players are all so much better than the best guy from your neighborhood. 

Okay so then if we agree the game is hard, then we can further agree that today is a new day. We're about to begin a new year. Many question and continue to question whether he's the right leader for the Sox. 

I don't know. 

But two years from now he's wearing another uniform unless Jerry Reinsdorf has a change of heart where decades of experience suggest otherwise. 

Anyone want to bet on what happens? 

I didn't think so. 

Try to enjoy him while you can. He wants to win.