Moose Ponders…
Via Mark Feinsand -
Reached Monday at his home in Montoursville, Pa., Mussina told the Daily News that he is still undecided when it comes to playing next season.
“Not yet,” Mussina said when asked if he was close to a verdict. “I’m just enjoying being home right now.”
“I haven’t really put a timetable on it,” Mussina said of his decision. “The playoffs are still going on and it still seems like the season just ended. I’m not rushing after it, but I know sooner or later I’m going to have to figure out what I want to do.”
After beating the Red Sox on Sept. 28 for No. 20, Mussina said he was “completely satisfied” with his career if this were the end, though he left the door open for a return and a run at 300 wins.
“As of right now, it’s my last game in my last year, so I don’t know what the future holds,” Mussina said at Fenway Park that night. “It could be my last year or it may not be my last year, but when you get to your 18th season, it could always be your last year.”
Any time someone says they need to think about doing something, there’s always the chance that they will decide that they don’t want to do it. At this stage of Mussina’s career, it’s a lot of work to prepare for a season. And, Mike has already said that…if he’s coming back…it would be for three seasons (to reach 300 wins) and not just one. I find it doubtful, knowing what we know about Moose, that he wants to do that work for the next three years – given his age, family situation, financial status, etc.
The only thing I can figure here is…maybe…just maybe…he wants to keep his options open, somewhat, and then maybe get the deal that Clemens got in 2007…where Cashman is dying for a starting pitcher, throws a ton of money at Mike in May, and allows him to go home when he’s not pitching, etc.
I’m not saying this as fact…just that it’s possible Mussina could be thinking about wanting to do that in 2009…like Rocket did in 2007.
just that it’s possible Mussina could be thinking about wanting to do that in 2009…like Rocket did in 2007.
———
I doubt that, if he’s chasing 300 wins.
Unless, maybe he just wants one last, and big, comfortable payday…
Given that he’s made over $133,462,590 during his career, I would think money wouldn’t be an issue. Especially with the specter of 300 wins looming.
You implied it yourself; why do all that work to prepare for a season, when you don’t have to?
I don’t understand his “three years or nothing” attitude. Why would he only come back to get 300 wins? How about the chance to win a World Series, the guarantee of playing in the new Stadium, the thrill of playing alongside at least three future Hall of Famers, or the luxury of another 8 figure paycheck? I mean, I know he’s got a family, but look at Greg Maddux — there’s a guy with two kids, but he loves the game so much that he keeps coming back. And why couldn’t he do the Roger Clemens thing where he would be allowed to not make every road trip so he could spend more time with his family? I just don’t get it.
On a more random note, I can’t help but step back and chuckle every now and then at the pursuit of numbers like 300, 500, 2000, 20, or whatever in baseball. Seriously, our society has an unhealthy obsession with the base 10 counting system. Maybe we should just switch to base 9 — then 300 would equate to 243 in base 10 and Moose would already have his milestone. Or maybe base 11 would be more effective, because then winning 20 games would require 22 wins in base 10, and Moose wouldn’t be as satisfied with his 2008 season. Or should I say, his 1566 season.